9/18/13- Securing the Gates

After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani,along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. 3 I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.” (Nehemiah 7:1-3) 

Thoughts: The wall had been built, the gates were secured, but it meant nothing if it were not put to good use.  There were still threats and the possibility of war.  So Nehemiah set up the keepers of the gate, the musicians (especially those with trumpets for warning) and the Levites who were like the marines of the people of Jerusalem- the most trustworthy and loyal to the Temple and the people of God.  Nehemiah put his brother who had helped him, and to Hananiah who had proven his worth in integrity and in the fear of God.  He did not want someone who could be bought with a bribe as some of the other people and nobles had.  It is important to know who you can trust in life.  It is important to put in leadership those who will not turn on you, or ruin the work after it is done.  
The gates were not to be opened when it is dark, or when the gatekeepers could not see well.  He set a procedure in place for security- so that the gates were shut when there were enough people there to secure them.
He also knew he could trust the people to protect their own houses and families- so they helped guard at the watchtowers and on top of the wall near their own houses.  Nehemiah knew how to get people to put their own self interest to work.  There are great leadership lessons to learn here.  But one important one is that when someone has integrity and fears God that this is a great quality that is to be trusted no mistrusted.  

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to know who to trust.  Help me to be a person who has integrity and fears you.