The Israelites Who Lived Outside The City
August 9, 2021
Commentary
The towns south of Jerusalem, from the Hinnom Valley just south of the city as far as Beersheba, were those in the territory belonging to the tribe of Judah. Those north of Jerusalem stretching to the neighboring province of Samaria were towns of Benjamin. These were the two sections of the Persian province of (Judah). Nehemiah mentioned 17 prominent towns in Judah (vv. 25-30), and 15 in Benjamin (vv. 31-35). The Levites lived among the other people, as when the Israelites first entered the Promised Land under Joshua, to be a good influence (v. 36). “In a time when self-centeredness seems to dominate Western life-styles, the Word of God calls us to work and live together as a community, to be dependent upon one another, and to help one another in achieving the task God has set before us.”
The gatekeepers or porters guarded the gates of the city (vv. 20-21). There were 172 of them. The rest of the people lived in their various family inheritances throughout the land. This included other priests and Levites. Also the Nethinim lived in a place named Ophel. The Nethinim were people who assisted the Levites in their jobs around the temple. (Ezra 8:20). The overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem was a man named Uzzi (vv. 22-23). He was also a descendant of Asaph, so he was one of the singers in charge of the worship in the temple. The king’s deputy states that the deputy of the king was a man named Pethahiah of the tribe of Judah (v. 24). He apparently represented the Persian king in all matters concerning the people. Though the Israelites had been allowed to return to Judah, the king of Persia still maintained power over them. This man was apparently his appointed representative. People living in the other cities of Judah are listed where various Jews lived (vv. 25-30). They generally lived south of Jerusalem (v30). We are also told that some of the Levites that had been assigned to Judea lived in the territory of Benjamin (vv.31-36).
Application
I must be willing to live in whatever community God places me in and do what He wants me to do.
Nehemiah 11:20– 36 (NET)
20 And the rest of the Israelites, with the priests and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own property.
21 The temple attendants were living on Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were over them.
22 The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the singers responsible for the service of the temple of God. 23 For they were under royal orders which determined their activity day by day.
24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was an adviser to the king in every matter pertaining to the people.
25 As for the settlements with their fields, some of the people of Judah settled in Kiriath Arba and its neighboring villages, in Dibon and its villages, in Jekabzeel and its settlements, 26 in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet, 27 in Hazar Shual, in Beer Sheba and its villages, 28 in Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages, 29 in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam and their settlements, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its villages. So they were encamped from Beer Sheba to the Valley of Hinnom.
31 Some of the descendants of Benjamin settled in Geba, Micmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, 32 in Anathoth, Nob, and Ananiah, 33 in Hazor, Ramah, and Gittaim, 34 in Hadid, Zeboyim, and Neballat, 35 in Lod, Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen. 36 Some of the Judean divisions of the Levites settled in Benjamin.
Illustration: Men Who Said The Hole is Not On Our End of The Boat
People who refuse to get involved in problems of their community are like the two shipwrecked men in a lifeboat. From their end of the boat, the pair watched as those at the other end bailed frantically to keep the boat afloat. The one said to the other, “Thank heaven, the hole is not on our end of the boat.” (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).