“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, sat and wept, as we thought of Zion.”
- Psalm 137:1
Nehemiah 3
New International Version (NIV)
3 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.
3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. 5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
6 The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its
doors with their bolts and bars in place. 7 Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah—Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth—places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates. 8 Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. 10 Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him. 11 Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.
13 The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. They also repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.
14 The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son
of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.
15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David. 16 Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes. 17 Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah,carried out repairs for his district.
18 Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui[ son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah. 19 Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle of the wall. 20 Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of it. 22 The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region. 23 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. 24 Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner, 25 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
26 and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.27 Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel.
28 Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. 29 Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. 30 Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters.31 Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; 32 and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
This chapter gives an account of two things:
1) The names of the workers, which are recorded here to their honour, for they were such as herein discovered a great zeal for God and their country, both for their praise and for the encouragement of others to follow their example.
2) The order in which the repairs to the wall were made.
Saying and doing are often two very different things. Many are ready to say, "Let us rise up and build,’’ who sit still and do nothing, like that fair-spoken son who said “I go, Sir, but went not.’’ As soon as the people had resolved to build the wall about Jerusalem they lost no time, but set about it presently, as we find in this chapter. Let it never be said that we left that good work to be done tomorrow which we might as well have done to-day.
What is necessary to accomplish God’s purpose?
Common goal / vision
Dedicated leaders
Willing workers
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
Matthew 28: 19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
A Common Goal
The common goal for the Israelites was simple:
‘rebuild the wall’. Likewise; the body of Christ, the church, should have a common goal in mind, ‘the great commission’. The modern church is riddled with division however, with so many focusing on materialism and financial prosperity instead of spiritual growth.
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Psalms 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
Dedicated Leaders
There had been people living within the ruins of Jerusalem for years before Nehemiah’s arrival. While he is never mentioned in Chapter 3, he was essentially behind the entire process laid out in the Chapter.
Traits of a Godly leader:
Their ambition is God centred
Romans 2:8
But wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness.
They make personal sacrifices to accomplish that ambition
Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
Dedicated Leaders
They must be able to delegate
2 Timothy 2:2
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
A leader must oversee
Luke 6: 39-40
He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
They must not give into criticism
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
Dedicated Leaders
They do not mind relinquishing / giving others credit
Proverbs 29:23
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour.
They must be able to organize and motivate others
Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
Nehemiah 2:18
“Let us arise & rebuild”
Willing Workers
Sometimes the work isn’t glamorous, sometimes we have to be prepared to do the less desirable tasks. While the rebuilding of the walls as a whole sounds like an amazing venture to be part of, keep in mind... someone had to rebuild the dung gate. Often we’re presented with opportunities or tasks that might seem “beneath us”. The danger is we allow our pride to prevent us from doing a good work when we view the task as menial or insignificant. We see the bigger picture and forget to take note of the smaller details that make it up.
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Rebuilding The Wall
Accomplishing God’s Purpose
Nehemiah 2:18
“Let us arise & rebuild”
Willing Workers
They were willing to work outside their area of expertise. The first verse notes that the priests (including the high priest) got involved in the construction. City officials joined in on the work too (verse 9, 12). EVERYONE got involved.
It is important to note that Nehemiah 3 is, in essence, dedicated to the men and women responsible for working to rebuild the wall. While we should never be motivated to action; solely by the desire of receiving something in return, the work we do for the kingdom of God... MATTERS to Him. Even the lowlier, more menial tasks.
We should be encouraged by this Chapter’s (albeit long) context, if, for no other reason than it serves as evidence that God is mindful of the good we do. Even if it seems of little consolation to the world.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
The Sheep Gate (1)
The Fish Gate (2)
The Old Gate (3)
The Valley Gate (4)
The Dung Gate (5)
The Fountain Gate (6)
The Water Gate (7)
The Horse Gate (8)
The East Gate (9)
The Inspection Gate (10)
- Salvation (1)
- Service (2)
Law (3)
Trials & Tribulations (4) H
Spiritual Purge (5)
Holy Spirit (6)
God’s Word (7)
Spiritual Warfare (8)
Christ's Coming (9)
God’s Judgement (10)
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel.
The Sheep Gate
It is interesting to note that this is the gate the high priest set to work rebuilding. The name Eliashib means “whom God will restore”.
The sheep gate is the gate through which the animals were brought into the city, including the temple sacrifices. The Scripture says that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission for sins.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
The Sheep Gate
The only way to God is through sacrifice. This is the only gate of which it is recorded that it was sanctified, that is, dedicated to God in a special way.
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the gate through which every sinner must enter.
John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
There are not many paths to God, only one. Jesus is the only way.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Nehemiah 3:3
Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.
The Fish Gate
Merchants used this gate when they brought fish from the Mediterranean Sea, and there may have been a fish market near the gate. This was a key entrance to the city.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
The Fish Gate
This gate speaks of service for the people. When Jesus called four of the disciples he told them that He would make them fishers of men.
Matthew 4:18-20
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
These verses show how Christ saves our soul to make us soul winners. We are saved to serve! God has freed us from sin to serve Him. Note however that this gate comes after the sheep gate. Salvation must come BEFORE service. We cannot save ourselves through service. Good works are the fruit of salvation not the root of it.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Nehemiah 3:6
Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars.
The Old Gate
The Old Gate was where the elders of the city would meet to discuss matters of community importance and issue judgment on disputes. Some students identify this with the Mishneh Gate; the Hebrew word means second quarter or new quarter.
In Nehemiah’s day, the northwest section of the city was the mishneh or new quarter; and this gate led into it. What a paradox: the old gate leads into the new quarter.
Jeremiah 6:16
Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Nehemiah 3:13
Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate.
The Valley & The Refuse Gate
The Valley Gate is where Nehemiah began his nocturnal investigation of the ruins of the city, it overlooked the Valley of Hinnom and the Valley of Kidron.
The Dung Gate was located at the southernmost tip of the city, near the Pool of Siloam. It was a main exit to the Valley of Hinnom, where the city disposed of its garbage. The sanitary disposal of waste materials was essential to the health of a city.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
The Valley & The Refuse Gate
This gate did not have a beautiful name, but it did perform an important service. It reminds us that, like the city, each of us individually must get rid of whatever defiles us, or it may destroy us.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Nehemiah 3:15
Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden.
The Fountain & The Water Gate
The Fountain Gate was on the east wall, just north of the Dung Gate, in a very strategic location near the Pool of Siloam. The Gihon Spring that fed the water system was an important source of water in the city.
The Water Gate led from the old City of David to the Gihon Spring, located adjacent to the Kidron Valley.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
The Fountain & The Water Gate
Only the Holy Spirit can empower the Christian life. Jesus command to come and drink is in the present tense. Christ doesn't want us to drink once and then leave. He wants us to continually drink from His unlimited source.
John 7:37-39
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
Nehemiah 3:28
Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.
The Horse Gate
The Horse Gate stood north of the Water Gate, adjacent to the temple area. God warned His people not to trust in horses and chariots, but Solomon imported them from Egypt and they became an important part of the nation’s defence system. It is significant that the priests repaired this gate as well as the Sheep Gate. Both were near the temple area.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gates
The Horse Gate
The priests offered the sacrifices and were their spiritual warriors through prayer. The Horse Gate reminds us, there is warfare in the Christian life and that we must always be ready to fight.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gate
Nehemiah 3:29
After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.
The East Gate
The East Gate led directly to the temple and is probably what we know today as the Golden Gate. Tradition says that Jesus entered the temple on Palm Sunday through this gate. In the sixteenth century, the gate was sealed up with blocks of stone by the Turkish sultan, Sulayman the Magnificent. Jewish and Christian tradition both connect the Golden Gate with the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem. So, we have every reason to associate this gate with the coming of the Lord. This gate reminds us that Jesus Christ will return soon.
1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gate
Nehemiah 3:31
After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.
The Inspection Gate
The Miphkad (Inspection) Gate was located at the northeast corner of the city. The Hebrew word has a military connotation and refers to the mustering of the troops for numbering and inspection. When our Lord returns, He will gather His people together and review their works in preparation for giving out rewards for faithful service.
Romans 14:10-12
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Rebuilding The Wall
The Gate
The Inspection Gate
Every believer has the opportunity to serve the Lord. When Jesus comes back He will review our lives and reward faithful service. Although believers cannot lose their salvation they can lose their reward. This will result in grief and shame for them.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Rebuilding The Wall
Conclusion
Chapter 3 (despite its seeming lack of content) is the breathing of life into Nehemiah’s hope for Jerusalem. This was the start of their restoration, a turning of the page.
We, as Christians, sometimes need to be reminded that we are called to act as one body under Christ. We need to aspire to live in harmony with one another, and can only hope to do so as long as we are living in harmony with God’s will.
The smallest act of service for God or our fellow Christians, despite its seeming insignificance, is a single (but noteworthy) brick; in a collection of many others, that will build up the fallen spaces around us. Be they physical or otherwise.
Let us not become so overwhelmed and disheartened by the size or severity of a situation, that we then deem our actions (or lack of action) irrelevant. Trusting that our hope and perseverance will inspire those around us to hope and persevere as well. Brick by brick.
Rebuilding The Wall
Sources:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/ commentaries/ matthew-henry-complete/ nehemiah/ 3.html">https://www.biblestudytools.com/ commentaries/ matthew-henry-complete/ nehemiah/ 3.html
https://bible.org/ seriespage/ lesson-3-we-won-nehemiah-31-32">https://bible.org/ seriespage/ lesson-3-we-won-nehemiah-31-32
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