There’s a refrain that’s repeated throughout Nehemiah 3. It’s the phrase, next to him… We see this for example in verse 17.
Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. [Next to him], Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites… Next to him Ezer son of Jeshua…repaired another section… (vv. 17-19)
This phrase next to him is used 21 times in this chapter. I imagine God’s people working shoulder to shoulder on the wall. And for them, the wall isn’t just about their physical safety or honour. Rebuilding the wall is a sign that God is restoring the nation.
- God’s people would worship again in the temple.
- God’s people would gather again in community.
- God’s people would go into the world to fulfill their mission.
This purpose was what united the people. So if you asked the people on the north wall, What are you doing? They would say, We’re rebuilding the wall so that God can restore the nation. Then if you walk over to the west wall and ask the people there, What are you doing? They would say, We’re rebuilding the wall so that God can restore the nation. And then if you walk over to the south and east walls and ask the people there, they would say the same thing.
Where did the people get the idea that they have a mission from God?
They got it from God.
