By the leadership of Nehemiah and Ezra, the city walls has been rebuilt and spiritual life of the people of God renewed. Now they have to concern themselves with getting more people into the underpopulated city of Jerusalem. This was not a new problem since chapter 7, Nehemiah had raised underpopulation as a problem. He tells us in chapter 7 verse 4 “The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.” In order for the city to prosper, it must be populated, and even though with the rebuilding, the people of Judah and Benjamin had been repopulating the city for its reconstruction, it required more people for life in the city to thrive. Now that the key matters of rebuilding worship and wall has been established, they could now put their mind of rebuilding city life.

However, repopulation a new city comes with a price and sacrifices for those who return. Imagine moving back into a city that has not been populated for the last 140 years. This meant that houses will possibly be dilapidated and overgrown, and would require them to build up their own home from scratch. They will not have the luxury of an established city like Singapore where you can apply for a Built To Order (BTO) flat from Housing Development Board (HDB) and move into a brand new home with everything ready and fit for stay instantaneously. They would have to take time to rebuild every window and tile of their own home again.

Basic public amenities like food and water supply, hygiene systems, road networks, and lighting of the streets at night would be work in progress. To make things worse, there were still enemies lurking outside the city ready to fight and kill. Even though the city walls are up for defence, with more population, it would mean more resources for defence and strength in battle against enemies. There would be great uncertainties for new inhabitants to live in. In short, it would be hard work for people to move into the city of Jerusalem.

It was in such a context that the pioneering people began to move into the city in chapter 11. It was appropriate that the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem (verse 1). They led by example and moved in before the rest of the people. They needed to take leadership in the city, and also to inspire their people to follow after. The leaders staying in Jerusalem would not have known much more certainty than the people, but they were expected to take lead in the rebuilding process as if they knew better. They had to carry the responsibilities of leadership upon their shoulders.

Church leadership at any time or season is tough. We commonly focus on the status of the leadership position. We see the visible: the authority and limelight it gives to a person, but often we fail to see the amount of toil and heartache the leader will need to face in the role. We laden the leader with expectations, hoping he or she will be perfect and the know it all, vaguely remembering that the leader also faces the same demon and spiritual battle in his or her heart. In spite of all these, the leader will need to step up to the divine call that God has entrusted the person in position.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must acknowledge the weight of their responsibilities and continue to uplift our church leaders in prayer. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 call us to pray and intercede those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. The bible is clear that we are to pray for our leaders and those in authority. Yet, many of us are so consumed by frustration from our expectations of and broken relationships with our leaders, or even apathy that we stop praying for them. Pray for the leaders, then drop them a message to tell them that you prayed for them, so to bring encouragement. They all need your encouragement.

Prayer: Dear God, it is you who have called a few good men and women in TRBC to rise up and stand in the gap to serve you in the position of leadership. I thank you, oh God for allowing these leaders to fearfully and reverently responded to you in their position of duty. Thank you oh God for I know that you sustain and provide each one of them, for you say that your grace is sufficient for us, and in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, your strength is manifested. It is in this season of leadership challenges; you grace and grow your leaders in spiritual maturity more. But Lord, would you help your leaders experience more of your grace each day, and give them your wisdom to navigate complex challenges with biblical insight. When tempted to lead with human wisdom and pragmatics, Lord, would you steer them back to lead with your heart. Grant them humility and a tender heart to lead and love your people whom you have entrusted to them. In Jesus name we pray, amen.