8/28/13- Repairers of the Wall

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 Binnuison 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. (Nehemiah 3:17-21)

Thoughts: In contrast to the nobles of the small town of Tekoa (who refused to work) were rulers of districts and half-districts who worked hard and oversaw the work themselves.  The word "repaired" (hehezik in Hebrew) implies that the walls were not completely torn down, and that they were able to take stone already quarried and put them back up.  Another phrase that bears examination is "next to him."  Often soldiers say that in the heat of battle they were not fighting as much for a cause or for their country as for the person next to them.  Having someone working at the same time, in coordination, begins a sense of comradery and  teamwork- a synergism takes place.  As Ecclesiastes 4 points out- two are better than one.  The Levites were working, the politicians were working, the skilled and unskilled were working.  Doubtless the economy of Jerusalem came to a standstill.  They did not have time to gather crops, sell goods, wash clothes, do chores. But everyone dropping everything to do this important work, added to the energy and strength.  
    One note- Baruch "zealously repaired" the wall leading into the high priest's house (Eliashib).  Perhaps he wanted to do this for the Lord and his high servant.  We need some really zealous people to inspire us to answer God's call to us well.
     We do not have a contractor's account.  There are no figures about how much stone was brought in, or how much mortar was used.  The concentration here is on the willingness of the people to respond to God's call.  In the end- it does not matter how tough the work was, but that we did the work for the Lord. 

Prayer: Help me to be a repairer of broken walls.  Help me to be one who builds up and does not tear down.  Use me, Lord, for your glory.