Nehemiah 3:1-32 is a section of scripture that contains more than just a list of Jewish names. It is actually a record of those who labored on the wall of Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity.

What can we learn from this record preserved by the Holy Spirit?

Nehemiah wasn’t working by himself.

  • They were many who put their hands to the work (Nehemiah 2:18).
    • In Nehemiah 3, we find a list of those who worked alongside Nehemiah.
    • There are at least 40 names mentioned. This doesn’t include the names of priests and members of families.
  • It takes more than one person working for the cause of God to prosper!
    • God wants all disciples to be using their talents and abilities to do His work (1 Peter 4:10-11).
    • Every disciple has a work to do in the kingdom!

Every worker was important.  

  • There are 39 different places on the wall that were worked on.
    • Every one of those places was equally important. Every one of those places needed to be attended to and repaired.
    • This means that every person listed in the chapter was equally important in their work.
  • This same principle is true today.
    • Every worker in the kingdom of God today is equally important (Ephesians 4:11-12).
    • This is part of the reason why the church is referred to as a “body” (Romans 12:4-8). Is there any part of your body that you don’t view as important?

The workers were zealous.

  • Baruch was a great example of this (Nehemiah 3:20).
    • Many had to be like Baruch. Otherwise, how could they have accomplished this work in fewer than 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15)?
    • There were many passionate and enthusiastic workers!
  • We must follow in their footsteps (Romans 12:11).
    • If anything excites us, it should be the work of winning lost souls!
    • God’s work is the most important in the world!

Not everyone did their part.

  • We see this in Nehemiah 3:5. It is not clear why there were some who did not want to help. Maybe they were afraid or they did not believe in the work.
  • How should we respond to this same problem today?
    • We should never let these folks discourage and distract us.
    • We should urge them to join in because their talents are needed.

Conclusion: There is nothing more important than working for the Lord!