Nehemiah 11

The gates were finished, the walls were built. Something you would imagine being a momentous, celebratory homecoming became like pulling teeth. The Holy City of Jerusalem had been restored, but no one wanted to move back in. As we read these lists of names, we must understand that for the exiles, moving back into the city wasn’t as dreamy as it sounds in a story. 

For many of these people returning to the city meant that they would need to rebuild their homes and businesses, something that would take time and money. Living in such close proximity to the temple meant they would be required to live under a stricter obedience to God’s word and being a resident of Jerusalem often meant being ostracized by non-Jews.

Isn’t that often the case with us today? We are saved through faith in Jesus, and immediately become labeled by others. We are asked to walk in a new way, responding obediently to what we read in scripture. We are asked outside our comfort zones and into a new life. 

Jesus is worth it. Our Heavenly Father will ask us to do hard things, but we get to live in the promise that He is always with us and we have a beautiful inheritance.