10000 BRICKS: Everyone Has a Part
Nehemiah 3:1-32
#10000Bricks
READ NEHEMIAH 3:1-32 (ESV)
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. 6 Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahathmoab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters. 13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate. 14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Bethhaccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 15 And Shallum the son of Colhozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king's garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Bethzur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. 17 After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 18 After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19 Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and to the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. 28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.
HARD BIBLE READING
After I got done reading chapter 3 of Nehemiah, which we just read as best we could, I thought to myself: how boring. I also wondered to myself: How am I going to read that whole thing on Sunday? So, I pulled up Biblegateway and listened to the chapter in the Message version (MSG) thinking that it would jazz up the chapter. It didn’t. Reading through chapters of the Bible like Nehemiah 3 is like slogging through cement. The names are different. The places are unknown. It feels like something that has nothing to do with me or you or us. When we read the Bible, we are predisposed to ask questions like:
“How does this apply to me?”
“What does this mean for my feelings, my identity, or daily life for my family?”
We are not supposed to think that parts of the Bible are boring or irrelevant. We probably aren’t even allowed to use boring… irrelevant… and Bible in the same sentence if we want to consider ourselves true followers of God.
I mean, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says…
READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Bible, all the Bible, is breathed out by God and is His Word, thought, and record of how He has dealt with humanity throughout history. The Apostle Paul, who wrote 2 Timothy, even calls the Bible “profitable.”
Nehemiah 3 does not feel “profitable” in any sense of the word. I also think this, if I am way too honest, about parts of Leviticus, whole sections of Joshua, and even some parts of the New Testament in the book of Acts. There are reasons why we may think this.
First, the Bible is written to an audience that had an ancient, not modern or postmodern way of thinking. People to whom the Bible was written were asking different questions than us:
“Who belongs to us?”
“Who belongs to God?”
“Who owns what land and who has a legitimate claim?”
“Has God kept His promises to real people in real places?”
So, when we read sections of Leviticus about Old Testament bloody laws and rituals or Joshua 14–19 about land allotments or Nehemiah 3 about who repaired which section of wall or a family list in Matthew 1 or a travel log in Acts about who went where and why, we are reading historical and sometimes legal documents, not devotionals. To ancient readers to whom the Bible was written, this was not any section to skip, but this was proof that God is Who He says He is and God does what He says He will do. Proof.
Second, we live in a culture that likes self-serving story-driven information. We love when something relates to us immediately. We love narrative, conflict, characters, emotion, and plot twists which is why reality TV exists and is popular. We struggle with things like lists, records, boundaries, genealogies, and statistics. Ancient people did not separate “story” and “record” the way we do. Records were part of the story. To them, the whole record showed that the names and places prove that what was talked about really happened and that YHWH God really acted in history.
Third, sometimes the passages we read answer questions that we are not asking or sometimes don’t even know to ask. For example, in Nehemiah 3, the questions might be:
Who stood up and rebuilt the city?
Who was faithful to God when all seemed lost?
Who took responsibility when called?
Who followed the leading of God when it was hard?
That last question, “Who followed the leading of God when it was hard?” actually feels a bit relevant. That is a question we should ask!
Who followed the leading of God when it was hard?
Do you and I follow God when the leading of God is hard?
Do we think that God’s will is easy and does not require work or sacrifice?
Do we take the easy road thinking the easy road is always God’s will?
Who follows the leading of God when it is hard?
Fourth, our way of thinking and the ways ancient people thought was very different. Ancient people tended to be concrete thinkers. They thought in terms of people, places, bloodlines, land boundaries, the placement of stones, the function of walls, and safety of cities. God’s faithfulness and His identity and His will isn’t proven by a nice idea about hope, but rather, “Here is the names, the places, and the record of who did what when rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. We are abstract thinkers often. We think in terms of ideas, concepts, and principles. I don’t know that either is right or wrong, but it is just different.
Lastly and most importantly, we may think whole sections of the Bible are boring or unprofitable because they are not about us. We expect the Bible to be immediately personal, emotionally impactful, and intensely practical. This isn’t our fault, actually. The Bible sets itself up to be just those things. Hebrews 4 says…
READ HEBREWS 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
When we come to a passage like Nehemiah 3, we are reading about what God did in history. We are not reading about how we feel this morning. Ironically, that’s what makes it trustworthy. Almost all of the boring chapters of the Bible show that:
God works through real people in real places doing real things.
God keeps specific promises that He makes.
God cares about the details of our lives and is involved.
God builds His kingdom through many ordinary, unnamed acts of faithfulness by many people.
God anchors our redemption in real history, not fake myth or fantasy.
SUMMARY
So, yeah, when I read Nehemiah 3, I was bored. It is hard reading.
TRANSITION
I still wonder though, because I am a product of my culture (and you are too!)… what does Nehemiah 3 have to do with me? What does it have to do with you? What does it have to do with us? I noticed the question I mentioned earlier and two things in the passage which I would like to bring to your attention.
THE QUESTION: DO YOU FOLLOW GOD WHEN IT IS HARD?
As I said before, sometimes passages in the Bible address questions that we are not asking or sometimes don’t even know to ask. For example, in Nehemiah 3, the questions might be:
Who stood up and rebuilt the city?
Who was faithful to God when all seemed lost?
Who took responsibility when called?
Who followed the leading of God when it was hard?
That last question grabbed my attention and should grab yours as well. “Who follows the leading of God when it is hard?” is an extremely relevant question for each of us. The reason that is a relevant question is because obedience to God is often costly, especially when God’s timing feels slow. It is also a relevant question because we don’t always want to do what God tells us to do. God does not always pick the easier path for us and so faith is not so convenient when it is hard. We like easy and convenient even if it is not good for us. It is why hot pockets exist.
We see that often people walk away from God or cease to be obedient because it is too hard:
* The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years (Numbers 14, Exodus 16-17) because all they could do was complain when life was hard and God didn’t perform like they thought He should. I should add that they compromised to make an idol in their impatience (Exodus 32) when Moses took to long in talking with God.
* King Saul (1 Samuel 13-15) started out well, but eventually walked away from God.
* King Solomon (1 Kings 11) started out well, but eventually walked away from God.
* King Joash (2 Chronicles 17-24) started out well, but eventually walked away from God.
* In Jesus’ parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), only 1 of 4 types of people mentioned remain faithful to the Gospel. In Jesus’ parable, only 25% of those who come in contact with the Gospel persevere and stay faithful.
* The rich young ruler (Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 19) walked away from Jesus because Jesus asked more from him than he was willing to give.
* Many disciples left Jesus (John 6) when He taught spiritually hard things and demanded much of them.
* A man named Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) picked the world over Jesus and abandoned Paul.
We see that often people walk away from God or cease to be obedient because it is too hard or costly or God asks them to walk a road that is difficult. Is that you? Is that someone you know? Is that me? Is that us? Do you follow God when it is hard or are you only faithful to God when life is good? Or even more dangerously, are you faithful to God so that your life will be good?
Everyone of us has a part in asking this question of ourselves. It is a question that no one can answer for you, but it is a worthy question especially as we keep Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 in mind:
READ MATTHEW 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
TRANSITION
This is a worthy question to ask ourselves: Do I follow God when it is hard? There are two other parts of the passage that also are worthy of our attention. A phrase in verse 5 caught my eye and then a repeated phrase in the chapter later as well.
VERSE 5: TOO PROUD TO STOOP
READ NEHEMIAH 3:5 (ESV)
And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.
It struck me that the people of Tekoa pitched in to help, but the “nobles” would not. Tekoa is best known as the hometown of the prophet Amos. It also was the birthplace of Ira (1 Chronicles 11:28) who was one of David’s mighty men. Tekoa was about twelve miles from Jerusalem and was part of the southern defensive hub of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 11:6). The big city of Jerusalem and the smaller town of Tekoa would have relied on each other; so it makes sense that folks in Tekoa would want Jerusalem up and running and thriving. A strong Jerusalem meant they were protected as well.
Verse 5 tells us that they repaired part of the wall, but the “nobles” did not. The word used here for “nobles” is a word that means “of high rank and importance.” These of high importance would not bend or give or contribute to the effort to build the wall. We aren’t told why they would not put their shoulders and backs into it, but they didn’t. When it comes to God’s will, everyone has a part in obedience and following Him. Leaders serve towards God. Followers follow to God. Everyone has a part to play, especially in a church or a church family, to stoop, submit, and follow the lead of God. We see this in the Bible, especially in the book of Acts, when verses comment that the believers were in unity or they were in “one accord.” A group aimed in the same direction for God is powerful and the leaders should lead the way.
ILLUSTRATION… William Wallace, Braveheart (1995)
In the movie Braveheart, William Wallace is standing face-to-face with a nobleman who represents power, position, and control. One man believes authority exists to serve himself. The other believes authority exists to serve the people. They’re arguing about what leadership is really for. Is it about status? Is it about comfort? Is it about preserving your own power? Or is it about using your position so others can live free?
And in that moment, Wallace draws a line in the sand and says: “There’s a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.”
The noble people in Tekoa with power were comfortable and sedentary. This does not speak well of the leadership of Tekoa that when the will of God became known, they sat on their hands. I think there is a good application here. When we know what the will of God is, we should not sit on our hands. When God gives us work to do, we should follow Him with all our might. I could not help but think of Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 3:
READ COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 (ESV)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
When it comes to the will of God, especially if you are a leader in our church, don’t sit on your hands and do nothing. Join in what God is doing and work for Him building His kingdom. Stoop, submit, and serve.
TRANSITION
The next portion of the passage has a repeated phrase that people repaired the wall near their homes. This makes a whole lot of sense. People, by human nature, will work harder on the section of the wall that protects them and their family as opposed to strangers.
VERSE 10, 23, 29, 30: DO GOOD AT HOME
READ NEHEMIAH 3:10, 23, 29, 30
(verse 10) Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired.
…
(verse 23) After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house.
…
(verses 29-30) After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber.
Repeated four times in this passage we have the fact that people set to work building, repairing, and setting gates in areas that were close to their home. Home was to be their focus. The folks working did not have to worry about the whole wall, but just the section near to their homes and families.
I know sometimes we think that God’s will may take us elsewhere or far away or to scary places, but it is always God’s will that you and I share faith with the people who are closest to us. Ministry starts at home. Sharing the Gospel starts in our own house. Faithfulness to God starts in areas that we might think are “the little things.”
Jesus taught us in Like 16:
READ LUKE 16:10 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Everyone had a part as they worked under Nehemiah restoring the wall. Each person had a part near their home. They were not concerned about the whole wall, but were to be concerned with their part of it.
I believe this principle will become important as our church family takes steps towards the building of a new sanctuary. That is an undertaking that is complicated and vast. We need to follow God. We need to focus on what God has burdened us to do and leave the rest to others.
CONCLUSION
I know that when we read through Nehemiah 3, it is hard reading with lots of names that we do not care about for a wall that is on the other side of the world which is in a city that does not matter to us. In Nehemiah’s day, everyone had a part in following God’s will to build up the wall.
Very soon, our congregation will be building on something that is important to us. Not far away. Here. Not for another church. Here. In our day, everyone has a part in following God’s will to build up the church.
PRAYER and INVITATION
