| Introduction "Let us rise up and build," was the last thing we heard the people of Jerusalem say. They were excited. They had just heard a rousing speech from Nehemiah. Everyone would understand if the passing of time dampened their enthusiasm. But the next thing we hear is that they are hard at work on the wall. I am going to continue reading to the end of the chapter. I encourage you to follow along in a Bible because this is not the easiest chapter to listen to. As we read it together, look for details other than the names. This sermon will have just two points. For the first part, we are going to try to understand the chapter itself: names, location, topography, general points of interest, etc. In the second part, having crossed into Nehemiah's world, we will make our way back to our world and will bring Nehemiah's world with us. I. The Building of the Wall 2,500 years ago. "This chapter is one of the most important in the OT for determining the topography of Jerusalem." Edwin Yamauchi in The Expositor's Bible Commentary A. Did you notice a name that is conspicuously absent? 1. Nehemiah is not listed at all. a. The Nehemiah of v. 16 is a different Nehemiah. b. The boss Nehemiah is the son of Hachaliah. c. Verse 16 Nehemiah is the son of Azbuk. 2. From later chapters, we learn that Nehemiah was heavily involved in the actual construction of the wall. 3. We also know that this is his project and most likely he organized the work. 4. But instead of including his name in the greatest moment of his public career, Nehemiah gives all the credit to the people and to their God! Neh. 6:16 – And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. B. The scope of the chapter. 1. This chapter is an overview of the entire building project. 2. In chapter 4 and following Nehemiah give us more details of how the rebuilding went. C. The scope of the project. 1. The total length of the wall was just under two miles. 2. 41 separate groups are named as participating in rebuilding 42 sections of the wall, including 10 different gates, three towers, and at least one house. 3. Dividing the length of the wall by 42 yields about 250 feet per section of construction. a. The sections, though, were of different lengths. b. From verse 13, we know that at least one section was over 1,700 feet long, and from verses 21 we know some were fairly short. c. Seeing that Nehemiah seemed to have a reason for everything he did, we can assume that the different lengths had to do with the difficulty of rebuilding the section (how damaged) or how many people were part of the group rebuilding it. 1) The long section of v. 13 was assigned to a whole town and there is evidence that the section was less damaged than others. 2) Perhaps Meremoth had a small family. 4. However long a section was, we must realize that the work was back-breaking. a. The gathering of supplies, the constant vigilance for attacks of the enemy, and also working your day job was incredibly difficult. b. Not to mention that they had incredible amounts of debris they needed to move out of the way. 1) Remember the wall had been destroyed and left there. 2) Verse 16 indicates that at this point the line of the wall was changed from the line of the old wall presumably because of the difficulty of getting through the old path. 3) This is in no way easy work – Team Timothy 2005 to Triunfo. Neh. 6:15-16 – So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. 1. It is important to note that the whole Judean community was involved in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, not just those who lived there. a. Nehemiah mentions the involvement of the 5 rules of the 5 administrative districts: Jerusalem, Beth Haccerem, Mizpa, Beth Zur, and Keilah. b. In addition, he mentions people from Tekoa, Jericho, Gibeon, and Zanoah. 2. Notice too the types of people that are listed as building the wall. a. Priests, Levites, temple workers, perfumers, goldsmiths, merchants, city officials, private individuals, women, people from the city, people who lived nearby. b. Interestingly, of all the people listed, there is no mention of carpenters or masons. 1) They are probably there, but the Holy Spirit is making the point that this was the work (ministry) of every citizen of Judea. 2) These were common, everyday people who had other callings in their lives doing the work of the Lord. 3. Not everyone in the Jewish community supported Nehemiah's plans – the nobles of Tekoa just plain old refused to help, 5. a. The impression we get is that they refused to help even though they were standing right there. b. Nehemiah notes that they are not rebelling against him, but against their Lord. c. Contrast that with the common people of Tekoa who not only put their shoulder to the work, but actually built TWO sections of the wall, 5 & 27. d. This contrast reminds me of Paul says in 1 Cor. 1 that it is largely the common, everyday people who are called to serve the Lord and who do amazing things in his kingdom. 1 Cor. 1:26-29 – For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 4. There were some who, even though did not see eye to eye with Nehemiah, worked together to build the wall because they knew this was the work of the Lord. a. The very first name mentioned is of the high priest Eliashib, 1. b. Later on, we learn that Eliashib's family did not agree with Nehemiah on their association with Sanballat and Nehemiah kicks them out of town. Neh. 13:28 – And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me. "The very length and detail of the list demonstrates the evident willingness unselfishly to cooperate which each individual and group displayed. Without a determination to submit personal pride and ambition to the larger task, the work could never have been accomplished so swiftly and successfully." H.G.M. Williamson in Word Biblical Commentary E. The Building Strategy, 23. 1. Each group seems to have been assigned a section either protecting or giving access to an area of personal interest – even the out of towners were working on gates that would give them access to the city. 2. It makes sense to have people fix parts of the wall closest to their homes – one may just be a little more careful and dedicated when that's the case. II. The Building of the Wall Today. "This part of Nehemiah's story is a glimpse into God's Old Testament church in action, and Christians who love God's church (and all Christians should love God's church) find this chapter exciting and suggestive: exciting because here we see an example of what the church can be, a powerful and united force attempting and accomplishing great things for God; suggestive because it tells us that this should not be an isolated incident in the life of the church but a powerful incentive to learn from the example shown here and be equally busy fulfilling God's call for us in our own time." Derek Thomas in Reformed Expository Commentary: Ezra & Nehemiah A. Dr. Thomas is on to something great here: this chapter is exciting and suggestive for us here today. B. Some of you may have a difficult time with the idea that what Nehemiah did and said to Israel in the Old Testament is relevant appropriately applicable to the church today, so let me take just a couple of minutes to show you that it is so. 1. The apostolic saints had no problem referring to Israel in the OT as the church. Acts 7:38 – This is he who was in the [church] in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us…. 2. Several NT authors speak of the church in terms of being Jerusalem/Mt. Zion. Heb. 12:22-24 – But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who areregistered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. Gal. 4:26 – … but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 3. The NT also says that these things were written for our benefit. 1 Cor. 10:11 – Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Rom. 15:4 – For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 4. It is proper to apply this passage to the ministry of the church today even though this is a civil project accomplished 2,500 years ago. C. This is an exciting passage for us as we think of serving the Lord in the work of his kingdom. 1 This massive project was accomplished by common, everyday people under the providential hand of God. a. There was no miracle going here. b. Just the people of God putting the shoulder to the work. 2 That is how God usually works: through people like us. a. We tend to think that we don't have the resources, time, skills, etc., to be of any consequence for the kingdom God. b. Yet, God has given us all the resources acquired by Jesus Christ on the cross and he has given us his Spirit. Eph. 3:14-21 – For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 3. It is exciting to see that the great God, Creator of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ has appointed you and me to do the work of the kingdom in the everyday acts of living. Eph. 4:11-13 – And He Himself gave some to beapostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ D. This is a suggestive passage for us as we think of serving the Lord in the work of his kingdom. 1. It suggests that massive accomplishments for the sake of Christ can be done by people just like you and me. 2. It suggests that we should be busy about the work of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. 3. Together and individually we have Jerusalem walls to build. a. Perhaps we become paralyzed or discouraged because we think that there is really nothing big for us to do, so we do nothing. b. Notice that no one group of people was assigned the whole wall – each one had a manageable section of the wall. c. God has given each one of us who believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior a manageable piece of the work of the kingdom. a) At your own home in your devotions b) In your familial relationships – in one sense the church has been built on the wings of the prayers of mothers. c) At work as Christ through his spirit fills you and you are the most dedicate employee or employer for the sake of Christ. d) At school as you rejoice in learning what is true and good and right, and purpose to use that knowledge for the glory of God and expansion of his kingdom. e) With your neighbors as you love them for the sake of Christ. f) At church as your heed the call to serve as a teacher, nursery worker, officer, pastor, missionary, church planter. a) As we worship God in the beauty of holiness. b) As we enjoy each other. c) As we serve each other. d) As go out to the world with the message of the Gospel. d. The apostles' response to Jesus's command to disciple the nations wasn't to reach a whole people group at once, but to reach the person next to them. E. The ministry of the kingdom by the Body of Christ is not always smooth sailing and opposition comes from outside of the church (Sanballat and company) and sadly from inside of the church. 1. The nobles of Tekoa are often present as the church endeavors to be instruments in Jesus's hand as he builds his kingdom. "Not everything in the kingdom of God is pretty. Some of the Lord's people can make the worst of friends and the most disloyal companions. Some Christians shine in complaining and standing on the sidelines, offering unhelpful criticism." Derek Thomas in Reformed Expository Commentary: Ezra & Nehemiah 2. Who are you? The nobles of Tekoa or the common people of Tekoa who put their shoulders to the work. a. Is the Church of Jesus Christ as a whole and this particular representation of the church being encouraged and helped by you in the building of God's kingdom? Or, are you standing by on the sideline full of unhelpful criticism and attitude that are creating obstacles for those who are serious about the work of the Lord? b. Derek Thomas suggests a WANTED bulletin announcement that goes somewhat like this: "Volunteers for difficult service in the church. Motivation should be to serve the Lord no matter the cost or difficulty of the task. Volunteers should be filled with a desire to think of others as better than themselves. The work will sometimes prompt a desire to give up, but volunteers must persevere even when there is little recognition for their work. Grumblers and whiners need not apply." 1) It is a good thing that the Gospel is for grumblers and whiners such as myself. 2) Otherwise, the church would be empty. F. The ministry of the kingdom is an every-member ministry. 1 Everyone citizen of the Judean community was involved in building the wall. 2 That's the pattern that we already saw in Eph. 4:11-13. "Unfortunately, many churches have it completely turned around. It is said that today the churches more than anything else resemble a football game played in a large stadium. There are eighty thousand spectators in the stands who badly need some exercise, and there are twenty-two men on the field who badly need a rest." James Boice in Nehemiah: Learning to Lead G. The ministry of the kingdom is distinctively a church ministry. 1. We see that in Nehemiah's answer at the end of chapter 2, 20. 2. We cannot expect the world to build the kingdom of God. 3. We cannot expect the world to behave like the church. 4. The church must be clearly distinct from the world. Nehemiah shows us that, by the grace of God, we can do the work of the ministry. This work starts with yourself. Your walk with the Lord. And with those who are closest to you. But I do want to end today with a call to the public ministry.
I look at the institutions of our church and wonder where the workers are going to come from. In the near future Western Reformed Seminary will need new professors. Presbyterian Missionary Union will soon run out of missionaries. We have an aged pastorate throughout the denomination. Where are the workers going to come? From here! I want to challenge you all. Is God calling you to the ministry? Is God calling you to give up your life and go to the mission field? Is God calling you to dedicate yourself to the formal study of his Word so that you can train others? Is God calling you to go to Eretria and start in orphanage to care for and train a generation of Christians? Is God calling you to go to China, to the border with North Korea to train refugees who are willing to back to North Korea an die for the sake of Christ? I want to challenge specially you younger men. Don't be distracted by this world. Here the Lord's calling. Wouldn't it be a great thing if every few years our congregation would be made up of all new people because the people who were here left to do kingdom ministry somewhere else where it wasn't being done?
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