Today’s daily devotional on Nehemiah 3 presents a vivid example of teamwork, as it lists the many people who helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Though most participated willingly, a few, such as the nobles of Tekoa, refused to contribute. This chapter highlights the value of collaboration and how shared effort can accomplish great tasks. It also raises a question for us: Are we team players willing to work for a common goal? To read how Nehemiah planned the rebuilding of the wall, read the daily devotional on Nehemiah 2.
Nehemiah’s leadership stands out. He invited people to take personal ownership of the work by assigning them to sections near their homes. The frequent phrases “next to him” and “after him” emphasize the unity and coordinated effort required to complete this monumental task. Just as in Nehemiah’s day, teamwork and a shared sense of responsibility can help us accomplish the most daunting challenges in our lives today.
Nehemiah 3 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Nehemiah 3 contains a long list of names of those who helped build the wall. Most helped but some refused. Are you a team player? Please read or listen to Nehemiah 3.
In 1991, at thirty-six years old, I read Nehemiah 1-5 on the same day. I wrote this about those chapters, “Nehemiah, living in the comfort of the king’s court, has a burden for his people, his city, his God. Because God gave him position power, he could get permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He left his comfort zone to serve his God.”
What Made Nehemiah an Effective Leader?
In 2002, at forty-seven years old, I was reading a book a month. I read Nehemiah several times during the same month. I have two entries on Nehemiah 3 in 2002. The first one was, “How to complete a big job. One section at a time. Nehemiah coordinated the effort, but everyone did their part. Delegation and trust are key characteristics of leadership. The job is done quicker and people own the final product.”
The second time I read Nehemiah 3 that same month, I wrote, “Delegation. Nehemiah got everybody involved. I’m sure he had a plan for the whole wall, but he delegated sections to those in the neighborhood. They did it faster and probably had some ownership in the project.”
In 2012, at fifty-seven years old, I read Nehemiah 3 and wrote, “Pitching in. Nehemiah invited people to help in chapter 2. Chapter 3 lists all those who did. How do you build a wall around the city? One section, one gate at a time, with lots of help. Many built the wall or gate near their own homes. They had a personal interest in their sections. Nehemiah must have been a great leader to get all these people to help.”
What Does the Bible Say About the Rebuilding of the Walls?
Let’s look at this chapter. There are a couple of phrases repeated often. The first one is next to him, next to him, next to him. It is used eleven times. The other repeated phrase is after him, after him, after him, used fourteen times. Rebuilding the walls around an entire city was an ambitious project, and by the list of names we just went through in chapter 3, Nehemiah rallied lots of people to help get the job done. Next to him and after him reflect the teamwork that was necessary to complete this task. It looks like everybody pitched in.
What Leadership Strategies did Nehemiah Use?
Almost everybody. Did you notice verse 5 said, “And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.” So even when teamwork is evident and everybody is pitching in to help, there are some who will not help. Those that decided not to help were called “nobles.” They must have felt too good about themselves to help build the wall. They “would not stoop to serve their Lord” (v. 5).
But the message in Nehemiah 3 is clear: Teamwork. Next to him, after him, next to him, after him. Nehemiah created personal interest in the project by letting people repair the walls and the gates right across from their own homes.
What Lessons Can We Learn from Nehemiah Rebuilding the Wall?
There are some great applications from this chapter. First, to do a big project, it takes teamwork. Secondly, back in chapter 2, Nehemiah did not tell them what to do; he invited them to help. Thirdly, he created a personal interest in the project. Those three steps are valuable if you are leading a business, or running any kind of project, or even dealing with your children. Teamwork: ask people to help, create a personal interest, and may God bless you as you take on any kind of project in the Lord.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for the examples we read in scripture. Though there are a long list of names in this chapter, we get the point. You work through people to get Your will accomplished here on earth. And You know us by name.
Lord, I make myself available to help You complete any kind of project You need my help with. Help me do my part to be next to him, or to be after him. Put me on Your team, Lord. Use me to build Your kingdom here on earth. And use me in a place where I have personal interest. Then, Lord, help me be very effective for You. Open my eyes to the projects You are working on around me and put me on the team. We give You the thanks. In Jesus’ name, amen.
