Building in harmony
The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build … then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors (Nehemiah 2:20-3:1).
Nehemiah 3 might at first glance seem a straightforward record of how the walls and gates of Jerusalem were rebuilt. But it tells us so much about the way the people of God did the work of God. There are many helpful illustrations in this remarkable passage. I want to concentrate on the features that characterised the way the people of God worked in harmony for the glory of God.
It is very striking that the first person mentioned was Eliashib, the High Priest. It must have been a great example and a tremendous encouragement for the people to see their High Priest and his fellow priests building the Sheep Gate. They might have expected him to lead the prayers and worship which, of course, they would have done, but they worked hard just like everyone else. Alongside their brethren they cleared rubbish, laid foundations, repaired and rebuilt walls and gates. They approached their practical work in the same way as they did their spiritual responsibilities. They were an example: “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). The spiritual shepherds built the sheep gate!
We are gradually introduced to the people who built the walls. Their names are precious to God. It is sad to learn that, although the Tekoites worked hard, the same could not be said of their nobles, who didn’t put their shoulders to the work of God (v. 5). But this attitude was unusual, and it didn’t stop the work. We should never let those who do not want to be committed to the work of the Lord hold back its progress. Amongst the builders were goldsmiths, perfumers, merchants, Levites and priests, who all made repairs and fortified Jerusalem. Men who were exceptional and skilled craftsmen didn’t shrink from doing work so very different from their usual occupations. The leaders of the people worked alongside those they ruled over. One of them, Shallum, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, worked with his daughters on the building work (v. 12). Interestingly the Tekoites showed the devotion their nobles lacked by also repairing a further section of the wall (v. 27).
Each group worked alongside the next. Each part of the wall was linked to the next. To do this work properly required understanding, singleness of purpose, harmony, and tremendous effort and skilfulness. The workers needed a willingness to recognise the gift and ability each had, and also their limitations. They had to be willing to learn: priests would learn from craftsmen; the rich would learn from the poor; ordinary workers would benefit from working alongside their leaders and priests. And I suspect it would have been the most joyful service they had ever participated in. They would have learned so much about each other and from each other. They were not only building the walls and gates of Jerusalem; they were building a fellowship.
The building began and ended at the Sheep Gate (vv. 1, 32). It is hard not to be reminded of the Lord’s words, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” and “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10: 9,11). Everything begins and ends with the Lord. His love is the motivation for our worship and service.
