8/27/13- Named Helpers and Givers

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.

Thoughts: There are ten gates mentioned here.  This stands out not as just a mention of the topography of Jerusalem, or even as a list of givers and who's who, but as a record that the work was important and so many took part.  This is Nehemiah's naming opportunity fulfilled.  The Bible doesn't have a real problem saying who God used to do something. The plaque was not on the wall, but their names were in the Bible. It list names not giving glory to that person but in giving glory that God used them.
    Some things stand out about this list.  These were not skilled carpenters or stone masons.  Goldsmiths (jewelers) and perfume makers were building the wall (3:8). They believed God would help them do it- not that they already knew how to do it. It is a common held tenet of believers that if God calls us to do something He will equip us and help us get it done.  We need to believe that today.  

     

     The women (3:12) took part in the work- which was an unusual admission in the Old Testament. But God calls all to help glorify Him.
      Many people worked on the part of the wall that was right outside of their house (3:10, 28).  They knew the wall would help them.  

     Some of the people didn't even live there. Some lived in a different region- Trans-Euphrates (3:7).  So there were some who took part in the work who would not directly profit from the work.  Today, part of the selfishness of our time, we are taught to ask, "What's in it for me?"  For believers, the question is redesigned: "What is in it for the glory of God?"  Even secularists see that it is good to plant a tree even if you may not live to sit under its shade.  The Church succeeds when her people do the great work of God sacrificially.  The Church fails when we are nominal, and we do not live our faith out.  

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to be used by you to do your work.  Open doors for me.  Give me the grace to go through them relying on your power and ability.