Effective Christian Living - Nehemiah
3 - Chapter 3
You will remember that Nehemiah chapter two ended with Nehemiah exhorting the people to build the walls of Jerusalem. The people responded with enthusiasm. "Let us start rebuilding", they said. We now look at chapter three. We see God's people getting down to work. The well-known Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, "Saying and doing are often two things. Many say and sit still and do nothing. These were none of those".
Chapter 3 contains the names of people involved in the work and the jobs they did. The work of the Kingdom always requires workers. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 9 verse 38, "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field". Nehemiah had many willing workers. Are you involved in the work of the Kingdom? Have you said with Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me?" The work of building up the Church will be hindered unless the people of God are committed to it.
The workers came from all walks of life. Verse 1 refers to Priests, verse 8 to goldsmiths and perfumers, verse 12 to rulers, verse 17 to the Levites, verse 32 to merchants. No one considered their position too high or too low to involve themselves in the building work. You might feel insignificant in the eyes of the world but God has a job for you to do for Him. Indeed, the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1 verse 27-28, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak things to shame the strong". God is not looking for status and position before He can use you. He is looking for an obedient and willing heart.
We know that the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt successfully. This was because of the united effort of all who were involved. The Psalmist said in Psalm 133, "How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity for there the Lord bestows His blessing". Here in chapter three we see a united, whole-hearted effort to see God's work prosper and His people encouraged. The Lord blessed this work. He did so because there was a unity of purpose. Everyone had one main objective, to build the wall. They had purposed in their heart that nothing would hinder it. Christians will not fall out with one another when they are focused on the same goals. Our duty is to build up not pull down.
The word 'repair' used in this chapter translates a Hebrew word meaning 'to strengthen'. Our aim as Christian workers is to strengthen the work of God. Beware of weakening the work by neglect and discord. Paul prays in Colossians 1 verse 11, "Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience". Endurance and patience are two vital qualities in the building up of God's work. We are called to be repairers of the breach. God said through Isaiah 58 verse 12, "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, restorer of streets and dwellings". Does your presence in your church fellowship bring blessing, encouragement and healing? Your involvement in the life and witness of your local church should work toward building it up and the strengthening of unity.
There was unity of heart among the people. Throughout chapter three we read the expression, "Next to him". See how many times you can spot this. The people of God stood side by side, shoulder to shoulder in the work. Each one was in his place. Each one was doing his bit. No one was pulling in a different direction. Had they done so the work would have floundered in disarray. Stand next to your brother and sister in Christ. Don't spend your time looking for their faults. Avoid a critical attitude. Stand together supporting each other as you work for the common good of the furtherance of the gospel.
In verses 10, 28, and 29, we read of some who "made repairs opposite his house". They were concerned to get their own house in order before looking at the state of the houses of others. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 7 verse 3-5, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye". The writer to the Hebrews said in chapter 13 verse 1, "Keep on loving each other and forgiving each other as God in Christ has forgiven you." Get on with your fellow believers in your church. Work together toward its growth. There was unity of purpose among the people. Their chief goal was the building of the wall and its completion. Keep your focus on what you are seeking to achieve for the glory of God. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4 verse 7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith".
In Nehemiah 3 verse 5 we read, "But their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors". Sadly there will always be those in the fellowship who shirk their responsibilities in the work of God. Be sure you are not dead wood in your church. Someone once said, "It is better to wear out than rust out". Others went beyond their duty. In verse 4 we read of Meremoth who made repairs. In verse 21 we see that he repaired another section. We notice the same thing of the Tekoites in verses 5 and 27. Having zeal for God that when you've completed your task you still look for further opportunities to do more for the Lord you love. There is always something to be done in your church for God. Paul recommends Epaphras in Colossians 4 verse 13, "I vouch for him that he is working hard for you".
The Tekoites mentioned in Nehemiah 3 verse 5 were not put off by the indifference of their nobles. They continued to repair their section of the walls. What we do has an effect on others. Inactivity of some has the potential for discouraging others. The work load falls on a few and the pressure can be great. By your non-involvement in the work you can so easily become a source of discouragement to other believers who desire to work for God. We need to be like Baruch mentioned in verse 20 who, "zealously repaired another section". We must work for God with zeal and determination.
Nehemiah chapter three is a challenge to us all to be men and women of action. Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 58, "Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain".