Day 237 – Nehemiah #2

Don’t worry about the specifics of every name and gate in chapter 3.

• In our readings today and tomorrow we’ll read about events that occurred as the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Unsurprisingly, things weren’t always easy, and like the temple, there was plenty of opposition.
• You might have skim read Nehemiah 3 a little, reading about each man and the bit of the wall that he built. That’s OK – to a point. The details are there for a reason though. Think about why we read these details. What does it say about the willingness of people to work? What about the scale of the job? What about the organisational abilities of those who oversaw the work, like Nehemiah? Can you think of anything else you can understand from thinking about this chapter as a whole?
• What do you think some of the people chatted about as they worked next to each other?
• Nehemiah mentioned that people did what they did as part of their service to God. What would God be able to write about you about your service to Him? What things are you doing, and where, to build up God’s kingdom?
• Moving into Nehemiah 4, we see there was opposition. Sanballat and Tobiah were “greatly enraged” at the work. Sanballat was governor of Samaria, and whilst we don’t know what Tobiah did, we know he was an Ammonite, an historic enemies of the Israelites. How did they act in Nehemiah 4:1-3?
• The mocking stepped up a level to potential violence in Nehemiah 4:8 onwards. How did Nehemiah react? What were the spirits like of the workers in verses 10 and 11?
• As work resumed, in Nehemiah 4:15 onwards, how were the people described? What were they prepared for?

You might not know but since Chris arrived, the Eureka motto has been “sword and trowel”. This is taken from Nehemiah 4:17, which we read today. We aim to use Eureka to “equip you with the tools for you to use to protect yourself from the enemy and to serve God”. Do you feel equipped? Are there ways we could equip you better?

The passage in Proverbs likens a city with no walls to a man with no self control. Building up your walls, and making sure they stay repaired, is an important part of preparing yourself for being godly men and women. Equip yourself – and let us help you – to stand firm with Christ.

I thought I’d post a video today, just for fun, with catchy song as we’re nearing the end of the Old Testament. It’s ace. Watch it (and ignore the odd starting bit about carrots).