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Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

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Studies in Nehemiah                                                                                                                                          Lesson 7

THE GATES OF JERUSALEM

Nehemiah 3:1-32

I.      ORGANIZATION. (Vss.1-32)

A.  The whole of chapter 3 is consumed with organization, how the various families joined together in the construction and rebuilding process under the direction of Nehemiah.

Study notes:

Name cases when you have seen good works fail due to lack of organization. Talk about chaos which occurs without organization.

1.   He divided the wall into sections. (Big jobs are not so intimidating when divided into small bits.)

Study notes:

How can you apply this principle to the big jobs in your life?

2.   He assigned sections to groups and to individuals. (Made specific people accountable for specific areas of work.) Being specific is a great key to success.

Study notes:

Discuss the difference in the success ratio where people are accountable as opposed to no accountability. How does accountability affect follow-through? Have you made yourself accountable to a mortal? To whom? If not, why not?

3.      Each worker knew that what he was doing was a part of a grand, overall plan. (There is strength and encouragement in numbers.)

 B.    The priests were the first to respond. (Vs. 1)

1.   The priests worked near the sheep gate through which the sacrificial animals passed.

2.      This scene is a reminder of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who walked through this gate to be sacrificed for us. Hebrews 13:12.

3.   The work began here. The High Priest was not too good to work in the waste and destruction that had been brought on by sin. The High Priest is a type of Christ, who worked to restore what Adam lost. Hebrews 3:1-3.

Study notes:

In any area of leadership, how important is it for those who lead to be willing to personally enter into any facet of the project as the need my require? Are people inclined to follow leaders who will not become personally involved in the work?

 C.    The priests "sanctified" the sheep gate.

1.      They let it be known that every timber and stone belonged to God.

Study notes:

To whom do you belong? The money and other goods in your possession? Your family? Your business? The church? Psalm 24:1.

2.      They knew that they were nothing without God in this project. Psalm 127:1.

 II.   TEN GATES ARE MENTIONED IN THIS CHAPTER.

 A.  The Sheep Gate. (Vss. 1, 32)

1.      This gate is called St. Stephen's Gate today.

2.      This gate is a type of Christ.

3.      Next to this gate were two defence towers; the tower of Meah on the east side and the tower of Hananeel on the west side.

B.    The Fish Gate. (Vs. 3)

1.      Merchants from Tyre brought fish through this gate to a nearby fish market.

2.   The citizens of Tekoah assumed a double portion of the repair work. See verse 27.

a.   Their leaders would do nothing to help (vs. ). They wanted the benefits of the wall, but were not willing to do their share of the work. They were stiffnecked.

Study notes:

What do you think about leaders of this sort?

b.   It is noteworthy that Nehemiah did not let their sullen attitude become an issue. He did the work with those who shared his zeal and vision.

Study notes:

What happens when a leader allows the negative attitudes of those around him to dictate his approach to the work?

 C.    The Old Gate. (Vs. 6)

D.  The Valley Gate. (Vs. 13)

E.   The Dung Gate. (Vs. 14)

F.   The Fountain Gate. (Vs. 15)

G.   The Water Gate. (Vs. 26)

1.   The "Nethinims" were temple servants appointed by David to serve the priests. Ezra 8:20.

2.      They were naturalized foreigners. Ezra 2:58.

 H.   The Ephraim Gate would go here. It was there, though it is not mentioned in this listing. See Nehemiah 8:16.

I.    The Horse Gate. (Vs. 28)

J.    The East Gate. (Vs. 29)

K.   The Gate Miphkad. (Vs. 31)

L.   The Prison Gate goes here.

 Study notes:

It is recommended that the teacher use a map showing the wall and the gates of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah to illustrate this lesson.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"