Names

Zaccur, Meremoth, Meshullam, Joida,-WOW. These names are certainly not familiar or easy to pronounce. It would be easy to skip over Nehemiah, chapter 3. There’s not much action happening there. But, chapter 3 holds a lot of insight into the people of Jerusalem and into the organization of the work. Have you ever started a project only to get bogged down by the enormity of the amount of work? That is what happened in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was organized and knew that tackling the whole project was asking more than what the people could handle. However, if each took responsibility for a portion of the project, it would be manageable. Not only that, they were made to be responsible for the portion of the wall by their home. Who would want to do a crummy job if you had to look at it everyday?

Not only does chapter 3 list people with unusual names, but it also informs us as to who they were: goldsmiths, mayors, priests, perfume makers… These people were not all carpenters and builders. God gave them abilities as they volunteered to do the tasks assigned to them.

Unfortunately, the list is not limited to names and vocations, and wall assignments. Verse 5 mentions some men from Tokoa. It goes on to say that these men were “lazy and didn’t help.” It seems every project has its slackers. Who do you suppose had to pick up the extra work? It is usually those who were over-committed to begin with.

How does this chapter pertain to us? If there was a large project at church, too much for any one person or small group, how would this project be tackled? For instance, a car show, picnics in the park, youth programs, Bethlehem Village, -who carries on these programs? One, two or three people? Do you need a degree in youth work, evangelism, or cars to be used? NO! Chapter 3 isn’t there just to challenge our phonics, but to demonstrate to us that everyone must take a part to complete the whole. I’m not directly involved with Treasure Hunters, but my grandkids are. Therefore, I, just a housewife and grandmother, want it to be a great program. What am I doing to help this program to be successful or am I in the category of “lazy and didn’t help”?

If your name and occupation were going to be listed, what wall of Immanuel Church are you working on?

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor.15:58

Contributed by Barb Kornoelje