Seeds for 09/16/2024 - Nehemiah 3:1-32
Scripture:
1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.
3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. 5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
Observation:
Chapter 3 of Nehemiah’s story is a sort of blow-by-blow account of the repair work, at least the beginning of it. As such, there’s a lot of repetition—this gate or section of wall was built by xyz group of people, and so forth. So let’s make observations throughout the chapter rather than break it down into somewhat similar pieces.
First, Nehemiah achieved wide buy-in and participation in his vision to repair the walls and gates of Jerusalem. To read through chapter 3 is to see how many people were ready to say yes to such a project. Nehemiah put his hand in the air and volunteered to lead a group who were ready to be led.
Second, where the upper class failed to take up the work, ordinary folks made sure the project advanced.
“The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.” (3:5)
Just because some prominent folks “would not put their shoulders to the work,” the others persevered and stayed on mission. It’s hard to stick with something when influential people do not support it, but they did.
Third, not only patriarchs and their sons, but at least in one case…
“Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.” (3:12)
Families doing the community’s work together is a powerful witness.
Fourth, at least one person was so enthusiastic—or sufficiently more so than others—it bore mentioning!
“Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.” (3:20, emphasis mine)
Fifth, the project was led by a lay person—Nehemiah—but the clergy were involved too.
“The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region.” (3:22)
Nehemiah’s story tells of an ordinary layperson prayerfully volunteering to address a problem he observed. He felt a conviction and saw that he could make a difference simply by deciding to pursue the Lord about it and then do the work. This simple verse testifies to the participation of the “clergy class” so to speak in the vision and mission led by a godly layperson seeking to respond faithfully before God.
Application:
When have you participated in a work of God that drew together faithful Christians toward a common vision? What impact did that have on your faith?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, show me where and how I can add my contribution to kingdom work you are doing through a leader you have raised up. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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