In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah went back to the city of Jerusalem and began to rebuild the wall. Among many people he employed was, “Pedaiah the son of Parosh. Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lies out. After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lies out, even unto the wall of Ophel. From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house. 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. 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. 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”, and in chapter three and verse thirty-two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants”, where we read,
And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
The verse reads, “And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and between the going up” or “and among or in the midst of the ascending or rising” “of the corner” which means “pertaining to the bulwark or chief angle” “unto the sheep gate” or “up until the entry, portal and opening named after the small cattle known as sheep” the following men worked. Nehemiah shared how the following men worked on the wall of Jerusalem in the middle of the rising of the chief angle and the “sheep” portal.
The verse continues, “... repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.” Nehemiah added the word, “repaired” or “strengthened, hardened and made firm” “the goldsmiths” which means “the refiners of gold metal” “and the merchants”or “and the traffickers or traders”. Nehemiah said the refiners of gold metal and the traders worked on the barrier wall in the middle of the chief angle and the “sheep” portal.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah about another group of men who rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem after being commissioned to do so by him. The “goldsmiths” and the traders worked on the wall in the middle of the “chief angle” or “corner” till they reached the portal named after “sheep”. Every one of these sections were important to the people of Jerusalem, and to God Himself. As they worked around the wall rebuilding the destruction of it, the entire wall was coming together. This would not be done without opposition as we shall see in our next chapter, but it is a good reminder that all people who receive Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was resurrected three days later as their personal “Savior and Lord” not only will be forgiven of their sins and inherit eternal life, but they also shall have a work to do in God's Kingdom that is not always without someone opposing them. Let us carefully consider all the work that was being done on this wall, receive Jesus and fulfill our assignments regardless of who rises up in opposition against us.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Nehemiah share what happens, “when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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