3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
The responsibility of building the sheep gate was given to the high priest and his brothers the priest. Taking care of those who need us is the greatest assignment given to anyone. Jesus is our high priest. Jesus said he will be the first to build protection around us, his sheep. He made sure the gate was clean. He set up the doors of it. Jesus made sure that nothing enters the pasture of the sheep if it was not authorized by him. No danger of any kind has permission to harm his sheep. Jesus set up towers that gave even more protection. Just as the towers of our cell phones give signals, so is the tower of the Word a God a protective force to let us know what being transferred.
2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
The men worked together side by side. This is how closely God wants us to work. There should not be any gaps in relationships since we are all working on one common goal. There is no room for hatred, segregation, or religion. To work next to Jesus is an opportunity of a lifetime. Jericho was a place that Joshua tore down at the beginning of entering the promised land. Now here we see the men of Jericho are building protection around the temple of God. This is a change in rare form. Next to a famous name like Jerico, we have an unknown person who was just as close to Jesus as the well-known. In Christ, all people can find work to do.
3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
When I think of the fish gate, I think of the food court. Men need a place that protects what they will eat. There were special reinforcements put in place to protect the fish (food). Beams, doors, locks, and bars. The food which is the Word of God must be protected. God does not want the enemy to tamper with nothing His people will eat in His name. When we read the word we must not alter God's ingredients. We must prepare all of what we eat exactly the way God specified each course.
4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
When the Word of God is protected men work together. Here we have men who are busy working. Whatever they were given to do, they were on task. Working anywhere near God's word is a privilege, and these men were willing to do so. It does specify what they were doing, but it is recorded they were working.
5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
The Tekoites worked even when the nobles or known leaders did not. God has those who follow doing what he said even if the leaders refuse to. The Tekoites were our example, they teach us to work because it is right to do so even if others who should work do not. The conduct of these people will be used to judge us when Jesus comes as judge.
6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
There were old gates that needed repairing. All of the gates were not destroyed. Some of the gates were old and were in need of repair. God looks at what we need and because we are of age, it does not mean we do not need corrections. The older gates need beams, doors, locks, and bars. Sometimes older people respond as if they do not need guidelines because of the longevity of living. All living need instructions. God wants to provide for the older with added protection for what enters and what leaves. He has put support in place because older people tend to roam around without accountability and little correction. There is value in man even to the grave.
7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
God has people working as far as to the government. We should work until those who lead the world see that we are close to them and they have evidence that we are hard workers. The names of the men who worked are not well known to us. But, still, they helped to carry out the will of God.
8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
God wants the thing we desire to be safe. The things made of gold had to be protected and the medicines or perfumes were protected.
9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
This ruler found his part in the work of building the wall to protect God's people. There were some leaders who actually showed that they could be called upon to do their part.
10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hananiah.
The names of these men are well-known. They did not carry a title to show that they helped build the wall.
11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
God uses the unknown to carry out his will more than we tend to recognize.
12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
God makes room for the women of Judah to be protected as they assist their father in his role as leader.
13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
When we think of a valley, we think of a lower part of an area. God wants every high or low place in our lives to be protected. The valley gate was next to the dung gate.
14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
The ruler built the area where many would not want to protect. A dung gate is a place where the waste of the people was placed. When people learn that God wants people to obey doing what may be unpopular but needed.
15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
The fountain was protected. This gate was near the king's garden. Perhaps it was the beautiful part of Jerusalem. It was also near the stairs that were connected to the beauty of what was known as David's.
16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
The graveyard was protected.
17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
The Levite's portion of the temple was repaired.
18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
An unknown ruler repaired his portion.
19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
Another ruler who is unknown repaired the gate that held the weapons.
20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
The high priest repaired the sheep gate. God took care of his house by others. When we do for others, God will have others to do for us.
21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
The high priest took care of the sheep gate, now his house is being taken care of.
22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
Then the priest repaired the people who lived in the plain. This is where ordinary people were protected.
23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
There were people who helped others and there are people who helped their own house in making sure they had protection.
24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
Still, the building is being repaired even to the corner.
25 Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
The connection yet continues. From the corner of the house and the tower near the king's house that was near the prison, all were being repaired.
26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
The repair was being made near the Watergate and the tower that looked out for enemies was extended outwardly.
27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
Connecting to where the tower stood out, God shows that attention was given to every portion of the repaired wall.
28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
Gates that protected the horses and those who lived above the stable were protected.
29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
God wants us to share in helping others, but, he wants us to make sure things are repaired in our personal lives.
30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
God knows each person who participated and exactly what they contributed in building under the leadership of Nehemiah.
31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
The shopping areas were protected.
32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
The full house was covered and secured, nothing was left out.
My Minute Song
A Full House Covered
God designed us to be fully covered
Every inch of who we are belongs to him
Every part of me is protected
I am his jewel and I am his gem
Ohhh nothing can ever get to us
There’s no lie that can ever be told
Not even death can separate us
We’re his sheep and protected in his fold
I am fully connected
I am fully protected
I am secure in Christ my Lord.
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