11:20 The reason for selecting 10% of the population of the land to dwell in Jerusalem was to ensure the security of the city. However there was no sin in those who remained in the villages. They could not all live in Jerusalem else the rest of the land would have fallen into the hands of Israel's enemies. Likewise we can not all be involved in a particular task so we should not feel guilty just because we are unable to perform some task in the Ecclesia.

11:20 In saying that the residue lived in the cities of Judah we see an accurate comment for the cities that are now mentioned are in Judah. So incidentally we learn that the extent of the land that was inhabited by Jews in the days of Nehemiah was quite limited.

11:23 There had been a need to encourage people to go to Jerusalem. 10% of the population had gone. There were things to do, an enemy to withstand and service to keep. It is against that background that the ‘singers’ are required. Whilst it might have been thought that singers in the temple was a luxury that had to be dispensed with it was actually seen as a valuable job that had to be don. Thus it can be seen that continual praise to God was a priority, even in difficult circumstances.

11:36 This seemingly casual comment that there were Levites in Judah and Benjamin masks a significant point. Nehemiah was not simply concerned with the situation in Jerusalem. He was also concerned to maintain the spirituality of the rest of the land.

3:1 Notice that whilst the message is directed against 'Israel' it is for 'the whole family' which was brought out of Egypt. Israel and Judah thought that they were different 'fellowships' but such distinctions do not exist with the Father.

3:2 It is noteworthy that Yahweh's controversy with the Gentile cities which hated Israel is brief: "I will send a fire." But Israel had been brought into the place of privilege and so of responsibility, and the Lord's indictment is detailed and unsparing.

Vs.3-5 Yahweh asks a series of questions illustrating cause and effect: two people cannot walk (grow, flourish) together unless there is mutual agreement; lions will roar (as a sign of protective ownership) when they are in possession of food; a bird cannot be caught unless a trap is set for it; and no-one will set a trap unless there is prospect of a catch; a warning trumpet evokes fear in the people; and if disaster comes it is because Yahweh has caused it (v.6 cf. Isa 45:7). 

Yahweh is illustrating how sin separates His people from Him.  The cause of righteousness, from Israel, will have an effect on the relationship with Yahweh.

V.7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (KJV). This powerful statement shows how Yahweh works to declare His counsel.  Prophets have been chosen, throughout time, as instruments to announce Yahweh's will. 

Yahweh's will has been written down so that believers of all generations can gain wisdom and understanding.  The Bible is that declaration of God's will and plan with humankind.  Salvation is possible by reading it (2Tim 3:15).

3:3 We might be inclined to think that the ‘two’ who could not walk together were Israel and Judah. However the problem was more serious than this. Neither Israel nor Judah was able to walk with God, unlike Enoch – Gen 5:22 – because their behaviour was so abhorrent to Him.

3:3  This verse regarding two acting in a spirit of unity & agreement, links up with Matt 18:19,20 The passage in Matthew is often interpreted as indicating that it doesn't matter how small a group of believers is in order for the Lord to be present. Actually, in the context of the whole passage Matt 18:15-20 , the idea is the same as that in Amos ie that the spirit of unity is indicated by their being together (& therefore the Lord is present with them).

3:9-10 It seems that the prophet was concerned that the nations round about Israel would see the judgements against Israel. this would show them that the God of Israel will not tolerate falsehood in His people. Lest those nations thought that Israel’s God was powerless.

3:2 A fundamental principle is taught here. Because God had brought Israel out of Egypt they had a responsibility to respond to God’s love. Because they were not doing so He was going to punish them more than the nations who did not know Him.

3:14 The ‘visit’ that God is speaking of is the Assyrian invasion which eventually took Hoshea captive

V.10,17,18,19 - After being cautioned about the love of money we read of how those with wealth can best comport themselves.

6:20  The danger of ‘vain babbling’ is that the one babbling end us in error abut the things of the gospel. Sometimes the irrelevant things which we think are so important become a snare to us and pride, getting in the way, separates brethren.

6:6-10 the idea of the love of money goes back to Ecc 5:10  A good test of how much we love money/material goods, is to ask ourselves how satisfied we are with what we have.

6:8 The injunction to contentment is based on Prov 30:8

6:7    It is difficult for us to appreciate that ‘we brought nothing into this world’. We often behave as if we have achieved great things and the wealth or possessions that we have are a product of our own efforts.

V.7 The truth of this verse reminds me of a funny observation.                                                        There were two Jewish gentlemen, Cohen and Shapiro, who attended the funeral of their friend Goldberg.  Cohen said to Shapiro: You know Goldberg was a very wealthy man - how much did he leave? Shapiro turned to Cohen and coolly replied: All of it!

6:10 we see in 1Tim 6:6 that Godliness is what to strive for. The contrast, the love of money, produces just the opposite to Godliness in a believer – though it seems t offer short term benefits!

6:11 ‘meekness’ is not an attribute that the world respects. Meekness is taken as a sign of weakness. However Moses – Num 12:5– was the meekest man on earth, yet he could lead a nation! His trust was in God and not in himself.