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In my mind, there are two critical applications of this chapter. Back in Nehemiah 1, I stated that the rubble of the temple mirrored the people’s spiritual condition. So, the first application is that the temple’s rebuilding represented the reconstruction of their spiritual lives. They dedicated their work to the Lord. The reconstruction was a cooperation between the will of man and the will of God. It did not come automatically or easily.
The people worked, but they did so under the strength provided by God. They gathered tools and supplies but those resources were ultimately provided by God. Interestingly, God also took notice of those who did not cooperate with Him.
Beside them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help their supervisors.
Nehemiah 3:5 HCSB
Hold that thought.
The second application is that we can see a trickle effect. Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set the tone at the beginning of this chapter by rebuilding the Sheep Gate. This would have been an area north of the temple that housed the sheep to be brought in for sacrifice. From there, the men of Jericho and Zaccur son of Imri joined the renovation efforts. The rest of the chapter details more than 50 other names of people who decided to pitch in and join the rebuilding effort.
But, remember, there were also some who didn’t lift a finger. Is this not just like ministry today? The truth is, there are many today who simply do not want to left a finger. Even in a healthy environment where the Spirit of the Lord is so thick and people are utilizing their talents for the Kingdom, there will always be those who refuse to “bend their backs.”
This is so relevant today! Nehemiah, in grace, does not list the names of these people. However, they live in infamy as the only people mentioned who did not participate in service to the Lord. Maybe they thought Nehemiah was doing it wrong, or maybe since they were nobles they thought they were above such menial tasks?
“It is interesting to note that the nobles were right next to the fish gate, which speaks of witnessing. These men were not witnesses for God at all. I don’t know about you, but I would not want to be in that group. I would hate to have it reported in the eternal Word of God that I did not do what He called me to do. In our day I am afraid that there are many people in the church who are not doing what God has called them to do. I am talking about saved people, not the unsaved. These Christians are not doing anything.”
J. Vernon McGee