Building at the Gates-Nehemiah 3:1-32
Nehemiah 3:1-32
Key Verse: 1a
“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…”
Nehemiah was a leader who had a clear goal to restore his nation by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah had compassion, conviction, and courage to carry out this mission with God’s help. After obtaining permission and supplies from the King of Persia, Nehemiah went to observe the condition of the walls. Then he called his community members together and they got ready to implement the work. The people had willing hearts, supplies, and a clear goal. The only problem now was YBH. Do you know what YBH stands for? — “Yeah, but how?” This may be the question we ask ourselves when we have a vision and a passion to fulfill a need, but lack a precise action plan to make our vision happen step by step. Many Bible commentaries skip Nehemiah chapter 3 because it appears to be too boring and irrelevant. But when we study about the workers and the gates they built, we can find meaningful implementation for goals in Christian life and ministry. Let’s learn from Nehemiah’s action plan and pray to find our own strategy for successful Christian life.
First, the starting gate (1-2)
Nehemiah organized the work of rebuilding the wall beginning at the Sheep Gate and making a counter-clockwise progression around the city of Jerusalem. The paragraphs of this passage are organized by the gates. There are ten gates mentioned. Gates were the point of access for all who came and went from the city. Gates were the location of formal and informal social events. The city wall had to do with protection and honor, but the gates were necessary for quality social and spiritual life. All citizens used one or more gates in their daily work and activities. Many cities in history have had gates for access. The Imperial City in China was famous for its gates which marked a system of social hierarchy based on how many gates a person was authorized to enter. Whoever could enter the last gate could visit with the Emperor himself. Also many universities, such as Yale, have gates to give a sense of prestige to the students who can enter. Believe it or not, from 1965 to 1993 UIC had gates and walls around the main campus. These gates were intended to protect students from the riots and protests of the civil rights era. The gates of Jerusalem were used for tasks which directly or indirectly served God. So, the name of each gate reveals something about the practical life of serving God.
Verse 1 begins “…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…” There is a good reason why Nehemiah began construction with the Sheep Gate. The Sheep Gate was the way that sheep were brought from the fields into the city. It was near the temple and was mainly used by priests and temple servants. In the Old Testament period, the people of Jerusalem practiced worship based on a sacrificial system. Established by God’s command to Moses hundreds of years earlier, a lamb without defect was to be slaughtered and brought to the temple where it was placed on the alter as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. This was practiced in a yearly cycle. About five hundred years after Nehemiah’s time, Jesus came as the sacrifice for sin once and for all. John 1:29 says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The Bible calls Jesus the Lamb of God. Just as Nehemiah began the rebuilding project at the Sheep Gate, the starting gate of our lives of faith is to come to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Jesus said in John 10:7, “I am the gate for the sheep, whoever enters through me will be saved.” Without Jesus, our busy work and acts of service amount to nothing. In order to find and implement God’s plan for our lives, we must begin by coming to Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and entry into eternal life. You don’t need any privileged key cards or high-class credentials to come through Jesus’ gate of saving grace—just faith to believe in Jesus, who died and rose again to redeem us and provide an atonement for our sins. Look at verse 1 again. Notice that the High Priest and his fellow priests worked on rebuilding this gate. They were the leaders, and they set a good example by being the first ones to start the work. They were not like those who say, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Rather, these priests led by going ahead of the people and setting a good example.
Second, T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K spells success (3-12)
Verse 3 begins, “The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah…” The Fish Gate was located to the west of the Sheep Gate. Merchants used this gate when they brought fish from the Mediterranean Sea, and there may have been a fish market near the gate. This made it a main entrance to the city for citizens as well as visitors. All kinds of people passed through this gate as they went about their business of buying, selling, talking, and eating. The symbol of the fish has historically been a symbol for Christian witness. We can notice that many Christians have a fish bumper sticker on their cars these days. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 4:19, “I will make you fishers of men”. Though the disciples were ordinary fishermen, Jesus enabled them to catch men for the kingdom of God when they evangelized Jews and Gentiles. Unlike the fate of physical fish which are eaten after being caught, our Christian witness catches people out of a dark and sinful life and leads them to joyful eternal life with Jesus. When Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28, to go and preach the gospel to all nations, it was for all Christians.
As we look at the people in verses 3-12, we can see that all kinds of people participated in the work of building the gates and walls. There was almost one hundred percent participation. There were rulers, such as Rephaiah son of Hur (v.9) and there were people under authority (v.5). There were city people, such as Jedaiah son of Harumaph who worked opposite his house (v.10), and there were people from out in the country, such as the men of Tekoa (v.5). There were men, such as Shallum son of Hallohesh, and there were women, such as his daughters (v.12). There were also people of different job skills, such as Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers. The goldsmith may have had relevant construction skills for building, but the perfume-maker seems to have nothing useful to offer. Yet they all participated in the work of rebuilding the gates and walls of Jerusalem. And with their help, the city not only looked nice, but it smelled nice too. Everyone had something to contribute. We all have a gift that can be brought out and used to glorify God. It may be a refined skill, a latent talent, or even a good attitude. Our West Loop Praise Band members are continually refining their music skills to serve the worship service. Others work diligently to invite their friends to study the Word of God. Still others have a laugh that makes everyone have a joyful attitude.
In addition to participation, there was cooperation among the builders. The words “next to” are found twenty times in chapter 3. Verse 4 says, “Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs.” The builders were not competing, but worked in concert together, often side by side. Even families worked together, such as Shallum and his daughters (v.12) In last week’s message, we learned from Tim Fitch that “T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K spells success” and that “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘TEAMWORK’. When geese fly in a ‘V’ formation, they become 72 percent faster. There are many encouraging stories about great tasks that were accomplished through cooperation. When Hurricane Katrina brought catastrophic damage to the Gulf Coast, help and support came from all across America and the world. Over 70 countries pledged monetary donations. Many charitable organizations and volunteers helped with evacuation, communication, clean-up, food, and medical care. God’s mission of building up the Christian church is accomplished through cooperation. Cooperation will especially be necessary at the Summer International Bible Conference at Purdue with 3,000 attendants. Verse 5 mentions that the nobles of Tekoa “would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.” But Nehemiah did not get irritated with these few who would not participate. Instead, he moved on to work with many others who were willing to participate. A good leader works with those who want to work, and does not waste energy trying to force those who are unwilling.
Verse 6 begins, “The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah…” Jeshanah is the Hebew word for ‘old’. This gate was apparently very old. Old people probably remembered it, and young people did not. Christian tradition says that Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred near this gate. Paradoxically, this old gate led to the newest section of the city. One hymn goes “tell me the old old story of Jesus and his love”. There is also a psalm that tells us to “sing unto the Lord a new song”. The gospel of Jesus is an old story, but it applies to a new generation. When we participate in building the ministry of the Gospel, we bring old and also new things.
Verse 10 states that “Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house…” Five verses mention people who worked near their own homes (10,23,28,29,30). When one works close to home, he is more likely to do well. We are more motivated to do things that are close to our hearts than to do things that seem distant. Working from home is also efficient; it saves commuting time. Tommy and Martina have interest in graphic design. They have used their interests to decorate our Bible house for special events. We don’t have to wait to become Bible scholars to serve God. We can each develop our own areas of interest and use them to serve God now.
Third, take out the trash. (13-27)
Verse 13 begins, “The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah.” The Valley Gate led down to the Valley of Hinnom. There were several valleys around the hill-top city of Jerusalem. The valleys were the places where tombs were located. Valleys symbolize sorrow and suffering in the Bible. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” In describing Jesus as the Messiah, John the Baptist said, “Every valley shall be filled in.” (Luke 3:5) He meant that Jesus comforts us in our sorrows and takes away our sins. Christian life is not always easy and care-free. In the course of building up our lives of faith, we face trials and suffering. But Jesus comforts us in our sorrows.
Verse 14 begins, “The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem…” The Dung Gate was where people brought out their garbage. A healthy city needs a place to take out the trash. The Dung Gate was probably the least appealing place to work, but we can notice in verse 14 that the person who worked there was a ruler. This ruler must have been a very humble man. He reminds of Jesus who “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Php2:7). Jesus not only does the king’s job, but he also does the servant’s job. Once as a demonstration of his loving and serving heart, Jesus washed his disciples’ smelly feet (Jn13:5). Sinful pride makes us want only the glorious jobs. But Jesus’ humble love inspires us to be willing to do unpopular tasks to serve God and others. We can even clean the bathroom. There is also trash to clean out of our hearts. Sin is like trash in our hearts. Sin pushes God away from us. But the Bible tells us that we must repent of our sins. When we do so, we can make room for God in our hearts.
Verse 15 begins, “The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah…” The Fountain Gate led to the Pool of Siloam, which was the place where Jesus once healed a blind man (Jn.9:6). There was also a Water Gate in verse 26, which led to the Gihon Spring. This was the city’s main water supply. People went there do get drinking water and also to do their dirty dishes. Jesus’ word is like water that quenches our souls. Jesus said in John 4:13,14, “…Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Sometimes life seems like burden upon burden, but Jesus washes away the guilt of our sins and gives us true joy when we hide his words in our hearts. Notice in verse 20 that Baruch son of Zabbai worked “zealously”. He may have whistled while he worked and had an extra bounce in his step. At West Loop UBF, we have a prayer topic to “Have fun serving God!” We can do so when we get rid of sinful trash and when we refresh our hearts with Jesus’ words of joy and hope.
Fourth, inspect the work and respect the workers (28-32).
The Horse Gate in verse 28 was where the people prepared for warfare. But if you don’t mind, we’ll wait to hear about this topic from Dr. Ben Toh’s message next week on Nehemiah chapter 4. I’ll skip ahead to verse 29b which says, “…Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs.” According to the prophet Ezekiel (Ezk 43:1-5), when Jesus the Messiah returns, he will enter Jerusalem from the East Gate. Notice that the builder working here was also a guard. The Bible says that we should watch and wait for Jesus’ second coming. We should be ready for Jesus when he comes by working hard and being faithful. It is tempting to waste time when the boss leaves the room, but Jesus will come at an unexpected time. It will be like a final exam in which we all must give an account to God of what we have done with our lives, and he will give us a spiritual report card.
The last Gate was the Inspection Gate in verse 31. This was where military troops were numbered and inspected. Leaders have a tendency to inspect their subordinates with harsh criticism. But there is a saying that “when one points his finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at himself”. Leaders should generally be tough on themselves but encouraging toward others. When we review this passage, we can see that Nehemiah did not dish out criticism. Instead, he gave recognition and appreciation to all the workers who helped build the walls and gates. He credited 38 individuals for their participation. He gave one man an honorable mention, recording that he worked “zealously” (v.20). He credited women (v.12) as well as men. It is important to recognize and reward people for their efforts. This ends a project with respect and a sense of celebration. It inspires us to work on another project. When we read this chapter, Nehemiah’s name is not mentioned anywhere. Yet Nehemiah recorded the entire project in exquisite detail. Nehemiah followed the principle of MBWA: management by walking around. He walked around and observed every detail of the walls and gates. He worked behind the scenes by documenting, encouraging, and orchestrating the project. Let us take a moment of self-inspection. Let’s respect others who have helped us, and let’s grow as responsible leaders like Nehemiah.
Today we learned how to build up a Christian life by studying about the construction of the walls and gates of Jerusalem and by examining the people who did the work. Christian life begins with Jesus, represented by the Sheep Gate. Without Jesus, our work amounts to nothing. Jesus’ death of atonement enables us to serve God. The Fish Gate reminds us that Christian life is teamwork, that faith is to be shared, and that everyone has a special gift to offer to God. The Dung Gate reminds us to take out the sinful trash in our hearts and that humble jobs are just as important as glorious ones. The Fountain Gate reminds us that Jesus gives us joy in our work. And the Inspection Gate reminds us to be accountable for ourselves as well as to reward others. Let’s build up our lives of Christian faith, and let’s build up our West Loop ministry!
