A Monumental Task
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A Monumental Task
A Monumental Task
1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. 2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
neh 3.1-2
This time has come to began the work God had called Nehemiah to do.
This time has come to began the work God had called Nehemiah to do.
Well how do we accomplish such a task?
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
luke 14.28-22
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds.
What a task Nehemiah was undertaking ..... The perimeter of the entire city to be built...
What a task Nehemiah was undertaking ..... The perimeter of the entire city to be built...
Really ???
Nehemiah gained the trust of the people.
This permitted him to build a team that could make the vision happen. People shared responsibility to accomplish the goal.
No one person, not even Nehemiah, could accomplish this vision alone. Nehemiah began with a few, then he expanded the team to include virtually everyone.
The people committed themselves to the “common good” (2:18b). The talents of the people were named and used (chapter 3). Different people worked on different sections of the wall. People were assigned to work closest to their homes.
[
The circuit of walls would have been about 2½ miles, enclosing some 220 acres.
See map here ......
This just not happen
It took prayer
It took planning
It took a lot of organizations
It took corporation
2 1/2 linear miles of wall encompassing 90+ acres
Labor Force
Unpaid for the most part
Complacent and OK with the status quo -
Some did not like each other
Were made fun of and ridiculed
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
drawing here
1. the Sheep Gate (v.1)
2. the Fish Gate (v.3)
3. the Old (Jeshanah) Gate (v.6)
4. the Valley Gate (v.13)
5. the Dung (Ashpot) Gate (v.14)
6. the Fountain Gate (v.15)
7. the Water Gate (v.26)
8. the Horse Gate (v.28)
9. the East Gate (v.29)
10. the Inspection Gate (v.31).[1]
I An Organized Effort
I An Organized Effort
2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
A task so enormous as rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, especially under adverse conditions, called for unusual organizational effort. The uniqueness of Nehemiah’s plan is evident in this chapter. Several aspects of his delegation of the work are evident.
Vs 4
Vs 5
Vs 7
Vs 8
Vs 9
Vs 10
1. A Specific Location
1. A Specific Location
Vs 12
Vs 17
vs 19
Vs 2 Vs 4 Vs 5 Vs 7 Vs 8 Vs 9 Vs 10 Vs 12 Vs 17 vs 19
Vs 2 Vs 4 Vs 5 Vs 7 Vs 8 Vs 9 Vs 10 Vs 12 Vs 17 vs 19
A specific location
28 times it was mentioned the locations
Read a few
He assigned everyone a specific place to work. This coordination stands out in the phrases “next to him,” “next to them,” “next to that,” “the next section,” “beside him,” and “beyond them,” which occur 28 times in this chapter.
They were to at a specific place!
It was not random
They just did not show up
They had a place to be and it was organized and planned by their leader
Where does God have you!
Where does God have you!
Vs 4
Vs 5
Vs 7
Vs 8
Vs 9
Vs 10
Vs 12
Vs 17
vs 19
2. Near their Homes
2. Near their Homes
Assignments were made near people’s houses (vv. 21, 23–24, 26, 28–30).
Assignments were made near people’s houses (vv. 21, 23–24, 26, 28–30).
Reasons for this plan are obvious.
First, people who were assigned to sections of the wall near their homes would be more personally involved and consequently more highly motivated.
Second, they would not have to travel to another part of the city to do the job, wasting valuable time.
Third, in case of attack they would not be tempted to leave their posts, but would stay and protect their families.
Fourth, the whole task would be a family effort, utilizing all available talent.
3. Outsides helped as Well
3. Outsides helped as Well
Commuters also had a part. Men whose homes were outside of Jerusalem—in Jericho (v. 2), Tekoa (vv. 5, 27), Gibeon (v. 7), and Mizpah (v. 7)—were assigned to sections of the wall where there were few homes.
Those workers were asked to complete tasks that would not be as conveniently handled by the permanent residents in Jerusalem.
They filled the gap for portions of the wall that were not near homes of the temple
4. Vocations were Organized
4. Vocations were Organized
Assignments were also made by vocation. For example, the high priest and his fellow priests were assigned to rebuild the Sheep Gate (v. 1).
This was of particular interest to them, because animals were brought through that gate to the temple for sacrifice.
Other priests are mentioned in verses 22, 28.
Other workers whose vocations are listed include goldsmiths (vv. 8, 31–32),
perfume-makers (v. 8),
district and half-district rulers (vv. 9–12, 14–19),
Levites (v. 17),
and merchants (vv. 31–32).
It is easy for people to forget the purpose behind the vision even as they work to fulfill it.
The vision was to rebuild the wall, but the wall was not the important part of the vision.
The wall was a means to a larger purpose.
What Nehemiah and his people were really about was reclaiming their identity as people of faith.
Ladies and gentlemen this is why they pulled together .....
27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
What was at stake was not just a wall but indeed their very faith (Chapter 8; 12:27).
Nehemiah had to make sure the people were reminded of their ancient faith.
Nehemiah had to make sure the people were reminded of their ancient faith. Because their task was tied to a larger purpose, they put their hearts into their work and were able to complete the task in 52 days (6:15-16). What an amazing feat this was.
Because their task was tied to a larger purpose, they put their hearts into their work and were able to complete the task in 52 days (6:15-16). What an amazing feat this was.
II Survey of the Work
II Survey of the Work
The map “Jerusalem in the Time of Nehemiah” shows the 11 gates and four towers mentioned in this chapter. Of the 11 gates, 6 were repaired (vv. 1, 3, 6, 13–15).
map here
North Wall
North Wall
3:1–2. Nehemiah’s account of the repairs begins with the Sheep Gate at the northeast of the wall, and proceeds counterclockwise. The Sheep Gate is known to have been in that location because it was near the Pool of Bethesda (), which archeologists have located in that area.
Eliashib the high priest (cf. ) was a grandson of Jeshua (12:10), the high priest in Zerubbabel’s day (). Eliashib and other priests (cf. ) repaired and dedicated the Sheep Gate and then repaired the walls to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel (also mentioned in 12:39; ; ). The exact locations of these two towers are not known, but they were between the Sheep Gate and the Fish Gate.
3:3–5. The Fish Gate may have been the gate through which the people of Tyre brought fish they sold (13:16). Meremoth, a priest’s son (cf. ), also worked on a second section (), as did Meshullam (v. 30), whose daughter was married to Tobiah’s son (6:18). The men of Tekoa, Amos’ hometown () about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, repaired a section. Though the nobles of Tekoa did not help in the project, others from Tekoa took on another section, on the east wall ().
West Wall (3:6–12)
West Wall (3:6–12)
3:6–12. Between the Jeshanah (or “Old”; cf. niv marg.) Gate (v. 6) and
the Broad Wall (v. 8) was the Gate of Ephraim (cf. 12:39). Gibeon and Mizpah were a few miles northwest of Jerusalem. (Meronoth’s site is unknown.) Somewhat surprisingly, those towns were under … the governor of Trans-Euphrates (cf. 2:9).
The exact sites of those gates and of the Tower of the Ovens (3:11) is not known, but the tower may have been near the ovens in the street of the bakers (). A goldsmith and a perfume-maker () took on a different line of work when they went into construction labor. Even rulers of Jerusalem’s districts and half-districts (vv. 9, 12; cf. vv. 14–15) took up tools for the building project.
South Wall (3:13–14)
South Wall (3:13–14)
3:13–14. The Valley Gate was where Nehemiah’s nighttime inspection tour began and ended (2:13, 15). The Dung Gate was so named because it led to the Hinnom Valley south of the city where refuse was dumped.
Southeast wall (3:15–27)
Southeast wall (3:15–27)
3:15–16. The Fountain Gate was on the east wall, north of the Dung Gate. The Pool of Siloam was near the King’s Garden, near which Zedekiah, Judah’s last king, had gone in his attempt to escape from Jerusalem while the Babylonians were conquering the city ().
The tombs of David refer to those of David and his descendants, the kings of Judah. David was buried in this area, “the city of David” (). The artificial pool may be the King’s Pool () or perhaps the “lower pool” (). The House of the Heroes may have been the barracks of David’s select soldiers, or “mighty men” ().
3:17–27. Binnui (v. 18) also repaired another section (v. 24). The armory (v. 19) is another point near the eastern wall. The angle was apparently some turn in the wall. Another angle is mentioned in verses 24–25.
Private houses were some of the points of reference: the house of Eliashib the high priest (vv. 20–21; cf. v. 1), Benjamin and Hasshub’s house (v. 23), and Azariah’s house (vv. 23–24). Other houses were mentioned later including the priests’ houses (v. 28), Zadok’s house (v. 29), Meshullam’s house (v. 30), and “the house of the temple servants and the merchants” (v. 31).
Meremoth (v. 21) repaired two sections (cf. v. 4), as did the Tekoites (vv. 5, 27). Priests (v. 22; cf. v. 1) and Levites (v. 17) were involved in the repair work, closer to the temple than to other parts of the wall. The tower (v. 25) was near the palace, presumably the palace built by Solomon (). The court of the guard may have been part of Solomon’s great courtyard near his palace (). The hill of Ophel () was the area between the city of David and the temple mount. Understandably the temple servants lived near the temple area.
Northeast Wall (3:28–32)
Northeast Wall (3:28–32)
3:28–32. The Horse Gate (v. 28) on the east wall may have been where horses entered the palace area.
The East Gate (v. 29) was directly east of the temple area. Malkijah (v. 31) is the third man by this name in this chapter (see vv. 11, 14). His wall repairs extended south to the house of the temple servants, who are mentioned in verse 26 as living on the hill of Ophel.
Merchants also lived in that area near the temple servants. The Inspection Gate was at the northeast corner of the wall (cf. the corner in v. 24). The room above the corner was a room on the wall whose purpose is not known. The Sheep Gate brings the reader back to the starting point (cf. v. 1).
III Unity
III Unity
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
A passion can bring people together.
A passion for the project. Passion includes vision, enthusiasm, drive, determination, and creativity. People with passion can grasp the big picture without becoming enmeshed in or preoccupied with all the details. Nehemiah could hardly sleep as he imagined himself accomplishing God’s objective. His passion was off the chart.
Getting along well with others is a crucial part of leadership.
This would include such skills as verbalizing ideas, dreams, and concerns; articulating goals succinctly and simply; and demonstrating grace with a heavy dose of enthusiasm and encouragement.
Leaders who motivate always inspire others to do their best. They quickly affirm and remember to give credit where credit is due. Nehemiah was strong in all those qualities.
The third principle is having an unswerving confidence in God.
Nehemiah’s journal is filled with prayers—silent ones, short ones, specific ones.
He never failed to remind the people of the Lord’s presence and protection. Leaders who are authentic will consistently turn others’ attention to the true Source of strength—the One who can accomplish the impossible. Their faith is contagious. While they may occasionally doubt their own ability, they do not doubt God’s invincible commitment to His work.
Verse 32 brings us back full circle to the Sheep Gate. Two other gates are mentioned in the book—the Gate of Ephraim (8:16) and the Prison Gate (Gate of the Guard, NASB) (12:39).
There were twelve gates in all, even as there will be twelve gates in the New Jerusalem (). It is significant that God keeps a careful record of all those who serve Him; this is seen in the listing of those who repaired the walls and gates.
The House of the Mighty (v. 16) may originally have been the headquarters for David’s mighty men.
Men and women, artisans and laborers, princes and commoners, all labored side by side.
There was only one case of disunity—the nobles of Tekoa shirked their responsibility (v. 5).
Some who finished their assigned task took on an additional portion of the wall (cf. vv. 4 and 21; 5 and 27). God has given different work assignments to believers today.
He has equipped us with various gifts and abilities appropriate to our calling, and He knows who is not really involved and who is doing double duty. “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is” ().[2]
[2] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (pp. 484–485). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The second principle includes an ability to motivate others. Getting along well with others is a crucial part of leadership. This would include such skills as verbalizing ideas, dreams, and concerns; articulating goals succinctly and simply; and demonstrating grace with a heavy dose of enthusiasm and encouragement. Leaders who motivate always inspire others to do their best. They quickly affirm and remember to give credit where credit is due. Nehemiah was strong in all those qualities.
The third principle is having an unswerving confidence in God. Nehemiah’s journal is filled with prayers—silent ones, short ones, specific ones. He never failed to remind the people of the Lord’s presence and protection. Leaders who are authentic will consistently turn others’ attention to the true Source of strength—the One who can accomplish the impossible. Their faith is contagious. While they may occasionally doubt their own ability, they do not doubt God’s invincible commitment to His work.
The fifth principle to adopt is a practical, balanced grip on reality. While the good leader may have dreams and ideas, he or she doesn’t live in a dreamworld of ideals. The actual facts—the hard pieces of evidence—are in clear focus. Nehemiah told the workers who were rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall to stay at their jobs. He, at the same time, wisely stationed others to protect the wall from attack. Smart. Discerning. Tough. He acted without overreacting. Good leaders maintain that needed balance between staying positive and keeping aware of the negative.
Number six is a willingness to work hard and remain unselfish. Most Christian leaders have at least one thing in common: diligence. They also know the value of calling it a day. (Diligence and workaholism are not synonyms.) Because of his hard work, Nehemiah was appointed to be “governor of Judah” (), even before the wall was rebuilt. He accepted his appointment humbly, refusing special treatment and willingly sacrificing for the good of the people. Nehemiah could have led a clinic on servant leadership.
Finally, leaders must have the discipline to finish the job. Good leaders are finishers. They know how to concentrate on essentials without allowing perfectionistic details to block the path. I am certain that some of the wall’s stones were a tad crooked, and a few of the joints may have been loose. Perhaps a gate or two wasn’t perfectly level, and it’s possible a hinge or two squeaked . . . but that baby got done. Mission accomplished. The end. Done! (I love that word.)
And when the task is finished, good leaders celebrate . . . they have fun! In Nehemiah’s case, they had a blast walking on the wall, marching and dancing, shouting and singing. What a grand and glorious party!
Christian leaders with character continue to be in demand. Ezekiel recorded God’s search for leaders who would “stand in the gap in the wall [of righteousness] so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land,” but, tragically, He “found no one” (). God’s search continues today. Let’s determine to be the women and men for whom God is searching to stand in the gap. Let’s be the Nehemiahs of this generation—Christians who get things done for God’s glory, standing strong on rock-solid principles of leadership.