Nehemiah- Rebuilding and RenewalSample

Beginning at the Sheep Gate, and circumnavigating the city of Jerusalem, here is the account of the many joining a single task. No less than forty-four names, plus the families they represented, are listed as coming together to each rebuild different sections of the one city wall. The words ‘next’ and ‘next to them’ are repeated often, giving the unmistakeable sense that this project has momentum and shared responsibility with the whole community.

There are no lone rangers here. Through Nehemiah, God has successfully transferred a burden into vision, and vision into a mission that everybody shares.

Interestingly, in some places we find priests and locals preparing the wall in front of their own houses (v28). In other areas repairers were working with the ‘help of their daughters’ (v12) and sons (v3). There are local inhabitants as well as those who live in other places. Priests, Levites, guards and families all contributing to the work.

At the close of the chapter the narrative returns to the Sheep Gate- every part of Jerusalem’s wall and gates having been described with the building well underway.

Interestingly, the central figure of the story- Nehemiah- is not mentioned at all in this chapter. It’s almost as if the author is highlighting the communal, shared mission that the people were undertaking.

Ministry and mission are not solo enterprises. Leadership might articulate vision, but the mission- how a vision gets worked out- must be owned by the people in order to go forward.

There is a contrast in the narrative however, between the Tekoites (a town 10 miles south) and their nobles who ‘would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors’ (v5). It would seem that many from the small community of Tekoa were committed to rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, but their leaders were not. Was it a matter of pride? Or lack of commitment? Did they not like to be told what to do by the supervisors- the ones who were organising this project?

Reflect:

Think about shared challenges you’ve been involved in before. What helps you commit to a shared mission with others, and when are you likely to resist?

What is the role of clear communication and decision-making in this process?

Do you naturally trust leadership or do you begin from a posture of suspicion?

Are you known as a team player, a lone ranger or something else? How would those closest to you describe your approach?