The Walls of Jerusalem
Nehemiah 3:1-32
Introduction
- Nehemiah is a great study of leadership, but also shows obedience to God
- Last week we saw Nehemiah’s assessing of the project before him
-- He also revealed the mission God had given him to those around him
-- And also, we examined his reaction to ungodly resistance by local authorities
- In all of these things one thing is clear: Nehemiah trusts God to be faithful
-- APP: He knows that God has called him, and so it is God that he will obey
-- This faithfulness is where we begin to see their trust at work …
- Read Nehemiah 3:1-32
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – The Northern Wall
- It is important to note that this chapter appears to be an insert to the memoirs
-- The chronological events resume in Chapter 4, but this is just as important
-- You might be asking, why is a list of names and work they did, important?
-- APP: Hang with me and we will see all of this at the end of today
- Jerusalem’s walls in this time would be approx. 1.5 square miles
-- City of Millbrook is about 13 sq. miles; much LARGER than Jerusalem here
-- But a wall that is 12 feet high would still be a huge undertaking for anyone
- Nehemiah begins by identifying the sheep gate being rebuilt by priests (v1)
-- This gate would’ve been on the Jericho Road; used for entrance of sheep
-- Sheep would’ve been brought here for sacrifice of sins as a ceremonial event
-- Therefore, to have the priests build it makes perfect sense
- The text suggest it was totally destroyed; and they ceremonially dedicated it
-- The entire wall would not be dedicated for years to come; but this was important
-- It was the first act of reclaiming what was rightfully theirs; their heritage
- The priests built the wall up to the Tower of the Hundred; a military barracks
-- They also built to the Tower of Hananel; a defensive strategy point in the wall
- The men of Jericho (v2) took over from there; Re IMP: This a joint project
- The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah (v3)
-- This gate was used to bring fish into the market from Sea of Galilee or Med Sea
- Meremoth, son or Uriah, continued to build the next section of wall
-- Hakkoz accompanied Zerubbabel back to Jerusalem years before
-- He had a problem validating his family lineage; was excluded from temple
- APP: Later when it was validated by Ezra in Jerusalem they were restored
-- This family’s dedication to the city is second to none, even after being shunned
- The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa
-- This would’ve been a small city south of Jerusalem who supplied help
-- Although, notice the passive refusal to work of the nobles (v5) “too good for it”
-- The local men however were more than willing to work and be a part
- TRANS: As we can already see, this project is not a one man job …
∆ Point 2 – The Western Wall
- Turning a corner in the wall’s construction, we proceed down the side of the city
- The Jeshanah gate (aka old gate) was then repaired by Joiada and Meshullam
-- Jeshanah was an old city in the kingdom of Israel, rich in tradition (v6)
-- This gate’s name probably was a hat tip to their ancient traditions
- APP: Something that we ought to hold fast too as well …
-- It is an encouragement for us to also remember where you’ve come from
- The next section was built by men and women from neighboring towns (v7)
-- Additionally, merchants and traders also helped secure this part of the wall
-- Most likely, they would’ve had a financial interest in seeing this completed
-- APP: If you are a seller of gold/goods, you need security from robbers
- These different families continued repairs all the way to the Valley Gate
- APP: Notice how these people were repairing sections by their homes
-- Need you to see something here: Nehemiah’s charge is very simple:
-- If you rebuild the area immediately around you and the work will be quick
- APP: Can you see the connection to us? What if we rebuilt around us?
-- What if we spent time bringing people to Christ immediately around us?
-- HUGE: We get discouraged because the world is so big - but our world is small
- The Valley Gate apparently opened out to the valley of Hinnom (v13)
-- It was the gate Nehemiah traveled out of to inspect the walls of the city
-- The men who rebuilt it also repaired 1,000 cubits of wall length
-- 1,000 cubits is app. 500 yards of the wall (huge) leading to the Dung Gate (v14)
- The Dung Gate would’ve been used to remove rubbish and trash from the city
-- Outside this gate would’ve been a massive burn pile (trash and other things)
- TRANS: So now let’s move to the Eastern wall and travel back up
∆ Point 3 – The Eastern Wall
- This rebuild begins at the Fountain Gate near the pool of Siloah (v15)
-- It was often used by the people for cleaning before proceeding on to the temple
-- This gate needed extensive repair such as roofing and replacing the doors
- Shallun also repaired the Pool of Siloam by the King’s Garden
-- Note: Many of these areas are long since destroyed and difficult to see today
- Nehemiah then repaired a section as well; terminating at David’s tomb (v16)
-- IMP: A leader not only goes the way, he SHOWS the way as well
-- We must be willing to be the example that we are calling others too
- The next several sections were rebuilt by the Levites (v17-21)
-- APP: Nehemiah takes great pride in naming people for their fervor
-- Beruch for example is mentioned as one who “zealously repaired”
-- Additionally, priests from neighboring towns also came to assist (v22)
- Add to that, citizens (v23-25) come to the aid to work on the wall as well
-- These were probably those whose houses were right at the location
-- Re: If someone is offering to build a wall to help keep you safe …
- The Water Gate led down to the Gihon Spring, where water was brought in
-- The wall is continued to be built and constructed up to the Horse Gate (v28)
-- This gate was close to the King’s stables; provided access for soldiers
-- Note: The men of Jerusalem would ride their horses out of this gate to war
- And again we see that priests are making repairs above this (by their homes)
-- They would be very near the temple at this time and they had vested interest
- The East Gate was the entrance to the temple (opposite Mt of Olives) (v29)
-- The rebuilding continues all the way to the Inspection Gate (v31)
-- Tradition says at this gate David would meet his troops to inspect them
- The Bible then tells us that local merchants also chipped in to rebuild the wall
-- This effort, finally completes where it began, back at the Sheep Gate
- TRANS: So, the Big Q: Why is this chapter and its events so important?
∆ Big Idea
- Nehemiah mentions each name because each person is important to God
-- Every one of these people had a purpose to fulfill God’s work; so do we
- In the Kingdom of God, the greatest accomplishments happen from unity
-- We too are supposed to have unity in the church; a love for God and others
-- Today is Valentine’s Day: what greater way to show God’s love than unity?
-- When we have unity of purpose it really is amazing what can be done
- As we can see, a united effort FAR exceeds the individual parts
-- What is God asking you to be a part of today to help advance His kingdom?
-- Can we not start right in our own world by being a part of building?
-- RE: Invitation series: If you won’t invite others, what’s that say to them?
- Pray
