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Scripture: Nehemiah
2:18, & 3:1-32
18 “And I declare to them
the hand of my God that is good upon me, and also the words of the king
that he said to me, and they say, ‘Let us rise, and we have built;’
and they strengthen their hands for good.”
Young’s Literal Translation
Nehemiah
was ready to move forward with a diverse crew. He saw
“ . . . the hand of my God that
is good upon me.” Nehemiah
2:8b
He
was not about to bow to the nay-sayers.
A. The Diversity of the
Builders
1.
The Priests and Levites
vs. 1 & 17
1Then Eliashib the high
priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate;
17After him the Levites
carried out repairs under Rehum the son of Bani.
This
task required that the ministers roll up their sleeves and join the
laborers. How many times have you seen the Pastors and Elders be
involved hands-on. Sometimes so much so as to hinder their divine
call to "preach the Word in season and out of season!"
Practical wisdom and moderation seem appropriate here.
2. The Goldsmiths and Perfumers vs.
8
8
"Next to him Uzziel the son
of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths made repairs. And next to him Hananiah, one
of the perfumers, made repairs,"
These
fine artisans has to be willing to apply their talents in a way somewhat
foreign to the norm. One of my professors at BBC (in the 50s-60s!)
said preachers had to be ready at a moments notice to speak on any subject
and make it relevant to the occasion through the Word! The
goldsmiths and perfumers likewise had to adapt quickly to an unfamiliar
task. Interesting -- we read of no complaints! The 21st
century churches could use Uzziels and Harhaiahs!
We are blessed with several men and women at GFBC that fit that
gracious profile.
3. The Rulers and the Women
vs. 12
12Next to him Shallum the
son of Hallohesh, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made
repairs, he and his daughters.
How
about this! A District Commissioner and his daughters grab shovels,
trowels and hammers and so the work for God's Holy City progresses.
There are many women in the Bible who were real champions for the
Lord.
4. The Goldsmiths and Merchants
vs. 32
32Between the upper room of
the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants carried out
repairs.
It
was not unusual to see merchants in Florida both in preparation for and in
restoration after the 2004 hurricanes struck. There are times when
urgency is everything and lower priority issues must wait. As
Christians we need to learn the lessons of priorities and
principles.
The
Terri
Schiavo case has brought to light 21st Century issues that were
unheard of just decades ago. Her death raise serious questions about
America's priorities and principles when it comes to life and death.
My heart goes out to the family, but I am dismayed that a thorough
investigation was turned down by the courts. There were simply too
many things that didn't ass up. Even the state governor, the state
and federal congress, and the United States President were blocked by the
courts. Something is very wrong here.
The
goldsmiths and merchants simply went ahead and did what was right.
May God help us to know and do His will in these troubled times.
B. The Designation of the
Builders
There
were over 40 teams. Each of
them had a specific territory encompassing the entire city.
Time does not permit beyond the mention of a few.
(To enlarge, click on the
Map in Nehemiah's Day )
1.
The High Priest and His Brothers vs.
1
Eliashib
the high priest—the grandson of Jeshua,
and the first high priest after the return from Babylon.
He rose up with his
brethren the priests and set an example by commencing the work.
They confined themselves to the sacred localities and they built
the sheep
gate near the temple.
“Its name arose either
from the sheep market, or from the pool of Bethesda, which was there (John
5:2). It was there that the
sheep were washed before being taken to the temple for sacrifice.
They sanctified the gate
and set up the doors which were the common entrance into the temple, and
the first part of the building repaired.” [Ryrie]
“It is probable that
some religious ceremonies were observed in gratitude for its completion.
“It was the first-fruits, and therefore, in the sanctification of it,
the whole lump and building was sanctified” [Poole].
We rejoice in the fact that
the Lamb of God has come and has sanctified us by the sacrifice of His own
blood once for all time. Furthermore, Peter says we are protected by the
wall of His sovereign grace.
1st Peter 1:3-5; 3 “Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great
mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain
an inheritance which
is
imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for
you, 5 who are
protected
by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in
the last time.”
Add to that what Paul says
about the sanctity of our bodies.
19Or do you not know that
your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from
God, and that you are not your own? 20For you have been bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1st
Corinthians 6:19, 20
Friends, that word,
protected, literally means to be “garrisoned about.”
As a believer, you are God’s
very own “walled temple!” Do
not let the detractors and the SANBALLATS hinder your walk and service for
God.
2.
The Home Owners; Those
assigned to repair the wall in front of their houses would be
especially motivated.
“Next to them Jedaiah
the son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house.”
Nehemiah
3:10 See also vv.
23, 28-30.
These
home owners were eager to see their city secure once again.
We can identify with that especially after the 9-11 attack.
The answer is not found simply in “walled cities.”
Our country’s strength will be found in her dependence upon the
Living God. Paul says . . .
1First of all, then, I urge
that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on
behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are
in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all
godliness and dignity. 3This is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator also between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a
ransom for all, the testimony | 
