READ: Nehemiah2:9 – 3:32
On his journey, Nehemiah stops to show the king’s
letters of support to the governors of the land, Sanballat (likely the governor
of Samaria) and Tobiah (an official). These men are not happy with Nehemiah’s
mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Perhaps they see this third wave of
exiles and their plans to rebuild their city walls as a threat to their own
security. But nothing can stop Nehemiah and he continues on to Jerusalem.
Before telling anyone of his plans, Nehemiah
settles in for a few days and then sets out under the cover of darkness to
inspect the city walls and gates. He finds Hanani’s words true – the walls are
broken and the gates burned. He knows that the destruction is a direct result
of the people’s disobedience to Yahweh, and he is planning on more than just a
building project – he is under the command of the Lord to bring the people back
into right relationship with their God through the rebuilding of these walls
and the rendering of their hearts. Finally he is ready to announce his purpose
for coming to Jerusalem: he urges the
Jews to rise up and rebuild the walls of their city, and they respond with
enthusiastic commitment. And just as Zerubbabel and Joshua said to their
adversaries in Ezra 4, Nehemiah proclaims that this is a project for God’s
chosen people alone, and that the God of heaven will be with them.
Chapter 3 describes how the work was divvyed up and
who repaired what. It seems that crews were divided mainly by family and
situated close to their homes. The map gives an idea of the walls of Jerusalem
that Nehemiah rebuilt. Due to extensive damage of the old wall and the
instability of the community, the city was not as large as it was before the
exile, but the people worked with unity and commitment all the same.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Nehemiah is a true leader, neither impulsive nor
indecisive. He takes time to think and observe before rallying the people. No
doubt, he was praying and listening to God every step of the way. Do you take
time to think before you speak? Do you pray before you act? Do you think about
what a project requires before launching into it? These things are all
important if we are to be people of integrity. If we don’t think before we speak,
pray before we act or plan before we jump, we risk hurting people, going back
on our word and starting things we don’t finish.
a. Ask God to show you where you are lacking
integrity. Have you gone back on your commitment? Have you hurt someone with
your words? Tell God you are sorry and ask for His forgiveness. What active
step must you take today to walk out your day with integrity?
b. Are you modeling integrity to your
children/family members? Do they see you as a person of integrity? Ask the Lord
to work in your life so that you will become someone who is known as a person
of integrity.
2. The people responded positively to Nehemiah’s
call to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This kind of unity is so important for
us as the church – the body of Christ. We need everyone – young and old – to
take up their materials and build the church.
a. If you are not serving in the church, what is
stopping you? The church needs you and the particular gifts God has given you –
and you have gifts, even if you think you don’t! Ask God how He wants to use
you in the church to build up the body.
