Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 These are the people who helped rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem: The high priest Eliashib and the other priests rebuilt Sheep Gate and hung its doors. Then they dedicated Sheep Gate and the section of the wall as far as Hundred Tower and Hananel Tower. 2 The people of Jericho rebuilt the next section of the wall, and Zaccur son of Imri rebuilt the section after that. 3 The family of Hassenaah built Fish Gate. They put the beams in place and hung the doors, then they added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. 4 Meremoth, son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz, completed the next section of the wall. Meshullam, son of Berechiah and grandson of Meshezabel, rebuilt the next section, and Zadok son of Baana rebuilt the section beside that. 5 The next section was to be repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their town leaders refused to do the hard work they were assigned. 6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah restored Ancient Gate. They put the beams in place, hung the doors, and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. 7 Melatiah from Gibeon, Jadon from Meronoth, and the men from Gibeon and Mizpah rebuilt the next section of the wall. This section reached as far as the house of the governor of West Euphrates Province. 8 Uzziel son of Harhaiah the goldsmith rebuilt the next section. Hananiah the perfume maker rebuilt the section next after that, and it went as far as Broad Wall. 9 Rephaiah son of Hur ruled half of the Jerusalem District, and he rebuilt the next section of the wall. 10 The section after that was close to the home of Jedaiah son of Harumaph, and he rebuilt it. Hattush son of Hashabneiah constructed the next section of the wall. 11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath Moab rebuilt the section after that, and they also built Oven Tower. 12 Shallum son of Hallohesh ruled the other half of the Jerusalem District, and he rebuilt the next section of the wall. Shallum's daughters also worked with him. 13 Hanun and the people who lived in the town of Zanoah rebuilt Valley Gate. They hung the doors and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. They also rebuilt the wall for 440 meters, all the way to Garbage Gate. 14 Malchijah son of Rechab ruled the district of Beth-Haccherem, and he rebuilt Garbage Gate. He hung the doors and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. 15 Shallum son of Colhozeh ruled the district of Mizpah, and he rebuilt Fountain Gate. He put a cover over the gateway, then hung the doors and added metal bolts and wooden beams as locks. He also rebuilt the wall at Shelah Pool. This section was next to the king's garden and went as far as the stairs leading down from David's City. 16 Nehemiah son of Azbuk ruled half of the district of Beth-Zur, and he rebuilt the next section of the wall. It went as far as the royal cemetery, the artificial pool, and the army barracks.
Nehemiah 3:1-16
Romans 12:4-5
4 A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. 5 That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.
Can you imagine building a wall thick enough to walk on all the way around your city? It would probably take a long time.
However, the Israelites didn’t have a long time. After the King of Babylon told them they could go home, they were so excited. And when they got to Jerusalem, the Israelites wanted to feel safe. But without a wall to protect them, they were not safe.
That’s why Nehemiah convinced everyone to help build one. Priests built the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1), and families built walls and gates by their homes (Nehemiah 3:2-16). Because they worked together, they finished the wall in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15)!
That’s super fast. Can you imagine how much teamwork and coordination it took them to build it? Even more so when you realize that their neighbors didn’t want them to succeed, so half of the Israelites had to stop building so they could protect the workers (Nehemiah 4:16). But, even though their enemies tried to stop them, they kept trusting God and working (Nehemiah 4:4). When we trust God and work together, he can accomplish some pretty amazing things through us.
If you look at your life, is there something you’re struggling to do right now? Maybe you have a school presentation coming up, but you’re scared of speaking in front of people. Or perhaps you’re trying to make a present for a friend, but you don’t know how. Who could you ask to help you overcome your obstacle?
We all need help sometimes. That’s okay. God made us that way back at the beginning of creation (Genesis 2:18). So, if you find yourself needing help, reach out and ask. Who knows what you will be able to do when you work together?