Nehemiah 3:1 "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."
Nehemiah 3:32 "And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants."
Today's verses may seem a bit strange at first as we begin to look at them. Why
would I go from verse 1 to verse 32 and not include the verses between? Chapter
3 is one of the chapters that might be tempting to skip and go right to chapter
4. The entire chapter is nothing but names. You know, those names that
are difficult to pronounce. Those names that God placed there for a reason, but
we don't know that reason.
There are three reasons that I include them in our study of Nehemiah. The first
reason is simply because God inspired Nehemiah to list the names. The second
reason is due to the beginning and ending position of those building the
wall. As you begin in verse one, the first ones listed are beginning
their work at the sheep gate. The last verse tells us they worked "unto
the sheep gate." In between those verses are listed the ones who were
positioned all around the wall. The entire wall was being rebuilt at the same
time as men worked side by side. It started at one point and as they would look
up all around the wall, they would see people working diligently to get the
wall built in a record amount of time.
The third reason that we include chapter 3 has to do with the meanings of the
names. In Biblical days, names had a very specific meaning. Time nor space
permits me to go through every name that is listed, but I do want to look at a
few to try to give you the picture of what I'm saying. For instance, the name
"Eliashib" in verse 1 means, "God will restore." In
verse 2, the name "Zaccur" means, "to remember, or to be
remembered." In verse 3, the name "Hassenaah" means "to
prick" as in having their hearts pricked. I will give one more to
try to show the importance. In verse 4, the name "Meremoth"
means "to be lifted high."
Now
let's put these four names together and see what the people would think as they
looked at individuals who were working. They would look at Eliashib and praise
God for restoring the city. While looking at Zaccur, they would remember what
caused them to be taken into captivity and also the grace of God that brought
them back. They would look at Hassenaah and their hearts would be pricked to
the point that in remembering, they would make the commitment to stay true to
God. They would look at Meremoth and remember God is faithful and true to His
Word. He lifts us up when we are feeling low.
What
I'm trying to say is that as they would look at individuals, they would be
encouraged to continue the work. Each one would encourage the other. Do
you have anyone in your life given to you by God that even the thought of their
name is a source of encouragement as you interact with them? God is good, isn't
He?