Nehemiah

Plot Twist

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

A plot twist is only truly effective if the reader or viewer of the story has little to no premonition or warning of the twist, causing an exclamation of, “Woah! I didn’t see that coming!” In my opinion, a well designed plot twist is one of the most deliciously satisfying morsels placed at strategic points in a story or revealed at its astonishing conclusion. One beautiful example of this technique is the 1999 Oscar nominated psychological thriller, The Sixth Sense, in which the writer and director, M. Night Shyamalan, included numerous verbal and color clues to hint at the story lying below the surface of the main plot. Some of these “tips” seemed so obvious to him, that he second-guessed himself on several occasions and wondered whether he should remove them from the film prior to its release. Alas, he left them in and made the plot twist at the film’s conclusion even more powerful.

Similarly, as we read the final chapter of Nehemiah’s account, we are initially surprised by its concluding plot twist. Previously, Israel – convicted by the reading of the Torah – reinstated the annual festivals, confessed their sins, promised to steadfastly follow the Lord, and enthusiastically worshiped and celebrated God’s faithfulness (see chs. 8-12). It seems like we will witness a happy end, right? Yet there are hints throughout Israel’s history and the writings of the prophets indicating an upcoming plot twist. As a matter of fact, the hints are quite obvious if we know what to look for. Israel’s relationship with God is simply a non-stop cycle of rebellion, that begins with sin and moves through oppression, repentance, deliverance, and peace, only to begin again with sin. So, as Nehemiah concludes, Israel has already grown complacent in its obedience and broken its promises made just a few chapters earlier. How can this be? Why can’t God’s people get out of their own way? How can they continually forget His grace and mercy?

The truth is that we are not much different than God’s people, Israel! While the Apostle Peter describes believers as “… a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, … called … out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9), the Apostle John indicates that we, like Israel, continue to battle sin:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(1 John 1:8)

Even the great missionary to the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul, continued to wrestle with sin and recognized its sinfulness (Rom 7:15-20). Similar to Israel, we need more than external reform by following a set of rules to shake sinful habits. Following rules, no matter how determined we are, simply is not sustainable, because it doesn’t change our heart. We need a heart that is alive and beats with passion for God’s glory. So, John gives further help:

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
(1 John 3:9)

By God’s grace and through faith in Jesus’ atoning work, we are born again into God’s family (Jn 3:5-7). Our dead heart is replaced by a new, living heart and we are metamorphosed into an entirely new creation (2 Cor 5:14-15, 17). Practically speaking, God, the Holy Spirit takes residence in us. He guides us into truth (Jn 16:13) and convicts us of sin and righteousness (Jn 16:7-11). Also, He produces fruit in our life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Finally, we are given the privilege to call on our Heavenly Father at any time and from any place, admitting our limitations and turning to Him for strength to do what is right (1 Jn 5:14-15).

It is shocking how often we are surprised by our sinful failures as if they were a plot twist. Our repeated failures are part of the battle we continue to wage in our flesh, plain and simple. We should be vigilant, but never surprised. By the way … Never forget! When you fall into that sin that continues to stalk and trap you, repent and be engulfed by His grace and mercy!

Romans 7:15-20 (ESV) – “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

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True Courage

Matt Otto D-Groups , , ,

Courage takes various forms. However, one thing is for certain: courage is never self-serving but rather fuels gospel witness! Consequently, for a follower of Jesus the alternative – cowardice – is not an option. No wonder that even a cursory reading of the Bible shows that God calls His children to be courageous and bold (Deut 31:6-7; Joshua 1:6-7, 9; 1 Chron 28:2; Acts 4:13, 9:27-28, et al.) while lending His presence and support.

As the story of Nehemiah climbs to its celebratory climax in chapter 12, we are reminded that Jerusalem remained largely uninhabited (Neh 7:4). Despite the temple and city walls having been rebuilt and restored, the former exiles remained in the surrounding villages and towns. So, in order to repopulate the city, one out of every ten individuals was chosen to move into its confines through the means of casting lots. Additionally, volunteers courageously joined the plea to move to God’s city. Nehemiah describes the process this way:

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 11:1-2)

Courage originates from within, from the heart (cor, latin for heart), and is not an absence of fear, but the triumph over it. Those who voluntarily offered to live in Jerusalem are described as “valiant men” (v. 6), “men of valor” (v. 8), and even “mighty men of valor” (v. 14). In other words, they were courageous! Why was their volunteerism considered courageous? Because, with the completion of the temple, the rebuilding of the wall, and the hanging of the gates, Jerusalem became a target for marauding armies. It became a dangerous place to live. Furthermore, their move likely required a change in occupation, loss of income, and uncertainty of their future. Nevertheless, the volunteers recognized their return from the Babylonian captivity as an opportunity to glorify the LORD who brought them back. Since they owed everything to this faithful and gracious One, they freely offered themselves to Him – to do what He wanted them to do and go where He wanted them to go. By inhabiting Jerusalem, they signified that it was God’s city from which He was to be made known to the world.

Pastor J.D. Greear insists that “courage believes not only that God is bigger than the opposition but also better than all the alternatives.” This type of courage should be evident in the life of every Christian – yours and mine! It should astonish the lookers and the listeners, because, though we are frail and simple, we never lack the presence and support of our Savior when we do His work in His way and for His glory.

Acts 4:13 (ESV) – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

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Walking the Walk

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

Talk is cheap, but actions are expensive!

It is incredibly easy to discuss needs, make promises, and talk of doing something. It is an entirely different thing to put discussion, talk, and promises into action. Most of us experience this truth at the same time every year when we make our New Year’s resolutions. We discuss our need to exercise more consistently, read more broadly, budget more faithfully, and so on. We then promise to fulfill these good intentions. Finally, we talk and share our goals with others only to realize that we are usually incapable of meeting these goals. Similarly, changing and growing in our spiritual life takes more than talk and good intentions. It is costly, demands action, and requires the Holy Spirit’s work.

Nehemiah 10 is the logical extension of the written promise that God’s people signed at the conclusion of the preceding chapter. Chapter 9 records Israel’s prayer of confession, detailing the history of their habitual disobedience and God’s faithful patience and forgiveness. The next chapter begins with God’s people, from the leadership on down, taking three action-steps to ensure that their confession and promise are not just empty words. They will walk in God’s Word, separate themselves unto God, and support worship of God. The first of these three action steps is foundational for the success of the other two and for our spiritual success as well:

… the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes. (Nehemiah 10:28-29)

The Word of God has the power to save, cleanse, and sanctify. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is able to do what our pitiful promises and our impotent intentions cannot. Yet, we often forget that its transformative power is unleashed only when we “walk” in it, allowing it to become part of our very being (Col 3:16). Walking in the Word doesn’t just happen on its own. It is costly. Resembling physical walking, it demands balance, skill, and has a predetermined destination in mind. To put it more clearly, it starts with personal study and takes continued practice to “walk the walk of the Word” and move toward a deeper relationship with Jesus that is consistently fruitful.

So, “meditate” on the Word! As one Hebrew scholar, Chad Bird, defined the term based on Isaiah 31:4: “When you meditate, you are a lion crouching over its prey. You are the eater and the Word is your food. Take a bite, chew it, taste it, crunch the verbs, salivate over the nouns. There is no rush… Savor the feast. Growl over the words you swallow.” Begin today. And if you falter, start again. Remember, it takes practice to walk. Don’t quit!

Psalm 1:1-4 (ESV) – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

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Lost In Translation

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

The Bible – God’s Word – is truly remarkable! On the one hand, it is a complex literary masterpiece, incorporating a multitude of literary genres and expressing a broad spectrum of emotions. On the other hand, it is incredibly simple in its central message, prompting some cynics to label it as “silly” or “illogical”. It is widely recognized as being comprised of 66 books and being written over the course of nearly 2000 years, by 40 authors, on three continents, and in three languages, yet it “is the story of one problem – sin – with one solution, Jesus Christ” (Geisler & Nix, 194). We must conclude that the Bible is both incredibly intricate while remaining singularly unified in its message and doctrine.

There is another reason the Bible is remarkable and like nothing ever written – it has the power to transform and bring joy. As Nehemiah puts the finishing touches on the re-construction of Jerusalem’s walls and gates, his attention shifts to the re-consecration of God’s people who are to populate God’s holy city. Since Jerusalem and the Jewish people play an integral part in God’s plan for the redemption of the nations, Nehemiah begins the dedicatory process by re-introducing the people to the Law of Moses and, by doing so, reminding them of their commitment to the Lord and His faithful promises (Deut 6:1-9). With the help of Ezra the priest and a trained group of Levites, the people hear and respond to the Scriptures:

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also … the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. (Nehemiah 8:5-8)

Based on the text, God’s people needed to have God’s Word explained to them. For some reason the Scriptures had become so foreign to them that its truths and commands were lost in translation and needed clarification. God’s Word needed to be introduced into their presence (Neh 8:2), opened to them (v. 5), and finally explained (vv. 7-8). Their response was both physical and spiritual. “Truth, truth,” they answered as they lifted “up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (v. 6). Interestingly, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites admonished the people not to mourn or weep, but rejoice. Why? Certainly the Bible is to bring conviction and lead to repentance, right?

Yes. The Bible is a deposit and treasure worth guarding (2 Tim 1:14). It is breathed out by God and is profitable in knowing what is right, what is not right, how to get right, and how to stay right (see 2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, it is the primary tool God uses for our sanctification. It is a seed that produces life (1 Pet 1:23). And, as it does, it brings joy because God’s grace is applied. Mourning leads to comfort and dancing (Matt 5:4; Ps 30:11).

So keep the Bible near you at all times. Open it often. Memorize it. Study it. Listen to it! It is milk that nourishes (1 Pet 2:2), sweet as honey from the comb (Ps 119:103), and a lamp that gives light (Ps 119:105).

Psalm 119:33-37 (ESV) –
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.”

Source
Geisler, Norman & Nix, William. 1986. A General Introduction to the Bible. Chicago: Moody.

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Finish Line

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

The Apostle Paul speaks quite frequently about running the race. He speaks of the need for commitment, stamina, and discipline (1 Cor 9:25-26), as well as the urgency to finish (2 Tim 4:7), and the aim to win the prize (Phil 3:14). But what exactly is Paul referring to when he uses the metaphor of a race?

In the simplest of terms, the “race” is the Christian life. With that in mind, it should be noted that life is a marathon, not a sprint. Since we are called to stay the course and remain faithful to the end, the race demands a consistent tempo and tenacious drive. As a matter of fact, Paul used the following terms to describe the race metaphor near the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

While our ultimate example for running the race is Jesus (see Heb 12:1-3), we can certainly learn from others like the Apostle Paul or faithful God-followers like Nehemiah. And even though we may have little information about the end of Nehemiah’s life, all indications are that he ran a race that included a successful finish. The first half of the book that bears his name shows him to be a man of prayer, organization, courage, care, humility, insight, and decisiveness. It concludes with the completion of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the hanging of its gates:

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

Even casual readers of the Bible will notice that life’s race is best run by setting goals along the course. Similar to a marathon, life is filled with continual interruptions, strenuous climbs, unexpected turns, and inevitable aches and pains. The historical account of Nehemiah doesn’t conclude in chapter 6 or at the beginning of chapter 7. The completion of Jerusalem’s construction project is simply a marker indicating Nehemiah’s progress and God’s faithful guidance. With the help of Ezra, Nehemiah will have more to do in consecrating God’s people. Yet, for now he was assured of being on the right course, keeping his eyes on a good and faithful God.

Whatever God has given you to do, do it with all your might. Along the way, exhaustion will set in and interruptions agitate. Remain committed! Some stretches will seem easy and self-confidence will rear its ugly head. Remain humble! A hill will appear insurmountable and intimidating. Remain bold and trust the Lord! Loneliness will occasionally lead to carelessness. Remain watchful! Keep your eyes on Jesus who is waiting for you at the finish line!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

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Hail to the Victor

Matt Otto D-Groups , , ,

Many of us have experienced the convenience of flying across the country or around the world. For others, stepping onto a plane that is about to take flight is petrifying. Regardless of your disposition, manned flight seemed like a fairytale a little over 120 years ago. That is until Wilbur and Orville Wright proved it to be possible on December 17, 1903. Four times the brothers tested their aircraft that day, each flight with increasing success – the final test carried Wilbur a distance of 852 feet and for 59 seconds. Yet, much of the general public refused to believe their account let alone that flight was possible. Nevertheless, the Wright brothers were steadfast in their pursuits, leading to advancements in aviation that the two could never have imagined!

Nehemiah 4-5 demonstrates the importance of remaining undeterred – faithful to God and committed to His cause regardless of the resistance or opposition. This opposition is inevitable when people are dedicated to God’s work. When good things happen in God’s name and for God’s glory, enemies are angered and agitated. They disparage, discourage, and bully in every way possible. This was the case when God’s people came together to rebuild the walls and repair the gates of Jerusalem (Neh 3). Similarly, when the local church rolls up its sleeves and begins to see souls saved, sins forsaken, and relationships restored, enemies look for breaches in the wall and discouragement among the laborers.

Still, woven throughout the entire narrative is an unwavering trust in a God “who is great and awesome” and an unflinching “fight” for His cause and His people (Neh 4:14). In preparing for a possible enemy attack, Nehemiah took God’s sovereignty in one hand and his human responsibility in the other. His leadership demonstrated the undeniable correlation between God’s trustworthiness and our toil, between God’s providence and our preparedness:

“In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. (Nehemiah 4:20-21)

So, when we face the inevitable resistance that comes with a life committed to Gospel-service, that is fixed on loving God and people, and that is determined to bring Him joy, we keep going. We do so, because we know that trials and tribulations are not an end unto themselves. Rather, they help us to grow in our service and our soul. Overcoming opposition demonstrates that we are new creations (2 Cor 5:17), that He has freed us from sin (Rom 6:6-7), and that Jesus is the Victor (Col 2:15). Hail to the Victor!

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV) – “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

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Building Together

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , ,

In my teen years I used to build model cars and airplanes. They were intricate, consisting of many tiny parts that needed to be carefully filed, painted, and eventually, glued together to form the final design. It took some planning, following directions, and devoting attention to detail to make the replica worth setting out for others to see and admire. Looking at the planes hanging from my bedroom ceiling or the cars displayed on my bookshelves gave me a sense of pride.

Israel and the city of Jerusalem were God’s pride and joy. God states of His chosen people, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will show My glory” (Isa 49:3, NASV). Regarding the city of Jerusalem God promises, “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory … You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (Isa 62:1-3, ESV). Yet, in Nehemiah’s day, both had become a “disgrace”. Israel had neglected God and Jerusalem was left lying in ruins (Neh 2:17). So, for the sake of God’s testimony to the nations, Nehemiah mobilized the people to consecrate themselves and rebuild the city. Israel and Jerusalem were again to become God’s glory on display.

The New Testament “showpiece” that stands for God’s glory and is to make Him known to the nations is the Church. She is described as the Bride, loved by Jesus. She is also described as the Body, guided by Jesus. Her beauty and vitality are to display God’s love and unity (John 17:22-23) to a broken and dying world.

That means every part of the church must grow in Christlikeness and participate in building one another up. Similar to the cooperative effort that rebuilt the gates and the walls of Jerusalem, members of the church are called to work as one and for one another. Paul puts it this way as he writes to the believers in Corinth and Rome respectively:

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor 12:27)

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them … (Romans 12:4-6)

Clearly, every believer is to participate in the life and ministry of the “showpiece” of God. It is not reserved for the professionals, for the seemingly-perfect, or for the ultra-gifted. On the contrary, every part of the work is essential and sacred according to 1 Corinthians 10:31. All you need to be is faithful, available, and teachable. Dedicate and consecrate yourself today to make the Bride beautiful and the Body healthy. As a matter of fact, let me recommend taking someone along. Build together!

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV) – “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

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Follow and Lead!

Matt Otto D-Groups , , ,

It has been said that leadership and followership cannot be separated. One’s followership sets the pattern for one’s leadership. Nowhere is this truth more apparent than in the life of a Christian.

Being a Christian means that you are a disciple of Jesus, and being a disciple of Jesus means that you are a follower. You follow the Master, surrendering to His authority, His teaching, and His purpose for your life. Your very existence is centered around His very presence. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus describes this pursuit to His disciples in the following way:

And [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:23-25).

Following Jesus is illustrated by self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and losing or forfeiting oneself. The terminology is shocking to the unbeliever while completely reasonable to the believer. Clearly, following Jesus is costly and difficult, requiring the surrender of one’s entire life. However, Jesus’ disciples find Him to be the priceless and all-satisfying Treasure, worthy of complete commitment.

In Nehemiah 2, we observe a man who is a model leader in lieu of his faithful pursuit of God. Despite the suffering of God’s people and the condition of God’s Holy City, Nehemiah is undeterred in following God. Even though neither disciple nor follower are used in the text, it is clear that Nehemiah was an ardent worshiper of God. His worldview placed God smack-dab in the center of every part of life. Nehemiah recognized that God is good, that He is with His people, and that He is for them (Neh 2:20). Consequently, there was no compartmentalizing between “real” life and “spiritual” life. Rather they were one and the same. The God of our joys is also the God of our sufferings.

The impression that we are left with in God’s Word is that the almighty, sovereign Creator of the universe, by grace is all that He is for you (Isaiah 40). The question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we following Him closely enough that it affects our perspective and emulates the life of our Savior?” It is in this way that our Savior catches the eye of the blind and the soul of the cynic, because they observe that He overcomes our anxiety, lessens our need to control, and satisfies our every longing.

Nehemiah 1:5-6 (ESV) – “And I said, ‘O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.’”

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