As you read through stories in the Bible do you find yourself ignoring the chapters with long lists of names? It can be daunting to sift through all of the people listed that you can barely pronounce. In Ezra chapter 3 we have this exact issue of many names but I encourage you to take time to read through these names looking for details about the wall being rebuilt in Jerusalem. I’ll be honest that I was tempted to generalize the people that were rebuilding the wall but there is much more to be gleaned from the texts than the assumption that the wall was just rebuilt. What were these men thinking as they completed the work?
To start the picture of these people who were rebuilding the wall you need to know that this remnant of Israel was facing persecution from the inhabitants surrounding Jerusalem. In Nehemiah chapter 4 we find that Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites were all angry because the Israelites were seeking to rebuild the wall. Insults and ridicule were hurled at the people working to rebuild the wall. How would you feel if you, having escaped captivity, returned home to a razed city and persecution looming for anyone who sought to improve the welfare of the Israelites? This would have left a prevailing sense of fear within the workers as they were exposed working on rebuilding the wall.
Nehemiah chapter 3 gives the account of the people who worked on the rebuilding the wall and the actual spots they rebuilt. There are many people listed who took up the responsibility of rebuilding the wall. Many people looked at the wall across from their home as the point where they started to rebuild. A group of men that I found inspiring were Mermoth, Hananiah, Hanun, Meshullam, Malchijah, the Tekoites and the priests because these people all repaired multiple sections of the wall. What motivated these people to take up greater responsibility? The fact these men took up more work after they finished a segment presents the picture that the rebuilding of the wall was ongoing in some areas while others waited for work to be accomplished. Did the people within Jerusalem feel any security inside the city?
As work progressed on the wall of Jerusalem the persecution from Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites did not cease. In fact these people who sought the ruin of the Israelites were plotting to attack and kill them. Did this fear of attack cause the workers along the wall to become befuddled? Nehemiah acknowledge the fear of the people and reminded them that it was God who truly fought the battles. “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 This call by Nehemiah was for leaders to rise up and defend the people of Jerusalem while it was weak and in danger as they clung to God for their deliverance. There would be no hope for Jerusalem if leaders would not rise up and defend the city from attack.
Work rebuilding the wall continued despite the threat of attack but everyone was not waiting for an attack to take up arms. There was an urgency for the people to come together as one and defend themselves. “At whatever place you heart the sound of the trumpet, rally to use there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:20 The people were holding fast to God as they took up the defense of Jerusalem.
How does this story of a wall being rebuilt thousands of years ago apply to us today? Why should I care about these men who toiled to defend a ruined city? Is there a lesson found in the story of the wall being rebuilt for leaders today? We need leaders to rise up within the church today who are willing to acknowledge the threats that face the church and stand ready to defend her. These shepherds need to strengthen what is already within the church and continually seek to challenge everyone to remain steadfast in their faith. People need to be ready to enter battle armed with the truth. We may not need to take up a physical sword to defend our homes but there is a spiritual battle that requires us to take up the Word of God to be prepared. What would happen if men today neglected their role of defender and leader of the church? Do men truly take up the burden of leadership today? What if men rose up to defend the church and home?
