Background
The walls of Jerusalem are about two and a half miles long, forty feet high and eight feet thick. Rebuilding them was no small task for Nehemiah so he set about it in a systematic way.
Bible Reading: Nehemiah 3:1-4,28-32
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests rebuilt the Sheep Gate. 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. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section.
Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. 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. Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
A Reflection
God had a vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and to return his people in safety back to their Promised Land. Nehemiah had a heart to rebuild the walls and the skill to delegate the work and to see it fulfilled.
In Nehemiah chapter 3, the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem starts with the rebuilding of the Sheep Gate by Eliashib and his fellow priests. It then continues in a total of forty-one sections, built by different families, priests, individuals and merchants, through two and a half mile and ten city gates, right round and back to the Sheep Gate, which is finished by the goldsmiths and merchants.
We may struggle with the names mentioned in the passage, but God doesn’t. He knew each of them by name and he knows each of us by name. You are important to God and the work he has called you to do is important too, it is designed just for you.
God is building his Kingdom, a process that involves each of us taking our place and working on the section that is before us, with the gifts and skills that he has given us. We are part of a much bigger picture. Only God can see the bigger picture for now; one day we too will see it in its full glory. In the meantime let us faithfully build our part of God's kingdom, working in harmony with those he has placed next to us.
Pray:
Lord, I offer myself to you; build your kingdom in my heart and in my life, and in the hearts and lives of those who are building next to me.
Amen
Come, set Your rule and reign,