It can seem like a boring, pointless section of Scripture, this Nehemiah Chapter 3, but it's there for a reason. It contains name after name of those who built the walls of the city of Jerusalem, describing each one's section of the wall and what they did.
Reading this passage might at first seem like a treatment for insomnia, but read it closely, and it is clear that in writing it, Nehemiah had a purpose. Evidently, he wanted to record for posterity the names of those who sacrificed for the good of the city. Saying thank you is always in order, and especially so when an important undertaking is accomplished. And make no mistake. Building the walls of a city was incredibly important. In those days the walls provided protection from attack, and the strength of those walls could be the difference between life and death, freedom and slavery.
Ezekiel, in the 22nd chapter of his book, laments that in his day God was looking for a man to build a wall and stand in the gap before him on behalf of the land, but he could find no one (verse 30). The nation needed a Nehemiah, someone who knew how to build a wall. But just as important, the nation needed an army of Eliashibs and Zaccurs and Hananels. They needed some Meremoths and Zadoks and Jehoiadas. The needed some Meshullams and Melatiahs. It's no different today. Each of us has our own small place on the wall where we can each make difference.
No work is too small, no effort too meager for God to use. When the young lad brought five loaves and two fish to Jesus, the offering was sufficient to be a blessing for the multitude.
So if you ever get discouraged by how little you have to offer, remember Nehemiah 3. Your part of the wall is just as important as any other, and God will honor the work you do to build it.
Lenny Cacchio
http://www.kccog.org/
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