The Passage: Nehemiah 3:3
The Point: God cares about every detail of our lives.
We discover this simple account in Nehemiah 3 that highlights the pains Nehemiah took to describe each part of the wall’s reconstruction. The description is repeated five times within the chapter and reminds us that God never misses a single detail of our lives.
The specific accounting of the ‘laying of beams, setting of doors, bolts, and bars” is so detailed and measured that we might wonder about its significance. How can a God who created the vast universe also be concerned about something as seemingly insignificant as bolts and bars? Why would Nehemiah document both the names of the men who completed this work and the unique task to which they put their hand?
Even now, God is in the business of rebuilding lives and restoring communities. His plans are just as specific and detailed. They include each one of us by name. He gifts each person specifically to the task at hand. No assignment is too small, and no portion of ground can be left in ruins. We are called to take His gospel to our own “Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The psalmist praised God in Psalm 104:3 saying, “He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters…” And in Psalm 147:13, we are reminded that “he strengthens the bars of your gates.” Nehemiah directed the people to do the work, but the wisdom and grace they needed came from God alone. Rebuilding the wall would fortify the city for the Israelites and serve as a spiritual metaphor for us.
Our spiritual stability and protection is walled and gated in by Jesus Christ. He restores our lives and transforms our hearts so that we experience security as we join His Kingdom-building here and now.
Processing:
- What attribute of God’s character does Nehemiah’s attention to detail bring to mind?
- Why is it important for us to have an orderly and repetitive record of God’s work?
- What kept the Israelites encouraged and motivated?
Planning:
- What small detail of grace has God used in your life to remind you of His love?
- Has God ever highlighted an insignificant accomplishment in your life for His glory?
- What area of spiritual instability can Jesus restore in you today?