The building of the wall around the city of Jerusalem. It was to keep those within the city safe and separate from their enemies outside. We ought to love those who are still outside, lost and guilty, but we ought not to mix with them.
V.1 Eliashib, the high priest, does some building. But read Nehemiah 13:4, 28. He was connected to the enemies. Then look at verses 20-21 of our chapter; he didn’t build in front of his own house. These men build the sheep gate, the first gate mentioned, for it is as lost sheep that we are found and redeemed and brought inside.
V.3 The fish gate. Now we are saved, and one of His sheep, we can be “fishers of men” to win others for the Lord.
V.5 How some did their work.
V.6 The “old gate.” Today when everything that is old is considered out of date, it is good to remember that the truth of God never goes out of date.
V.12 Perhaps there are some daughters who don’t like it too well when their fathers build a wall, and restrain them from worldly friends and amusements. These faithful daughters helped their father to build the wall!