TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. Nehemiah 3:1-6 Many roads converged on Jerusalem, which would have been considered a large city, so there were twelve gates from different directions and roads. Generally, at each gate there would be guard towers and thicker walls to accommodate soldiers needed to protect the entrances into the city in times of conflict. The gates would have had heavy wooden doors that were securely fastened to the stone walls and, when closed, would have been very difficult to break down. Spiritual leaders need the prayers of the Lord’s people as they seek to guide them through the attacks from Satan, which must be taken seriously. When the word of God is in their hearts and we see them counsel one another as leaders, we trust their decisions. We will have no trouble following those who are sound in doctrine and practice.
There are times when spreading the Gospel requires deliverance from irrational people. “Unreasonable and wicked men” oppose the Gospel and those who preach it. Justice might never come for those who love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, but we can pray for deliverance from their evil ways. "Unreasonable" opposition can stem from simple ignorance and even fear, as people are under Satan's control.
Sometimes, it is religious "unreasonable" men who have taken a stance and do not want the personal or financial benefits of their religious position threatened or taken away. "Wicked" men are morally unreasonable individuals whose character and actions oppose those who "live godly in Christ Jesus.' The people who opposed the Gospel and God’s people are not people of faith and are not faithful to God's word, even though they hear it.
There had been an appalling moral breakdown in Jewish society, and their iniquities and sins had to be faced. A wall of separation was needed so that people could cut themselves off from fellowship and compromise with those around them. The wickedness of people creates a barrier between sinners and the Savior that will remain forever if they die in their sins.
When we know God as the Almighty and Protector in a personal way, we can face fear and danger by faith in Him. We trust rather than fear. We rest in the Lord’s protection and commit ourselves to personal devotion to the Lord. Grateful people become positive, gracious, loving, and humble. Faith in God gives believers strength and vitality in their lives and testimony. Devoted believers produce spiritual fruit throughout their lives.
A fresh outlook on life and experiences with God in difficulties help us continually grow in the Lord. Because of love for the Lord, He protects and grants long life. The word “because” is used twice to support our faith. “Because he hath set his love upon Me,” and “Because he hath known My name.” Faith doesn’t eliminate life’s difficulties. It carries us through them with confidence that the outcome will be right. Firm faith has greater strength and broader effects than the loud boasting and lies of those who oppose our Lord and His people.
The confession of confidence in “God Most High” and the assurance that He will vindicate His servant bring calm to the soul. God sends His love and faithfulness, His mercy and truth, to address the situation in which one is found. So, pray to God for His power to rescue His servant, and open his heart to praise for the anticipated deliverance he is sure will come. When our hearts are “fixed” on our God, enemies will be overcome. Hopelessness is temporary and will be completely gone when our hearts are fixed on the Lord. Satan’s future is the lake of fire, and the Lord will reign on earth, so even the nation of Israel can have hope in God.
Each of the 42 groups involved in building the wall accepted responsibility for a section. Consistent with their spiritual leadership roles, the priests came out of their houses in work clothes and began clearing debris and building the Sheep Gate, where animals for sacrifices were brought to the temple. From there, they built the section between the two towers that stood to guard the Sheep Gate (the spiritual life of the people) and the Fish Gate (the daily business life of the people). Our spiritual life as the people of God cannot be separated from the things in which we are engaged in day-to-day living. One has said, "What you do speaks so loudly I can’t hear a word you say." Nehemiah listed the groups going counterclockwise around the city. There were “men of Jericho” who joined in the work, likely knowing that a strong capital city would affect all the cities and people of the nation. Tekoa was about 11 miles south of Jerusalem and was the home of Amos, the prophet. The nobles of Tekoa were not like the nobles of Jerusalem. The word used for the Tekoa nobles is “magnificent’ or “mighty,” which seems to describe their opinion of themselves. Of great interest to the reader of the book of Nehemiah is that people came all the way from Jericho to assist in the work of rebuilding. Some from Tekoa, a couple of hours away, also came and worked along with those who lived in Jerusalem. With a certain degree of scorn, Nehemiah mentioned, "Their nobles put not their necks to the work." They were not going to bear burdens, probably because they thought they were above doing labor work. They may have been just plain lazy, but for whatever reason, they would not help.
Likely, after the first day's work was over and the sounds of people working together for a common purpose faded, each group would be having something to eat and perhaps rubbing oil on aching muscles and blistered hands. But as they looked through the doors of their homes, they could see evidence of a great work that had begun all around the city, as the first layer or two of stones they laid were joined with those of others. It would remind them of a soon-to-be-finished work, and each person who worked that day would feel part of something big that was going on. There would be a sense of ownership in the wall that would be there for their whole lifetime.