Nehemiah Menu

Memory verses for this week: Job 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Job 38:37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

Introduction: In last week's lesson, we saw Nehemiah making his request to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls to King Artaxerxes after he had prayed and made supplication to the Lord for a long period of time. Because he waited on the Lord, the king not only agreed to send him back, but sent men with him and letters of passage to all the countries he had to travel through on his journey. The chapter closed with Nehemiah being opposed by his adversaries, but this did not deter Nehemiah from getting the job done.

I. The Wall is Sanctified by the High Priest

The wall of the ancient city of Jerusalem is described in considerable detail. (The details will be presented in counterclockwise order.) The sheep gate mentioned in verse 1 was at the northeast corner of the city, near the Temple. The sheep gate; so called, because the sheep were led through it to the temple. Near it was the sheep market, where they were sold, and the sheep pool, where the sacrifices were washed. Eliashib was the grandson of Jeshua or Joshua the high priest, his father’s name was Joiakim, (Nehemiah 12:10),

Neh 12:10 And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,

Being high priest, and rising first, he set a good example both to the priests and to the people, and served no doubt greatly to animate and encourage them. Being for sacred use, and they sacred persons; and this the first part of the building, they prayed for a blessing on it, and in it on the whole work undertaken, of which this was the firstfruits: and set up the doors of it; and so finished it:

The tower of Hananeel was in the center of the northern wall of the city. The tower of Meah, or a “hundred”, as the word signifies, might be so called, either because it was one hundred cubits from the sheep gate on one side, and as many from the tower of Hananeel on the other side, standing between both; or because it was one hundred cubits high: these two towers. Perhaps these towers were firm and strong, and needed no repair, since no mention is made of any.

This area was the most vulnerable to military attack and therefore it is possible that these towers were built as defensive strong holds. The fish gate was just to the west of the tower of Hananeel. This is where fish from Galilee and Joppa were brought into the city.

In verses 4-5, the sections of the northern wall are mentioned.

The old gate (verse 6) was at the northwest corner of the old city of Jerusalem. There, the wall turned southward. The western wall was also known as the broad wall as mentioned in verse 8.

In verse 11, it speaks of the tower of the furnaces (i.e., ovens) was further to the south and east.

J. Vernon McGee made a great point about the 'old gate.'

I asked a friend the first time we visited the city of Jerusalem and saw the gates, “Which one is the old gate? They all look old to me.” The old gate is one that has been there from the very beginning. Jeremiah 6:16 tells us the message this gate has for us: “Thus saith the Lord. Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls….”

We are living in a day where people are interested in the thing that is new. They must have the latest model automobile, the latest fashion, and the latest thing for the house. One day a man whose fetish was to have the latest style in clothes said to me, “I notice that you are wearing a narrow lapel, and today it is the style to wear a wide lapel.” The lapel on a coat does not make any difference to me, but it does make a great deal of difference to many people. We are living in a day when things are changing radically and rapidly. The conditions under which our grandfathers proposed to our grandmothers were vastly different from those under which young folk in this present day deal with the matter of marriage. Morality is changing. People talk about “new morality,” but it was old even in the time of Noah.

It is this constant search for something new that is leading us to frustration. It is the thing that has taken many folk down the garden path to a dead end street with no purpose in life whatsoever. Jeremiah says that we need to ask for the “old paths,” because there we will find rest for our souls. Instead of running to psychiatrists and trying this and that new method, what we really need to do is come to the One who says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”

The valley gate mentioned in verse 13 opened to the Tyropoeon valley. The dung gate (verse 14) was the southern extremity of the city and opened to the valley of Hinnom to the west. The gate of the fountain (verse 15) was where the pool of Siloam was at the southern end of the city and now on the east wall as it ascended toward the Ophel. The wall then ascended to the City of David (verse 16). There was the royal cemetery of the kings of Judah (verse 16).

This Nehemiah is not the governor but another individual from “Beth Zur” (cf. Josh. 15:58), which lies between Jerusalem and Hebron. Many identify this “pool” as a man-made reservoir constructed by Hezekiah to assure the city a water supply when under siege (2 Chr. 32:30; Is. 22:9–11). The “House of the Mighty” may refer to military quarter.

Isa 22:9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

Isa 22:10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.

Isa 22:11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

You know that Nehemiah and these that worked had to grow weary, but they did not stop the work but kept on no matter the problems they encountered. Paul had so many reasons in his ministry to cause him to want to quit. But he never did. I think that perseverance, determination, and the knowledge to look to the Lord for strength is the key to being one that won't quit in the work of the Lord.

What an example Paul gave us to never quit. He said if he would glory, he would glory in his infirmities. Paul knew it was God that kept him going, and I think that is what drove Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the wall there at Jerusalem.

At the Ophel (fortifications between the lower and upper city) was an armory (verse 19). Along the eastern wall were several bends and turns as noted in verse 17-25.

The water gate was from the original source of the Kidron brook was as noted in verse 26. Fortress towers were erected in this area for protection (verses 25-27).

These all were in the vicinity of the Ophel.

They had to prepare in case of battle from the adversaries. We need to be prepared in our daily lives as Christians for the attacks that are sure to come from Satan. The best way we can do this is to know God's Word and be studying it each day.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

In verse 28, the horse gate was found farther north along the eastern wall, just below the Temple. The east gate mentioned in verse 29 was the major eastern entrance to the city and in front of the Temple entrance.

Verse 32 speaks of the gate of Miphkad was near the northeastern corner of the city. The sheep gate completed the circumference as noted in verse 1. Thus, the circumference of the city wall was described and those who rebuilt each section thereof.

Conclusion: The work was divided, so that every one might know what he had to do, and mind it, with a desire to excel; yet without contention, or separate interests.

When a general good work is to be done, each should apply himself to that part which is within his reach. If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall all be mended. Some that had first done helped their fellows.

Matthew Henry in his commentary said this about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

The walls of Jerusalem, in heaps of rubbish, represent the desperate state of the world around, while the number and malice of those who hindered the building, give some faint idea of the enemies we have to contend with, while executing the work of God.

Every one must begin at home; for it is by getting the work of God advanced in our own souls that we shall best contribute to the good of the church of Christ.

May the Lord stir up the hearts of his people, to lay aside their petty disputes, and to disregard their worldly interests, compared with building the walls of Jerusalem, and defending the cause of truth and godliness against the assaults of avowed enemies.

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