When I first read chapter 3 of Nehemiah I thought, "Ok, just a list of the people who helped..."Then as I studied it, I realized the significance of this chapter. From this chapter we can learn about the purpose of the Lord's work, how he works, who he uses, and where he works. First of all, we need to understand that we are the one's who choose to do the Lord's work. He doesn't make us do anything. We can choose Him and His work, or we can choose to continue on in our apathy and miss out on the blessings of serving others and being His servant. Nehemiah choose to serve and do the Lord's work. Because he made this decision, he received the blessing. It's our choice. We can choose to be ordinary, as my husband says, or we can choose to step into the extraordinary and see the Lord work and change lives!
Nehemiah was only concerned about the glory of God- everything he did pointed to the Lord. He gathered the Jewish people- priests and rulers, men and women, professional craftsmen- and even people from outside the city to accomplish the task of rebuilding the city. Each worker had a specific task and place. 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 talk about the body of Christ and how each member has a specific part and task. This is an example of that word being lived out. What's important to note about the people that helped is that there is one person who stands out above the others. Verse 20 highlights one person, Baruch, as "zealously repairing another section." Once we choose to be apart of the work of the Lord we can either just do the work he wants us to and be done, or we can work zealously and do more! Another person to highlight is Eliashib, a high priest. The chapter begins by saying that Eliashib arose with his brothers and built the Sheep Gate (which was the gate in which people brought animals and sacrifices through), and then they consecrated it. Later on, in chapter 13, Eliashib does not remain true to his calling and joins the opposition. Some think it is because his grandson marries a daughter of Sanballet, one of the leaders of the opposition. Unfortunately in ministry this happens all the time. If your motivation and purpose is not for the glory of the Lord, then you will fall prey to what the enemy is trying to accomplish.
The chapter also tells the names of the gates they repaired and the specific purpose each gate served. It was very important to repair the gates because the city had become very vulnerable to other nations' attacks. It is so important to be in your word and to be in constant communication with your Savior- this is how you keep the walls around your heart built up (Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life- Proverbs 4:23). . If you don't, then you become vulernable to the enemy's attacks. When we choose to sit back and not be a part of the Lord's work and what he's doing and we can be used by the enemy to stop the work of the Lord!
For me, this chapter was a heart check. Have I chosen to be a part of the Lord's work? What am I doing to further the kingdom and build up the body of Christ? Am I constantly building up the walls around my heart by praying and reading his word so I'm not vulnerable to the enemy's attacks? Do a heart check today and ask yourself if you're choosing to be a part of the Lord's work, or if you're passively sitting by and watching, or if you have become a part of the opposition.
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