REPAIRING THE WALL

Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on November 15, 2023 under AM Bible Study |

AM Bible Study Group: November 15, 2023 from Nehemiah 3:1-32

Theme: Various believers—from various backgrounds and talents—can work together to repair their ‘wall of distinction’ as God’s people.

(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).

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Robert Frost wrote, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall …” But when we come to the story in the book of Nehemiah, we’re not left to wonder what that “something” was. After Nehemiah led the leaders of the people of Jerusalem to the resolve to rebuild the broken city wall, the enemies of God’s people expressed their objection. In Nehemiah 2:19-20, we were told;

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:19-20).

The taunts of these Syrian, Ammorite, and Arabian enemies of Israel only helped to motivate God’s servants to rise up and build. But these hostile threats—which only grew as the work progressed—made it necessary that everyone put a shoulder of ‘resolve’ to the work.

In Chapter 3 of Nehemiah, we see how the actual work was divided into portions of the wall according to its ‘gates’. They were the parts of the wall that ‘allowed certain things in’ and ‘keep certain things out’. In reading this chapter, we can see how the manpower was wisely distributed along these gates. And though a few refused to work, most were willing to step out of their usual line of employment—and even to step out of both their ‘comfort zones’ and ‘safety zones’—in order to repair the wall, rebuild the gates, and restore God’s honor to the city once again.

Now; the exact locations that Nehemiah describes in this chapter—and the elements around and within the city wall—cannot be established with certainty today. But we can have a general idea. Nehemiah’s description of the work begins at the northernmost portion, and progresses southward along the west side of the wall to the southernmost point; then northward along the Kidron Valley and up along the east side to the northernmost part again. (See the map at the end of these notes).

As we work our way through this passage, pay attention to the different classes of people who were willing to do labor in this great work of restoring God’s honor to Jerusalem. It teaches us an important and practical lesson as followers of Jesus in His kingdom work; that various believers—from various backgrounds and talents—can work together to repair their ‘wall of distinction’ as God’s people.

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As we read through this chapter, we find how the various repairs are identified with ten key points along the wall …

1. THE SHEEP GATE (vv. 1-2).

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built (vv. 1-2).

We’re told that the high priest rose up and began the work. The Sheep Gate would have been important to the work of the priesthood, since it was related to the daily sacrifices. Ultimately, it points our attention to the cross. This gate was—in fact—not far away from the very place where our Lord, the Lamb of God, was eventually crucified. Notice here that Eliashib the high priest put himself to work—along with his brethren the priests. They took on a portion that was dangerous; because the Tower of the Hundred on the north side would have been where threats from the northern regions would have been likely to have come. They not only built, but they also ‘consecrated’ (that is, set aside for God) the tower. And even the men of Jericho—the city that had been cursed in former times—helped with the work. What a gracious God our God is! How important that, first of all, we build up the ‘spiritual wall’ that protects our message of God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ … but then have a door that welcomes sinners who desire to draw near and receive that grace!

2. THE FISH GATE (vv. 3-5).

Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs. Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord (vv. 3-5).

Nehemiah was careful to record the names of those who labored. And each served faithfully ‘next’ to each other. All who serve in God’s work are noticed by Him—and are remembered by name. These men labored around the Fish Gate—that is, on the side of the city closest to Tyre and other seacoast cities, where the merchants often brought in their catch. This gate would have been an important one to defend, because it was—in part—where nourishment was brought in for the people. As God’s distinct people in this world, we need to always be careful of what we let in to nourish our souls. Note that the people of Tekoa also helped. (Do you remember the ‘wise woman of Tekoa’ in 2 Samuel 14?—the one that Joab hired to persuade King David to be restored to his son Absalom?) But contrary to wisdom, the nobles of Tekoa “did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord”. How sad that there are many even today who feel themselves too important to take part in the work of keeping distinct from this world!

3. THE OLD GATE (vv. 6-12).

Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars. And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor of the region beyond the River. Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs. Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens. And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs (vv. 6-12).

I like the name of this gate; don’t you? The Old Gate! Why it was called by that name isn’t clear. (Probably because it was old!) However it got that name, it reminds us that, in building up a distinction from this world, we need to remember the ‘old paths’. In Jeremiah 6:16, the Lord says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.” It’s interesting to note that the Old Gate is by the strong “broad wall”. How important it is that we meet the new situations of life with the fortification that comes from walking faithfully on the ‘old paths’. Note also in this passage that no one felt themselves to be above the work because of their regular vocations. Here we see that even the artists and craftsman—the goldsmiths and perfumers—took on their part of the work. Nor did anyone consider themselves too delicate for the task. Civic leaders did their part—and even Hallohesh, leader of half the district of the city, did the work along with his daughters! What a picture! God sometimes puts the young generation to work in repairing the Old Gate.

4. THE VALLEY GATE (v. 13).

Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate (v. 13).

This was a portion of the wall that was in particularly bad shape. Nehemiah 2:13-15 tells us that this was the portion that Nehemiah first investigated … and that it was broken down and burned with fire. Apparently, it was the portion that most showed the damage of the attack of the enemies of God’s people. It serves as a reminder that we need to fortify ourselves in our contact with the world; and make sure that, as we interact with the people of this world for the cause of the gospel, our distinction from the world is always kept strong. Many have fallen because of not doing so. “And do not be conformed to this world,” the apostle Paul urged us, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Note that those who worked on this portion of the wall did their part thoroughly—even as far as the Refuse Gate. It would have been a tough job; but these men did their work of establishing ‘a clear distinction’ between God’s people and this world.

5. THE REFUSE GATE (v. 14).

Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars (v. 14).

This would have been the portion of the wall that ran along the Valley of Hinnom; and it was sometimes called ‘the Dung Gate’. It would have been where the burning garbage heaps used to continually be burnt. And it was even a place where human sacrifices had been offered during the times of Israel’s apostasy and disobedience (Jeremiah 35:32). It would have been a place that would have reminded the workers—and all the people—why the wall had needed to be repaired in the first place; because it was because of those kinds of idolatrous acts that the people were led to the captivity in Babylon. It came to be identified by the name ‘Gehenna’—and was symbolic of the place of God’s ultimate judgment. This would have been a humbling place to have to build—because it would have reminded the people of the dangers of sin. But it would have been a good place to build a wall! It would have reminded the people not to go down sinful paths again into the judgment of God. We should be thankful for people who do the hard things in God’s work, and who are willing to defend God’s people from the sinful refuse of this world.

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE (vv. 15-25).

Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David. After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as the place in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty. After him the Levites, under Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district. After him their brethren, under Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the other half of the district of Keilah, made repairs. And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the leader of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the buttress. After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. After him Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. And after him the priests, the men of the plain, made repairs. After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs by his house. After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress, even as far as the corner. Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs (vv. 15-25).

What a contrast to the Refuse Gate! This would have been the gate that it would have been a great honor to help repair; because it was the one associated with the tomb of King David. Clearly, a lot of workers were involved in this part of the wall. Note that it was also associated with the past military strength of Judah—with its armory and buttresses and strong towers and courts. Many names are associated with the work at the Fountain Gate; and we can’t help but think of it in association with King David’s glorious Son—Jesus—who was the one who declared “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

7. THE WATER GATE (vv. 26-27).

Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower. After them the Tekoites repaired another section, next to the great projecting tower, and as far as the wall of Ophel (vv. 26-27).

The Nethinim were temple servants who assisted the priests in their sacred work. It would have been easy for them to think that they had already put in their time. But no! They too did work on the wall. Dr. Harry Ironside wrote about this and said, “The Nethinim were servants, and it is meet [i.e. 'fitting' or 'proper'] that they should have the care of this gate, for water is very generally a type of the Word of God” (Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther [Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2008], p. 92). What an important defense God’s word is! Blessed are those who protect it, and preserve it, and proclaim it as a ‘wall of defense’ for God’s people!

8. THE HORSE GATE (vv. 28-29a).

Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house (vv. 28-29a).

This would have been a truly noble gate. It was the one through which the soldiers rode in and out in former times. This was the place where those who stood in opposition to the enemies of God’s people were stationed. It was also the gate at which the wicked queen Athaliah was put to death (2 Chronicles 23:15)—putting her dreadful reign of wickedness to an end, and restoring the kingdom to the lineage of David through young King Joash. This gate would have symbolized the determination of God’s people to protect and defend the cause of His kingdom. Note here that Zadok made repairs in front of his own house. The protection of that which was his own ended up also being the protection of those around him.

9. THE EAST GATE (vv. 29b-30).

After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs. After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling (vv. 29b-30).

This is the gate that faced the rising sun. It faced the Kidron Valley—across from the Mount of Olives. In a prophecy about God’s future temple, God showed the prophet Ezekiel that this will be the gate into which our Lord will enter when He returns. God told him, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut. As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way” (Ezekiel 44:2-3). This gate speaks of the promise of the glorious return of our Lord as King of kings and Lord of lords—and of when He will take His rightful place of rule upon the throne of David and rule on earth for 1,000 years. That’s truly a hope that distinguishes us from this world!

10. THE MIPHKAD GATE (vv. 31-32).

After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner. And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs (vv. 31-32).

The word “Miphkad” speaks of “review” or “evaluation for judgment”. It was probably the gate at which controversies and issues of law settled. Interestingly, this is the last gate mentioned—reminding us of how we must all appear before the judgment seat and give an accounting. In Psalm 122—a Song of Ascent—King David wrote;

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is built
As a city that is compact together,
Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the Lord,
To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For thrones are set there for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good (Psalm 122:1-9).

This gate reminds us of how “thrones are set there for judgment”. How good it is that it’s next to the Sheep Gate—reminding us of the One who takes away our sin! How blessed to have our Judge also be our Savior!

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So then; each of these gates had a story to tell of the work we must do to be the distinct people of God in this world. The Sheep Gate speaks of our atonement through His cross. The Fish Gate speaks of our nourishment through a relationship with Him. The Old Gate speaks of the “old paths” set for us as a sure way for our feet. The Valley Gate speaks of our distinction from the world and our sanctification unto Him. The Refuse Gate speaks to us of the dangers of sinning against Him. The Fountain Gate speaks of Him as the promised Son of David. The Water Gate speaks of the refreshment that comes from His word. The Horse Gate speaks of Him as our strong Defender. The East Gate speaks of the promise of His glorious return. And the Miphkad Gate speaks of the day when He will judge the earth.

And we—as His redeemed people—all have a part in the work of the kingdom of Jesus that the gates of this wall represent. May we—by His grace, and through the strength He provides—do our work to His glory!

AE