February 21, 2003
Nehemiah having built the wall, and set up the doors, appointed two persons to take the charge of the city, and set watches for the safety of it, and to take special care about opening and shutting the gates of it, #Ne 7:1-3, and concerned he was for the peopling of it, and having found a register of the first comers to it, gives their names, #Ne 7:4-69 and some account of the freewill offerings made for the work they came about, #Ne 7:70-73. (Gill)
V. 2, Nehemiah had promised to return to Persia, and now he makes preparation for that return. He gave charge of the city with the rebuilt walls to his brother Hanani (who brought the account of the distressed state of Jerusalem to him in Persia), and Hannaniah, who was a faithful man.
Thus, both of these men had proved themselves faithful. Only men who have proved themselves faithful are to be exalted over others.
V. 4, the city was large, but few people were in it, and few houses built. How many church buildings are large with few people in them? Fewer yet whose houses are built – that is, they are unsaved.
V. 5 records an important fact in view of the coming Messiah. Nehemiah found a register of the genealogy among those who first came from Babylon to Jerusalem. These came with Zerubbabel. This genealogy was very important for with it, the line of the Messiah must be traced to David, Abraham and Adam.
V. 61, in order to be a true Jew, Israelite, one had to show his father' house, which cannot be done today, nor is their any need to do it. the Messiah has come, and the Aaronic Priesthood is done. The present day Israel is not the biblical Israel, regardless of what is being taught today. See Ezra 2:59.
V. 63, the daughters of Barzillai... This is many years after Barzillai showed kindness to King David. His children were still serving the Lord. It pays to serve God.
V. 64, without the genealogy, there could be no priesthood. That genealogy is gone today.