The Brethren Repairing - Nehemiah 3:18

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, “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. 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. 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. 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”, and in chapter three and verse eighteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “after him repaired their brethren”, where we read,

After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

The verse reads, “After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad,” Nehemiah began with the words, “after him repaired their brethren” or “following him, Hashabiah, strengthened, hardened and made firm their, Rehum and Hashabiah's” kindred, kinship and relative”, “Bavai” whose name means “my goings”“the son of Henadad” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Henadad whose name means favor of Hadad”. Nehemiah said following “Rehum and Hashabiah” their relative “Bavai” rebuilt a section of the wall.

The verse goes on to say, “... the ruler of the half part of Keilah.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “the ruler” or “the prince, leader, chief, chieftain and official” “of the half part of Keilah” which means “pertaining to one half portion belonging to Keilah whose name means fortress and was a city in the lowlands of Judah and northwest of Hebron”. Nehemiah shared how “Bavai” was the ruling official in one half of the portion of “Keilah”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how another “ruler” involved himself in the reconstruction of the barrier wall to Jerusalem. “Bavai”, who was the chieftain of “Keilah”, rebuilt a portion of the protective barrier. God calls people from all walks of life, and although they have been elevated to positions of authority, they are to be involved in His Kingdom work. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead three days later so all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and used in His work in the world to share the gospel to everyone and in every place. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “next to him repaired Ezer”, 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".