Nehemiah 3
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Nehemiah 3:1-7, 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. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 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. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.[a]
The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah—Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth—places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates.
In this chapter, we find God’s people getting to work rebuilding the wall around the city of Jerusalem. What’s fascinating to me about this text is the detail. I only listed the first seven verses (please read the whole text to get the full picture) but we can see how individual people are given credit for their contribution to this important work. This wall they were rebuilding would protect the city and its inhabitants from invaders and those who opposed them. Before anyone could sleep well at night or prosper at all, they needed protection. These men of God ensured that happened.
And the author lists the names. I love this! Each contribution was important. These were real people who stopped their lives for a period of time to do God’s work. They didn’t work on the wall to get famous (I’m guessing they had no idea their name would show up in the best-selling book of all time!) They did what they felt God calling them to do – the humble but necessary work.
Think of all those people who have gone before us, who did the humble and necessary work, to invest in our lives, our Christian journeys, and this church. As I think about my last 26 years at New Hope, many faces and names come to mind, people who led my Bible studies, prayed for me, invested in me, fed me, led this church, took care of my children in the nursery, and basically created a way for me to learn, grow, and prosper in my faith. These were real people who made what may have seemed like humble or simple contributions but yet changed the course of my Christian walk.
What about you? Who are those people who made the humble and necessary contributions which led you to where you are right now? Take a moment, name them, and give thanks for their lives. If possible, reach out and tell them the difference they made. If that isn’t possible, just give a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving, giving glory to the God who created them and placed them in your life.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Thank you for the humble servants who cared for me, invested in me, and did the little and big things to help me grow in my Christian walk. How grateful I am! Lord, help me be part of the humble and necessary work of your Kingdom. I love you, Jesus!!! Amen.