The work begins

[1] Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel ….. [32]And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants. Nehemiah 3

The work begins. Eliashib the high priest with the other priests rebuilt the sheep gate and sanctified it (for holy use) the sheep gate is the first place repaired because sheep were used for sacrifices. The sheep were led through the sheep gate to the temple. First things first, it is only fitting that the sheep gate would be repaired before anything else. Their minds were focused on God and sacrifice to Him.

The rest of the chapter is dedicated to the names and the positions of the workers. They were from all walks of life: priests, men of Jericho, goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants. Families repaired the section of the wall where they lived.

Places repaired: sheep gate (vs. 1), fish gate (vs. 3), old gate (vs. 6), fortified Jerusalem to the broad wall (vs. 8), tower of the furnaces vs. 11), valley gate (vs. 13), dung gate (vs. 14), gate of the fountain (vs. 15), armory (vs. 19), court of the prison (vs. 25), water gate (vs. 26), great tower (vs. 27), horse gate (vs. 28) and back around to the sheep gate. Each person/family had a specific job. All worked with a united goal of completing the wall.

The Lord wants us, as Christians, to work together with a united goal. The goal is to live right before the world and tell others about Him and His great salvation.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 1:27

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Philippians 2:15

Have a blessed day,
Donna