The text of this lesson is a prime example of what a lot of people think of when they make excuses as to why they don’t read the Bible. An exhaustive list of unpronounceable names of people (take a run at some of them) living a long time ago in a land far away doing a bunch of things that seemingly have no bearing on our lives today.

Except that it actually does have something to do with us.

DIG

Even after three waves of return by exiles, the situation in Jerusalem was shaky. It was one thing to rebuild the ruined wall. But the city still needed inhabitants, to live, teach, run business … and to defend it from lurking enemies.

To repopulate the holy city, two means were employed. One out of every ten were chosen by lot, a process that had long been used to select people or make choices (even into the New Testament, the same process would be used to designate the apostolic successor to Judas in Acts 1: 15-26). The other way was by those who saw a need and stepped up: “The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.” (Neh. 11:2).

• How does the practice of the people casting lots relate to the concept of firstfruits found in
  Exodus 22:29, 23: 16, 19?
• As Christians we have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:23) as a down payment on our inheritance of salvation. What effect should this have on our thinking, behavior, and attitudes?
• In what ways can we volunteer for the Lord to make a difference in our church, family, community and world?

So much of biblical history is the story of God’s people forgetting instead of remembering. When they forgot God’s greatness and traded him for idols, when they forgot his deliverance and supposed their power saved them from their enemies, when they forgot his law and substituted their own, and when they forgot his patience had limits…they learned life’s lessons the hard way.

Apply this to Nehemiah’s time. The nation had been defeated, their city destroyed, the temple demolished and the best and brightest carried off into exile. But faithful to his promises, God brought them back, and they started the work of rebuilding.

And now it was time to celebrate.

Nehemiah 12: 27-43 details the ceremony of the dedication of the wall. It was a time of music, singing, sacrifices, praise…and rejoicing.

• Who is it that gives us great joy? (Neh. 12:43).
• Why do we need to celebrate the great things the Lord had done for us?
• In what ways does celebration translate into remembrance?
• What reasons do you have in your life today for celebration?

From this discussion, what are those things you feel compelled to pray about?
Pray about these matters one by one and bring them before your Heavenly Father.