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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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<h2><a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 'all');">Neh 3</a> - The Building of the Walls</h2>
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<p>A. The record of the builders.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '1-2');">1-2</a>) Builders near the Sheep Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, <i>and </i>consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. Next to <i>Eliashib </i>the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">They built . . . built . . . built</span></b>: <a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 'all');">Neh 3</a> is all about work - how individuals pitched in and did the work together, coordinated and led by Nehemiah.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">And built the Sheep Gate</span></b>: The work is described in reference to the gates of the wall. The gates were the critical entry and exit points to the city, and the places most likely to see an enemy attack. Therefore the work started at each gate and worked out from there.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The <b><span class="c3">Sheep Gate</span></b> was so named because it was the gate where shepherds brought their flocks to sell them. Up until a few years ago, this same gate was being used for this same purpose in Jerusalem.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Eliashib the high priest</span></b>: This was the first worker mentioned. He <b><span class="c3">rose up</span></b> to do the work with the other priests, and they worked at rebuilding the <b><span class="c3">Sheep Gate</span></b> and the section of wall near there.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">Eliashib the high priest</span></b> acted as a godly leader should; he was out in front of the work, leading by example. He did not act as if he was too “spiritual” for the hard work of rebuilding the walls.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. If you are a leader, others are looking hard at you and they follow your example. If you are slow to work, they will be also; if you are full of discouragement and doubt, they will follow. There is a good reason why <b><span class="c3">Eliashib</span></b> was first mentioned, and why the rest of the chapter is filled with the names of more than 50 others that followed his example in the work.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">They consecrated it</span></b>: The idea behind consecration is to recognize something as special, as uniquely set apart for God’s glory and service. These city gates were made special to God. Nehemiah and Eliashib knew that God wanted <i>everything</i> set apart special to Him, including these city walls and gates.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Because the first of the work was specially set apart to God, it was a way for them to say, “All of this work belongs to You, <span class="c6">Lord</span>. This is a special work done unto You.”</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. This is a great secret to joy and success in life: to do everything as unto the <span class="c6">Lord</span>. <i>And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Col', 3, 17);">Col 3:17</a>)</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built</span></b>: Every man’s work was important, and though these did not work on a gate, they did the important job of building up the walls of protection and security for Jerusalem.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '3-5');">3-5</a>) Builders near the Fish Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs. Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The Fish Gate</span></b>: This gate got its name because of the nearby fish market. The <b><span class="c3">sons of Hassenaah</span></b> did the work of rebuilding the gate while others helped.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Made repairs</span></b>: The word for <b><span class="c3">repairs</span></b> is the Hebrew word <i>chazaq</i>, used 35 times in this chapter alone. It has the idea of strengthening, encouraging, of making something strong (Kidner). These are principles that have application to far more than <i>material</i> gates and walls.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The Bible says that we must be <i>built up</i> and <i>repaired</i>. In <a onclick="return mV('Eph', 4, 12);">Eph 4:12</a>, God says the purpose of the church is <i>for the equipping of the saints</i>, and idea behind <i>equipping</i> is to prepare, strengthen, and make something able to be used. We come together as Christians to strengthen one another, to make us strong and able to live for Jesus and serve Him outside the gatherings of the church.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Next to them the Tekoites made repairs</span></b>: The <b><span class="c3">Tekoites</span></b> did their work. The people of the city of Tekoa were more than willing to work - <b><span class="c3">but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord</span></b><i>.</i> For the most part, people joined in - but not <i>everybody</i>. These <b><span class="c3">nobles</span></b> from the city of Tekoa thought they were above the hard work, so they didn’t join in.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Literally, the idea in the Hebrew is that they wouldn’t submit - they would not “bend their necks” to what the <span class="c6">Lord</span> wanted them to do. The real issue was submission. Maybe they thought they had a better plan, maybe they didn’t like how Nehemiah was doing it. Whatever their reason, you can be sure they later regretted it, because they stand in infamy as the only people mentioned in this chapter who <i>did not</i> join in the work.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Perhaps Nehemiah wanted to record the <i>names</i> of each of these nobles, but the <span class="c6">Lord</span> made him have mercy and only indicate them in a general way.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '6-12');">6-12</a>) Builders near the Old Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars. And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor <i>of the region </i>beyond the River. Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs. Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens. And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate</span></b>: Among the repairers of the <b><span class="c3">Old Gate</span></b> and its nearby walls was <b><span class="c3">Uzziel, the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths</span></b>. Along side him was <b><span class="c3">Hananiah, one of the perfumers</span></b>. </p>
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<p class="c5">i. These were men of different professions, not professional builders. They were not trained for this kind of work. It would have seemed they had an easy excuse to not do anything, but they jumped in and did the work. <b><span class="c3">They fortified Jerusalem</span></b>, even though many would not think them qualified or able.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The most important ability in the work of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> is <b><span class="c3">availability</span></b>. The one with few gifts and little talent, who has a passion and a drive to see God’s work done, will accomplish far more than a gifted and talented person who doesn’t have they passion and drive to do the <span class="c6">Lord</span>’s work.</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. “Viggo Olsen, who helped rebuild ten thousand houses in war-raved Bangladesh in 1972, derived unexpected inspiration from reading a chapter ordinarily considered one of the least interesting in the Bible: ‘I was struck . . . that no expert builders were listed in the “Holy Land brigade.” There were priests, priests’ helpers, goldsmiths, perfume makers, and women, but no expert builders or carpenters were named.’” (Yamauchi)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">The Broad Wall</span></b>: Today you can see in Jerusalem the remains of this <b><span class="c3">Broad Wall</span></b> - and broad it is, more than 20 feet (6 meters) wide. Critics had denied the accuracy of Bible history like this, but the archaeologist’s shovel constantly confirms the truth of the Bible.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem</span></b>: He worked on this section of the wall. Here was another <b><span class="c3">leader</span></b> who knew real leadership is getting down and doing it - being a servant, instead of expecting others to do it for you.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house</span></b>: Five times in the <a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 'all');">Neh 3</a>, it speaks of those who worked on the section right in front of their <b><span class="c3">house</span></b>. Often, we need to give attention to the work of God right at our own homes. If the work needs to be done anywhere, it needs to be done at our homes.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The names of the men who are said to have <b><span class="c3">made repairs in front of his house</span></b> are interesting:</p><ul class="c6"><li><a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 10);">Neh 3:10</a> mentions <b><span class="c3">Jedaiah</span></b>, and his name means <i>He who calls unto God</i>. Our homes must be places of prayer, where the family calls unto God.</li><li><a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 23);">Neh 3:23</a> mentions <b><span class="c3">Benjamin</span></b>, and his name means <i>Son of my right hand</i>, speaking of a protector. Our homes must be places of protection and peace.</li><li><a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 29);">Neh 3:29</a> mentions <b><span class="c3">Zadok</span></b>, and his name means <i>Justice</i>. Our homes must be places of justice and integrity, especially with integrity regarding our marital vows and promises.</li><li><a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 30);">Neh 3:30</a> mentions <b><span class="c3">Meshullam</span></b>, and his name means <i>Devoted</i>. Our homes must be places of devotion and separation to God.</li></ul>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">Malchijah son of Harim</span></b>: This man is mentioned in <a onclick="return mV('Ezr', 10, 31);">Ezr 10:31</a> as one of the men who was confronted by Ezra for the sin of taking on a pagan wife. That was many years before this, so <b><span class="c3">Malchijah</span></b> got things right with God and now, years later, he served Him.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. A believer should never let a past failure get in the way of serving God. Repent, set it right, make a stand for righteousness - and get on serving the <span class="c6">Lord</span>.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. <b><span class="c3">Shallum the son of Hallohesh . . . he and his daughters made repairs</span></b>: <i>Everyone</i> who could help did help in the repairs.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. With the great number of different people working on the walls, it was imperative that they all work with the same mind - or the wall would not be uniform and would not be a strong defense. Yet, each section was a little different because different people worked on each section.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. In the same way, in the family of God, the work must be done with a common vision and mindset - <i>the mind of Christ</i>, as Paul described it in <a onclick="return mV('1Cr', 2, 16);">1Cr 2:16</a>. When believers work together in one accord, yet with each offering their distinctive gifts, the work of God gets done in a glorious way.</p>
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<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 13);">13</a>) Builders near the Valley Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and <i>repaired </i>a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate.</p>
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<p class="c1">5. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 14);">14</a>) Builders near the Refuse Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.</p>
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<p class="c1">6. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '15-25');">15-25</a>) Builders near the Fountain Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David. After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as <i>the place </i>in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty. After him the Levites, <i>under </i>Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district. After him their brethren, <i>under </i>Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the <i>other </i>half of the district of Keilah, made repairs. And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the leader of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the buttress. After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. After him Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. And after him the priests, the men of the plain, made repairs. After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs by his house. After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress, even as far as the corner. Palal the son of Uzai <i>made repairs </i>opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that <i>was </i>by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh <i>made repairs.</i></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">By the King’s Garden</span></b>: Charles Spurgeon preached a beautiful sermon on this text, where he spoke of six different gardens of the King: Eden, Gesthemane, the Garden Tomb, the human heart, the church as a whole, and the garden of Paradise in heaven.</p>
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<p class="c1">7. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '26-27');">26-27</a>) Builders near the Water Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel <i>made repairs </i>as far as <i>the place </i>in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower. After them the Tekoites repaired another section, next to the great projecting tower, and as far as the wall of Ophel.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The Tekoites repaired another section</span></b>: The section of wall near the Water Gate saw some remarkable service. Apparently, the <b><span class="c3">Tekoites</span></b> weren’t satisfied with the significant work they did before - they went on to do even more work. They weren’t going to let the bad example of their nobles who did no work (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 5);">Neh 3:5</a>) keep them from working above and beyond the call of duty.</p>
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<p class="c1">8. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '28-30');">28-30</a>) Builders near the Horse Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his <i>own </i>house. After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his <i>own </i>house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs. After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah was the keeper of the East Gate</span></b>: Apparently the gate in front of his house was in good condition, so he pitched in and helped at the <b><span class="c3">Horse Gate</span></b>. His unselfishness was a great example.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling</span></b>: The Hebrew word for <b><span class="c3">dwelling</span></b> is actually <i>chamber</i> - it refers to a singular room. <b><span class="c3">Meshullam</span></b> had only one small room, yet he was devoted to God and to the work of rebuilding the walls. It is better to be devoted to God in one small room than to have a mansion and have a heart cold to God.</p>
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<p class="c1">9. (<a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, '31-32');">31-32</a>) Builders near the Miphkad (muster or assembly) Gate.</p>
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<p class="c2">After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner. And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.</p>
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<p>B. Observations on <a onclick="return mV('Neh', 3, 'all');">Neh 3</a>.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. This chapter shows the need for believers to work together to accomplish something.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. It pleased God to see His people working together in one accord, with one heart, with one mind. God will put us into situations where we <i>must</i> work together, and learn how to lead, how to follow, how to work together with one heart and mind.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. The wall was continuous. Any gap compromised the entire structure. Therefore, each space at the wall was important - even if someone did not think so. As well, the wall could never be strong if someone was tearing it down at a different section.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. The work done was a reflection on the family - almost everyone mentioned is mentioned as the <i>son of</i> someone.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. It is in the family our children learn how to work, and parents must be committed to teaching their children how to be hard workers. In a spiritual sense, our hard work - or lack of it - is a reflection on our spiritual family. Each Christian should be a good reflection of their spiritual family.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. Evidence of Nehemiah’s leadership.</p>
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<p class="c4">a. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he made each man accountable for his work. Each man had a section of wall he was responsible for, and it was known he was responsible for it. No one wanted it to be seen that they were a poor worker in God’s cause.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. By giving each man a sense of responsibility for the work, they helped ensure the work would be done right. It made each man accountable.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he noted who did the work and who didn’t - the list demonstrates this.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he organized the work for maximum efficiency. Everyone had their section, and the work was organized around the gates - the places most needful of the work.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he knew where to start. He began with the spiritual aspect of the work (the high priest’s work is mentioned first), and by consecrating everything to God.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he got both “high” and “low” to join together in doing the work. The leaders and the high priest worked together with the man who lived in a single room.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he was willing to let people try new things - goldsmiths, priests, and perfumers all because construction workers.</p>
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<p class="c4">g. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he made people focus on their own house first.</p>
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<p class="c4">h. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he didn’t disqualify people because of a past of sin and compromise.</p>
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