The Storehouse

By: Patty Nicholas-Boyte

 

Nehemiah 12:25-26 (NASB)

²⁵ Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping watch at the storerooms of the gates. ²⁶ These men served in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.

 

The storehouse in scripture has eighteen direct references in the Old Testament and over sixty-two indirect. The concept of the storehouse can be found hundreds of times throughout both the old and the new testaments. Each time there is someone also mentioned who guarded, kept, or watched over the important structure. There were storehouses for grain, wine, oil, and for the sacred items used in temple worship.

Anything vital for storage, would also require a guard, if not, thieves would break in, rodents would devour, or any number of things could happen and thereby threaten the very survival of the people. God’s miraculous provision can be seen throughout scripture as well as His call of the Watchman or those appointed to guard over God’s storehouse of treasure, which is His people.

While God gave specific instructions on how, and what items to store, Jesus took things further (as He always does) and made what we store a heart issue.

 

Matthew 6:20-21 (NASB)

²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

We are to be Watchman over our hearts and the hearts of those God has entrusted to us.

What can we learn from Nehemiah?

· God Provides, but we need to be good stewards over His provision

· God’s treasure is not earthly treasure. Store up for ourselves treasure in Heaven.

· I need to be a Watchman over all God has entrusted to me.

 

 

There is another reason that we need a Watchman over our storehouse of treasure and that is because our treasures are in jars of clay. Human Beings are in essence fragile vessels. We need the constant care of our Shepherd Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to guide us, as well as those close to us who can hold us accountable. He is the best Watchman of all, and if we follow His guidance, He will never lead us astray.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NASB)

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; ⁸ we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;

What questions can we ask ourselves that can affect change?

1. In what way am I leaving my storehouse unguarded?
2. How can I be a better steward of what God has entrusted to me?
3. Do you have an accountability partner? If not, is there someone you trust who would be willing to hold you accountable?
4. Who is God calling you to watch over, and what Storehouse do you need to guard?

 

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