DAY 8 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

DAY 8 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word

Nehemiah 3:1-2

1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

Nehemiah 3:28-32

28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.

DAY 8 – FINDING UNITY IN COMMUNITY

In the following verses we find the many people that are involved in rebuilding the wall. As you are reading these verses, be watching for whom these people are…not so much their names. Make a list of your findings.

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up its doors; even to the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananel. 2 Next to him built the men of Jericho. Next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.

28 Above the horse gate, the priests made repairs, everyone across from his own house. 29 After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs across from his own house. After him, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate made repairs. 30 After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs across from his room. 31 After him, Malchijah one of the goldsmiths to the house of the Nethinim, and of the merchants, made repairs over against the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner. 32 Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.

3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up its doors; even to the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananel.

8 Next to him, Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah one of the perfumers made repairs, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the wide wall.

12 Next to him, Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters, made repairs.

17 After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.

27 After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel.

32 Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.

As you look at your list, you find priests, daughters, perfume makers, goldsmiths… When you look at a construction project, you do not expect to find these people in the mix. What was Nehemiah doing? “Building unity in community!”

Think of a Work and Witness project…or a Teen Mission project…or even the body of believers at your local church. As we work together, young and old, skilled and unskilled, we complete a project. During the process of the project, amazing things happen. A group of people get to know each other in a new way…assist each other…teach each other…tease each other…laugh together…cry together… The team that was there at the beginning of the project is not the same team at the end. They may still have the same faces, but something has happened between them. “Unity in community!”

LIFE APPLICATION: How can you apply this concept “finding unity in community?” Within your Sunday school class…local body of believers…youth group…preteen group…

Father, Open my eyes so I can see your plan! Amen

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