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, “Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lies out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him 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”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-nine of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “after them repaired Zadok””, where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house.” Nehemiah began with the words, “after them” or “following the priests” “repaired Zadok” which means “strengthened, hardened and made firm Zadok whose name means righteous” “the son of Immer” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Immer whose name means he has said” “over against his house” which means “across from his, Zadok's, habitation, abode and dwelling place”. Nehemiah shared how “Zadok” strengthened the barrier wall that was across from his home.
The verse continues, “After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.” Nehemiah added the words, “after him” or “following Zadok” “repaired also Shemaiah” which means “strengthened, hardened and made firm even so and indeed Shemaiah whose name means heard by Jehovah” “the son of Shechaniah” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Shechaniah whose name means dweller with Jehovah”, “the keeper” which means “the one in charge, guard and watcher” “of the east gate” or “belonging to the portal, opening and entrance that was in the Eastward direction”. Nehemiah shared how the guard over the “Eastern gate” was “Shemaiah”, and he reconstructed the portion of the wall in that area.
When we think through Nehemiah's words in this verse, we discover how “Zadok” and “Shemaiah” were also involved in rebuilding the wall surrounding Jerusalem. “Zadok” worked on the area across from his home, and “Shemaiah”reconstructed the section at the “Eastern gate”. Every part of the wall was important, and as each of these men worked on their sections, the entire wall was coming together. God wants everyone to be involved in His Kingdom, and He offers salvation from sin that separates us from a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected three days later. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a passion, drive and wisdom to carry out the work He has designated for us in this world.
Next time Nehemiah says, “after him repaired Hananiah”, 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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