How does Nehemiah 3:21 connect to Colossians 3:23 about working heartily for the Lord? A snapshot of the two verses “Next to him Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs from the doorway of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib.” “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.” What stands out in Nehemiah 3:21 • A named worker—Meremoth—takes responsibility for a clearly defined section of wall. • The verse highlights the exact span he repaired, showing careful record-keeping. • No mention of applause or reward; the focus is on the task itself. • Within a long list of builders (Nehemiah 3), this single line underscores that every segment mattered. How this mirrors Colossians 3:23 • Meremoth’s labor was part of God-ordained restoration; Paul calls us to the same God-focused mindset. • Specific assignment → “Whatever you do.” • Measured faithfulness → “with your whole being.” • Aim: the Lord’s approval → “for the Lord and not for men.” Old-Testament example, New-Testament command 1. Same Lord, same expectation of wholehearted service (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). 2. The wall project illustrates how ordinary work can be sacred when done under God’s direction. 3. Paul makes explicit what Nehemiah implies: the invisible Supervisor is the Lord Himself. Practical takeaways for today • Identify “your section of the wall”—the specific duties God has entrusted to you. • Work precisely: Meremoth knew the boundaries; define goals and finish them. • Seek no spotlight: recorded in Scripture, yet his reward was primarily with God (cf. Matthew 6:4). • View even routine tasks as kingdom service—emails, diapers, spreadsheets, lesson plans, maintenance. • End well: Meremoth’s stretch reached “the end of the house of Eliashib”; finish assignments completely. Other Scriptures that reinforce the principle • 1 Corinthians 10:31—“whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” • Ephesians 6:7—“Serve with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men.” • Proverbs 22:29—diligence positions a person before kings. • 2 Chronicles 31:21—Hezekiah “worked wholeheartedly, and so he prospered.” • Luke 16:10—faithfulness in little things proves fitness for greater trust. Putting it into practice – Start each task by consciously dedicating it to the Lord. – Set quality standards that reflect His excellence. – Log your progress; Nehemiah recorded who did what, modeling accountability. – Encourage co-laborers, recognizing their sections as vital. – When unnoticed, recall Colossians 3:24: “It is from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.” Why it matters A single verse about a repair job in Jerusalem demonstrates that God memorializes wholehearted service. Colossians 3:23 explains the heart-attitude behind such work. Together they assure us that each faithful brick or keystroke becomes part of a larger, God-honoring structure that will stand for eternity. |
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