The rebuilding of the wall was truly a community effort, from different echelons of society, from different occupations, and different skill sets, every person had a part to play. 1 Cor 12 talks about how the church should function as a body, we often discuss in our churches the concept of every-member ministries. Nehemiah models many of these things
Nehemiah 3 vs. 23-32 Section by Section The Wall is Repaired
Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah,
The son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house, next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section,
People didn’t have to look very hard to see what needed repairing, it was right in front of their houses so it wasn’t far!
They worked in front of and beside their houses, neighbours working together fixed and repaired each section
Of the wall as each household took care of what was their responsibility it ensured that together they raised the bar
They took the wall to a new level, what was broken was mended, together they fixed and completed each section
From Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner, and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower
projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh and the temple
Nehemiah is at pains to describe who was involved in rebuilding every section of the wall thru it they did power
The scope of the work can be under-estimated the wall was about 2 miles long, the task wasn’t all that simple
The wall wasn’t all one height or thickness, Towers buttressed the various gates and these were much higher
than the wall and needed to be strengthened to withstand enemy attacks and protect Jerusalem and its people
Servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east
And the projecting tower, next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower
The people knew what they had to do, and where they needed to start and finish, they did their best
They understood that by doing their part it would contribute to making their city safe from attack by outside powers
The great protecting towers enabled the workers to keep a watchful eye on the enemies, they didn’t rest
For they knew that their enemies did not want the wall re-built and they didn’t want Jerusalem to blossom and flower
To once again be a stronghold, a place of strength where the Israelites could over them an advantage wrest
But the workers were determined the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower
To the wall of Ophel 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.
A big job can seem to immense to one person it can make them defeated and diffident
The people of Jerusalem had lost hope, didn’t have courage, couldn’t bravery rouse
Nehemiah had a different vision of what could be accomplished in God he was confident
Together every one achieves more, side by side each of them worked in front of their house
Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, 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.
A big job needs to be broken down into workable components and managed so people don’t spin
Out of control, they need to be encouraged to see the value of their abilities and contribution
At the end of the day it isn’t how talented they are, rather that they don’t toss what they have in a bin
And like Bob the Builder say yes I can do it, I can do what I can, the wall was rebuilt section by 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
In today’s church we speak of every member ministries, it not new witness the wall of Jerusalem
People from all walks of life contributed, priests, goldsmiths, guards, merchants and servants
It wasn’t that they were all bricklayers and builders highly skilled, but almost builders out on a limb
Yet slowly but surely they did what they had to do even if it seemed the work of menial 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.
In God’s Kingdom every person has a place and a part to play, those that trust in him can in his love be seen
Not for who they are or what they do, rather because God first loved them and about them doesn’t despair
Great is his faithfulness and mercy yet those he loves he will also chasten and rebuke and want them to learn
That there is a cost to discipleship, the Jerusalemites had to overcome their fears in order to make the repairs
Mark Maffey, April 2009
(NIV)