What does Nehemiah 3:1 teach about prioritizing God's work in our lives? Setting the Scene Nehemiah 3 opens with a work roster for rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls after the exile. Verse 1 spotlights the spiritual leadership at the very start of the project. Nehemiah 3:1 “At that time Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began to rebuild the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they consecrated the wall.” Key Observations • The high priest and priests initiate the work. • The first section tackled is the Sheep Gate—closest to the temple and the place animals entered for sacrifice. • Twice the verse stresses consecration (“dedicated … consecrated”), book-ending their labor with worship. • The priests not only bless the work; they perform it with their own hands. What This Teaches About Prioritizing God’s Work • Worship is the first brick. – Rebuilding begins where sacrifices enter. – cf. Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God…” • Spiritual leaders model service. – They step out front, showing everyone that God’s agenda outranks personal comfort. • Holiness surrounds the task. – Work is framed by dedication before and after, reminding us to treat every endeavor as set apart for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). • The start point guides the rest. – By beginning at the temple-side gate, they align the entire wall with the center of worship, just as our schedules and budgets should be aligned around the Lord (Proverbs 3:9). • Immediate obedience counters delay. – Contrast with the post-exilic lethargy rebuked in Haggai 1:4-9; Nehemiah’s crew answers promptly. • Whole-hearted participation beats delegation. – The priests could have assigned laborers but chose to build themselves (1 Corinthians 15:58). Practical Takeaways for Today • Start every project—whether a day’s schedule, a family decision, or a church ministry—by acknowledging God and dedicating it to Him. • Leaders in the home, church, and workplace should be first to pick up the “stones,” not merely issue orders. • Let worship and the Word determine your priorities; place what draws you closest to Christ at the top of the list. • Revisit commitments with fresh dedication, book-ending tasks with thanksgiving when they begin and when they conclude. • Guard against the drift of comfort; act promptly when God’s work calls. |
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