Nehemiah
chapter 3 is an easy one to skip over. Like so many of the chapters
with lists of names, we treat it like someone else’s boring home
movies. We yawn and say, “Gosh, look at the time, I really have to
go”. As we stop to read through it, one thing is clear; virtually
everyone helped in this enormous building project. It reminds me
that every one of us can be used in God’s Plan for restoration. As
we read the names and their occupations and the sections of the wall
they rebuilt, we notice that there are no carpenters, or stone
cutters of masons mentioned. You do not need the title of Reverend
or Minister to help build His church. The chapter begins, “Eliashib
the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the
Sheep Gate“.
I’m sure there is some deeper significance to this, but I just see
the top banana getting dirty repairing a gate because it needed to be
done. He was not in the VIP section; he was in the midst of the
regular folks. “The
men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri
built next to them. The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of
Hassenaah“.
I also notice the chapter includes families, groups and individuals
mentioned by name. We serve a very personal God. There is no
anonymity to the Lord, but frequently ministry creates togetherness.
“God
sets the individuals in families”
(Psalm 68:6). Perhaps it is time to join in on restoration project?
It
is interesting that everyone worked with one notable exception. The
nobles from Tekoa “would
not put their shoulders to the work“.
Romans chapter 12 reminds us, “not
to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think“.
Pride separates. What keeps people from asking for forgiveness?
What keeps us feeling alone? The chapter continues, “Uzziel
son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section;
and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that.
They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall”.
In our day to day lives, we can honor God by just working with the
right attitude. You might think you are just creating a spreadsheet,
or replying to another email, but if you work “heartily,
as to the Lord and not to men”
(Colossians 3:23), you might be encouraging the person next to you
without even knowing it. What does your attitude at work say about
your God? Ephesians 4:2 reminds describes how we should live at home
or work, “bearing
with one another in love“.
Are you just a bear to be around?
The
last point I see is that much of the work of rebuilding the wall
around Jerusalem took place close to home. “The
priests made repairs, each in front of his own house…
Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house… Next to him,
Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph,
repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah
made repairs opposite his living quarters“.
I wonder home many people think of missionary work as something you
do in a far off land. I believe most of us could simply walk out our
front door and look to the left or right and find people in need.
Here is the point, when we focus on ourselves; we miss seeing the
needs around us. In contrast, when we help others, we are often
blessed in the process. “Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has
loved us and given us
everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts
and establish you in every good word and work”
(2 Thessalonians 2:16).