The background? A traveler told Nehemiah (after he had cared enough to ask) about the decrepit and decaying condition of Jerusalem. The city of peace, still in its vulnerable, war torn state.
Nehemiah took this seriously and personally. See, God had allowed the destruction as a consequence of the people's sin. He also promised restoration after a set time, if their hearts were turned toward Him.
Oh behalf of his people, Nehemiah repented. He grieved, fasted, prayed. He offered himself to bring about a solution to the problem. Notice he was not priest, not a leader. He was a servant, though a trusted one. God gave him a plan, and favor with the king.
Traveling to Jerusalem with the king's blessing, protection, and supplies, Nehemiah inspected the damage under the cover of night. He didn't set himself up as a leader, or give orders. He simply got his facts straight and presented them to the people. The people who had lived with the mess so long they took it as quite acceptable.
When the people heard what God had already done through Nehemiah (notice he didn't talk about what he himself had sacrificed to get to this point, but only the task at hand), the response was unanimous. They would build. And they prepared.
Part of that preparation was ignoring yelps of protest from outside the city. The sources of those yelps were not the people of God, and had no authority in the matter. But that didn't stop them from making noises.
What I noticed, then, in chapter three.
The high priest and his brothers, as spiritual leaders, began the work.
Chapter three follows the work, describing a beginning by the priests at the sheep gate (that location is significant for priests) all the way round the city, until workers in the last verse finish up at the sheep gate, joining their work with the priests'.
Who did the work? Some did the sections at their homes, as much as they were physically and financially able. Some only accomplished a section from their front door to the corner of their house, and others picked it up from there. Fathers and sons. Fathers and daughters. Fathers of fathers were mentioned. I imagine they supported in finances or food if not strong enough for work on the wall.
Goldsmiths and merchants, apothecaries and rulers worked on the wall. Not exactly their skill set, but God enabled them to do their part. They only had to provide willingness.
Parts of the wall held higher honor than others. The king's gate as opposed to the dung gate, for instance. There is no record of competition, of argument.
The one negative record was a group whose "nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord". I would infer from that verse, others needed to cover extra ground as a result.
Did the work go smoothly, lacking discouragement from within and threats from without? No.
Was the wall completed? Yes. And the inhabitants renewed their commitment to their God and to learning His laws.
They lived in unprecedented times. Their lives contained every fear, every challenge we know today. Hard work and sacrifice were a given.
Following Nehemiah's example, what shall we do?
Awareness.
Repentance.
Fasting.
Prayer.
Availability.
Sacrifice.
We serve the same God. The Omniscient, Omnipresent Jehovah Jireh, our provider.
In today's world, in my world, what is my section of the wall?
