What other biblical figures demonstrated similar zeal in their service to God? Zeal on the Wall—Nehemiah 3:20 “Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai diligently repaired another section, from the angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest.” (Nehemiah 3:20) Baruch’s name is forever linked with energetic devotion. Scripture offers many kindred spirits whose passion for the Lord blazed just as brightly. Old-Testament Portraits of Zeal • Phinehas – Numbers 25:11: “Phinehas son of Eleazar… was zealous for My honor… so that I did not destroy them in My zeal.” His swift action turned away God’s wrath and secured a covenant of peace. • Elijah – 1 Kings 19:10: “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts.” Even when alone on Mount Horeb, Elijah’s fiery loyalty never cooled. • Jehu – 2 Kings 10:16: “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD.” He purged Baal worship with uncompromising vigor. • King Josiah – 2 Kings 23:25: “Before him there had been no king like him… with all his heart… soul… and… strength.” His nationwide reforms sprang from wholehearted commitment. • Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 31:21: “In every work… to seek his God, he did it with all his heart and prospered.” Organization of the temple and revival of worship flowed from intense devotion. • Ezra – Ezra 7:10: “Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach…” Scholarship, obedience, and teaching merged in one fervent life. • David – 1 Chronicles 29:3: “Because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give… my personal treasures of gold and silver.” Generosity revealed a heart burning for God’s house. New-Testament Portraits of Zeal • Jesus – John 2:17: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.” Cleansing the temple showed perfect, holy passion. • John the Baptist – John 3:30: “He must increase; I must decrease.” Zeal expressed through self-forgetful exaltation of Christ. • Peter and the Apostles – Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.” Unflinching proclamation despite threats. • Stephen – Acts 7:51-60: fearless witness that cost him his life, shining with Spirit-filled courage. • Apollos – Acts 18:24-26: “fervent in spirit,” accurately teaching Scripture and boldly refuting error. • Paul – Romans 15:20: “I aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known.” Tireless church-planting journeys and epistles testify to consuming missionary drive. Shared Marks of God-Honoring Zeal – Rooted in covenant love, not personal ambition. – Expressed through concrete action—building walls, teaching truth, confronting idolatry, or traveling with the gospel. – Willing to pay any price: ridicule, danger, personal resources, even life itself. – Focused on God’s glory and His people’s good. Reflections for Today Baruch’s determined labor on Jerusalem’s wall stands in a long line of believers whose hearts burned hot for the Lord. Their stories call every generation to wholehearted obedience, steady perseverance, and joyful sacrifice—until our own section of the wall is finished and the King is honored. |
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