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”, and in chapter three and verse thirty-one of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “after him repaired Malchiah”, where we read,
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 verse reads, “After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “after him” or “following him, Meshullam” “repaired Malchiah” which means “strengthened, hardened and made firm Malchiah whose name means my king is Jehovah” “the goldsmith's son” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to the refiner of gold metal” “unto the place” which means “to the location” “of the Nethinims” or “belonging to the Nethinims who were temple slaves assigned to the Levites and priests for service in the sanctuary”. Nehemiah shared how “Malchiah” who was the male offspring of the refiner of gold metal worked on the barrier wall to Jerusalem till he reached the location of the “Nethinims” or servants of the Levites and priests.
The verse goes on to say, “... and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and of the merchants” or “and belonging to the traffickers or traders ”, “over against the gate Miphkad” which means “across from the entry, portal and opening Miphkad whose name means command or appointed place”, “and to the going up of the corner” or “and toward the rising or ascending pertaining to the bulwark or chief angle”. Nehemiah shared how “Malchiah” also belonged to the traders and worked on the wall unto the place it ascended toward the chief angle or “corner”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how “Malchiah” also worked on the barrier wall of Jerusalem. He was the male offspring of the “goldsmith” and traders, and he rebuilt the section of the wall that was toward the “Nethinims” and onward toward the ascending place of the chief angle. Each of these workers had their assigned sections, and we do not read of them impeding on the sections of their peers. They paid attention to their own business, and seemed to be the better for it. God wants us to be involved in His Kingdom work, and our first step is to receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead three days later as our personal “Savior and Lord”. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us an area in which to work in His Kingdom, and as we apply ourselves to our area, not only we, but also the entire Kingdom of God will be blessed.
Next time Nehemiah says, “unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants”, 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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