Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer in Persia. He’d been taken captive from Israel to Persia during the Babylonian exile. When he heard of the broken state of Jerusalem and of those who had returned after their exile, he wept and petitioned the king for permission to return and repair the walls. He boldly asked for money and materials for the work—which he was granted.
When Nehemiah arrived, he surveyed the condition of Jerusalem alone and at night—and then gathered the officials and told them of his plan to repair the walls. Their reply was, “Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”
The people divided up the work according to where they lived in the city. Nehemiah 3 records those who did the work. As you read it and look at the map, you can see where each family constructed their part of the wall. They couldn’t just build any old wall—it had to be uniform, stable, strong, and precise. In other words, they had to plan and work together. It only took 52 days to build the wall!
As I read this account, one thing stood out to me. Verse 5. “Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.” Throughout the chapter, we’re told of unlikely people who helped: goldsmiths, perfumers, daughters, and priests. People who probably knew very little about building—but who were willing to help. Everyone except for these nobles.
What is the work of the Lord today? Telling people about Jesus, discipling, prayer—building the Church. If God were to record those who were helping with the construction, would our names be on that list?
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