October 10, 2020: SOAP #3964:  Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 3:1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. …32 and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.

Observation:  Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.  The first order of business for Nehemiah was to rebuild the walls.  He assigned portions of the wall that were close to each one’s house.  They worked next to each other.  Twenty-two times in these 32 verses we find the word “next,” or the phrase “next to him.”  In being faithful to their individual assignment, they worked together to build the wall. 

In verse one the priests rebuilt the sheep gate and the wall starting around the city.  In verse 32, the goldsmiths and merchants finished the wall back to the sheep gate. 

Application: Each one in the kingdom of God has an assignment.  We are working next to people who have a different assignment, but we are working together—next to each other.  We must trust those next to us.  We need to be quick to offer our support.  We need to be faithful in defending them.  We need to pray that our parts of the wall are equally strong enough to withstand the enemies’ attacks.  There are times when we do not like the ones God put next to us.  We would rather work with someone on the other side of the city, but we must trust the Master Builder’s plan. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is good to know that you have a plan in building your church.  My relationship with those working next to me is important to you.  May it be important to me also. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!