First to be mentioned in the rebuilding of the wall is Eliashib, the high priest. He, and the priests with him, undertook to rebuild the sheep gate up to the towers that flanked it. While this was a prominent work, Eliashib does not appear to have wholeheartedly entered into the task. Whereas, we read of locks and bars for the other gates (Neh. 3:3,6, etc.), we do not read of these being restored to the sheep gate. Eliashib evidently saw little value in separating from those that opposed Israel; it would appear that he even saw them as friends! Eliashib was a kinsman of Tobiah, the Ammonite, and he would ultimately prepare him a chamber in the house of God (Neh. 13:5). Furthermore, Eliashib appears to have neglected his own house, both literally and morally. On the one hand, others had to rebuild the walls of his house (Neh. 3:20-21), while on the other, we learn that his grandson was son-in-law to Sanballat (Neh. 13:28). This is a man who likes a prominent position amongst his brethren but never enters into the spirit of their position or work, and as a consequence, that practical holiness that should characterize a sanctified people is not reflected in his life.
Next, we find the men of Jericho building (Neh. 3:2). A curse had been declared upon the one who rebuilt Jericho; it was a city whose walls were not to be restored (Josh. 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34). How like man to neglect that which is to be built and to build that which is to be destroyed. We do not know how these men came to live in Jericho, but they joined in this work of the Lord. Perhaps they knew something of deliverance from a curse. In type, they correspond to those who can join with the Apostle Paul in saying, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal. 3:13).
The Tekoites also labored, but, sadly, we find that “their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord” (Neh. 3:5). Perhaps they felt that manual labor was beneath them; worse than that, they were a poor example to those that did work. “The elders which are among you I exhort ... feed the flock of God which is among you ... neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). The faith of the leaders should be a model for those whom they lead. “Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7 JND). Those among the Tekoites who labored, despite the poor attitude of their leaders, must be especially commended, for there was a second section that they also undertook to repair! “The Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower” (Neh. 3:27).
We also find the Gibeonites among those that labored (Neh. 3:7). The history of these people is a most interesting one. Their forebearers had deceived Joshua in making a treaty with them; as a result, they were made hewers of wood and drawers of water (Josh. 9:27). Saul violated that agreement by killing some of them, but God held Israel accountable. For their part, the Gibeonites appear to have valued the position into which they had been brought, even if that meant being forever servants to the house of God (Josh. 9:23). As Gentiles they were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, but they stuck with Israel through thick or thin. We even read that one of David’s mighty men was a Gibeonite (1 Chron. 12:4).
The goldsmiths, apothecaries and merchants joined in the work (Neh. 3:8,31-32). One’s natural vocation should not hinder in one’s work for the Lord. It may be that we have an ability that lends itself to accounting, carpentry, medicine, farming or whatever the case may be, but it should neither detract from nor prevent one from exercising the spiritual gift they have received (1 Peter 4:10). On the other hand, it is appropriate to have an occupation; it is godly order that we provide for our own (1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Thess. 3:10-12).
Thankfully, not all the nobles behaved like the Tekoites; Hur (Neh. 3:9), Shallum (vs. 12), Malchiah (vs. 14), Shallun (vs. 15), Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk (vs. 16), Hashabiah (vs. 16), Bavai (vs. 18), Ezer (vs. 19) all put their hands to the work — in each case, they were either co-rulers or rulers over cities.
There were several that had a vested interest in repairing the wall. Jedaiah repaired over against his house (Neh. 3:10). As with Rahab’s house in Jericho, dwellings were often attached to the city wall. We find others likewise repairing the wall in the vicinity of their homes: Benjamin (Neh. 3:23), the priests (Neh. 3:28), and Zadok (Neh. 3:29). Separation must begin in our own homes. Holiness in the assembly cannot be sustained when looseness is permitted in the domestic circle; godliness begins at home: “If any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God” (1 Tim. 5:4). If we do not have a care for our homes and what is permitted to enter them, then we cannot expect to keep our children. In the case of Berechiah, it does not appear that he had a house — simply a chamber — and yet he valued it and repaired the wall “over against his chamber” (Neh. 3:30).
In the case of Shallum, a ruler whom we have already noted, we read that he and his daughters repaired the wall. It is very important that daughters are not neglected when it comes to spiritual things; they also need to be encouraged to be good stewards of their spiritual gifts (1 Pet. 4:10). Though a woman is not to teach publicly, nor to usurp authority over a man, she will be instrumental in shaping the lives of her sons and daughters (1 Tim. 2:12). “The unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Tim. 1:5). Many children have been brought to the Lord by their mothers.
Both the Levites and the Priests participated in the work (Neh. 3:17,22,28). We should not feign a piousness that precludes us from helping in the more mundane aspects of life. When necessary, the Apostle Paul labored with his own hands as a tentmaker (Acts 18:13); this was especially important in Corinth where he did not want to be chargeable to them, though he had a right to do so (2 Cor. 11:9; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8). There is, however, another aspect to this work of the priests and Levites that was even more important: they repaired “every one over against his house” (Neh. 3:28). While executing their priestly office in their service for the Lord, they did not neglect their homes. Sadly, there are multiple instances in Scripture of faithful men whose homes were not as they ought to have been before God: Eli (also a priest), Samuel, and David, are examples of this (1 Sam. 1:22-25; 8:3; 2 Sam. 23:5).
Baruch simply repaired “the other piece” (Neh. 3:20). There was nothing special about his section of the wall, and yet, he “earnestly repaired the wall.” How good to see one with a zeal for the Lord, no matter the task committed to him. In his case, it was a portion that Eliashib should have shown a greater interest in, as it bordered his house, but we don’t find Baruch complaining. We once again note that service within our own small sphere of responsibility may well prepare us for larger things. The office of a deacon may not seem very significant, but those who execute it well “purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:13).
Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah are also to be noted: they repaired 1000 cubits of the wall — around 1460 feet! Let’s not forget that the stones that made up these walls were huge blocks; this was a mammoth undertaking. Furthermore, it was not the most glamorous piece of wall; it stretched from the Valley gate unto the Dung gate.