Wise Master Build #13 | Work

Introduction 

This chapter might seem mundane, but we find here an excellent portrait of God’s people at work for His glory. A lesson that is immensely practical.

https://youtu.be/l0H61FBXMjc

The Text

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. […]
Nehemiah 3:1ff

Summary of the Text

The resolve which Nehemiah’s courageous faith inspired amongst God’s people was followed by undertaking the work. We find in this chapter the division of the work. Honor is given to the high priest, Eliashib, and he (along with his priestly brethren) is listed as the first battalion of workers (v1). The circuit of the work begins and ends with the Sheep Gate (vv1, 32); as you could probably guess from the name, it was the gate whereby the sacrificial sheep were brought into the temple. They consecrate this portion of the wall, as a sort of firstfruits of their labors, and then the text recounts the rest of the division of workers.

For the most part, each group of workers employed themselves in the section of the wall closest to their own abodes. Which is quite instructive, begin the work of restoration with the closest section of the wall to you, and then work outward from there.

There is a remarkable universality in this project. You have priests (v1), perfumers (v8), daughters (v12), commoners, royal families (v16), Levites (v17), the Nethinims (v26), gate-keepers (v29), goldsmiths and merchants (v31). The residents of Tekoa (hometown of the prophet Amos), about 12 miles south of Jerusalem in the hill country, arrived with enough workers to man two stations of the wall (vv5 & 27). Their noblemen were stiff-necked and, to their shame, wouldn’t assist in the work. A few figures were introduced back in Ezra, Meremoth (v4) was the one who had counted the great treasure which Ezra brought with him when he returned (Ez. 8:33); while Meshullam (v4) was one of those who submitted to Ezra’s purge of idolatrous wives (10:7). Some of the workers were notably earnest in their work (v20), others were able to complete more than one section of the wall (vv4 & 21, 5 & 27).

A Unified Work

This passage gives us a vivid portrait of the glory of working together. But we do not want to simply moralize and opine about how mankind can accomplish so much if we just all work together. The tower of Babel shows us that mankind can be unified in a work of evil. The golden calf incident after the Exodus shows us how much damage can be done through unified work. The violent protests we’ve seen in recent years demonstrate that being unified in a work does not equate to that work being worthwhile or constructive. It takes a lot of work to burn down a city and tip cars over!

So then, we must not simply take away from this passage a moral lesson of unity in hard work. It is true that “many hands, makes light work.” But work is not intrinsically good, it must be asked: work to what end? In this chapter we see God’s people set themselves to a good work of securing their city, and repairing it so as to no longer be a reproach to the nations. Jerusalem was to be a resplendent city (Ps. 50:2). Glorious things were to be said of Jerusalem (Ps. 87:3). Zion was to be the “perfection of beauty” that out of it God’s light of truth and love might shine into the heathen darkness (Ps. 50:2). Into Zion were the nations to bring their prayer and praise to the Living God, and out of Zion would the law word of the LORD go forth (Is. 2:1-5). It was to be the joy of all the earth (Ps. 48:2, Lam. 2:15). At the moment of Nehemiah’s arrival, this was certainly not the case.

The Doctrine of Work

This leads us to more thoroughly consider the doctrine of work. In evangelical circles “works” has come to take on a negative connotation. The Reformation emphasis that we aren’t saved by good works, while a bedrock truth, has led some to think that good work(s) is itself to be handled only with theological HAZMAT suits. As if grace saves us to float down the lazy river of life until we reach the golden shore of heaven. No heavy lifting allowed. However, this is a really deficient theology of salvation. Our salvation is from the dead works of our bondage to sin, that we might be restored to the living works which the Spirit animates us to. To think of salvation only in terms of no longer feeling embarrassed about the bad things we’ve done in the past is to have a painfully narrow view of the great salvation which Christ has brought about.

Here are a few biblical principles of work:

1. You should work hard for six days out of seven. Like the saints of Nehemiah’s day consecrated the first portion of the wall, we consecrate the first day unto the Lord for sabbath rest. That rest ought to be expressed in works of “piety, necessity, and charity” as well as good ol’ fashioned naps in sun puddles. Remember that the Greek word which gives us the word liturgy (leitourgia) literally means the “laity’s work.”  
2. Work is the exertion of power for the purpose of sub-creation and dominion (Col. 3:23). We imitate our Creator by taking disorder and making order, taking darkness and making it light, taking wilderness and making it a garden. Thus, your work really needs to be a taxation of your strength (body, mind, and soul).
3. Work is the duty of all saints, regardless of their station or situation. Schoolchildren, college students, housewives, and breadwinners all are summoned to imitate God in their labors. Three things are noteworthy in this passage. We are to work as one body with many members, or one construction project with multiple stations. The end for which we are laboring is that the city of God might be resplendent, full of praise, ears open to the law-word of our King, and ready to welcome the Gentiles who stream to the light of this city of peace.
4. Work is to be undertaken with earnestness. What do you find in your hand to do? Well do it with all your might (Ecc. 9:10). Whether it be a shovel or a spreadsheet or sheet-music or spelling tests. Passion follows rightly order love. When we love what God loves, our hearts find pleasure in such duties and even mundane chores and honey do lists.
5. Do more than you think you can (1 Cor. 15:10).
6. Be diligent (Pro. 22:29). Don’t be lazy (Pro. 10:4). Idleness should be considered the twisted fiend of Sabbath rest.
7. Remember, it is more than likely that most of your work will to be forgotten in less than a century. There is a creaturely vanity to your work. Nevertheless, such fleeting work done unto the glory of God, founded on the grace you have received through no work of your own, will resound for all eternity.

Repaired

Consider in all this the key word of this chapter: repaired. Jerusalem had become a reproach, but in this eager and united work of God’s people, the city was repaired. It was not entirely restored to its former glory. But it was made firm once more. Though it did not rival the former glory this too was by redemptive design. Earthly Jerusalem was a fading shadow, for a greater glory was intended. The glory of Nehemiah’s reconstruction did not surpass the glory of Solomon’s Jerusalem, but it was obedient faith in his particular moment. That is glorious. Jesus Himself would topple the walls of Jerusalem through His sword of judgment, mediated via Roman legions. Was it all a waste? Not a bit.

Redemptive history ebbs and flows. There are heights of Gospel glory and valleys of spiritual apathy. But as the hymn says, we’re gaining ground. For there is a glory yet to be fully revealed. Christ’s coming inaugurated the bridal preparations for heavenly Jerusalem, and one day she shall descend from heavens with a beauty and glory that will be unrivaled. All your works to restore the church, to reform her, to build the Kingdom are Spirit-born efforts to bring the church at last as a spotless bride prepared for her husband. That includes singing Psalms to lull a baby to sleep, changing the oil for the widow, shouting thunderous “Amens” here in the assembly of the saints. It includes all your works great and small, offered up as a loving service to the God who made you and remade you in Christ, the Lord and King of this heavenly city we are preparing for. So then, work your little section of wall, with zealous faith, knowing that that work is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

Charge and Benediction

The Gospel is that God takes dead people, and through Christ makes us real people again. Thus, do not despise the work that lies before you this week. Figure out how to do more and more of it. Take joy in it. Take joy in the futility of it. And remember that your labors, at your section of the wall, are received by God as He builds up this heavenly city.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17