PASSION, PRESSURE & PERFORMANCE Studies in the Book of Nehemiah SESSSION FOUR PAYING THE PRICE FOR THE PRIZE TOGETHER

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1 PASSION, PRESSURE & PERFORMANCE Studies in the Book of Nehemiah SESSSION FOUR PAYING THE PRICE FOR THE PRIZE TOGETHER A. INTRODUCTION: MUNDANE BUT MEANINGFUL B. WHAT S THE PRIZE?...SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REBUILDING 1. Re-Establishing God s Name Despite its mundane appearance, this chapter is more than a construction record. Their restoration also represented a reversal of the humiliation of defeat and destruction suffered because of Israel s sin (cf. 2:3, 17). Like the restored temple, the rebuilt walls would assure the Jews of God s redemptive presence among them. Building the wall was part of fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah (Ezra 1:1). Its completion would mean the restoration of the holy city (11:1, 18), despite the incompleteness of that restoration due to the continuing sins of the people Repudiating The Destroyers The walls helped to protect Jerusalem from the enemies and marauders of Judah. Neh 3 is one of the most detailed description of Jerusalem. An archaeologist, K. Kenyon, uncovered that the wall was about eight feet thick Remembering Our Identity Although the walls and gates served a military purpose (cf. Neh 4) and provided security, the walls gave the people of God a sense of identity and distinctiveness. They were a People set apart for God, separate from pagan worship and lifestyle (cf. 13:19 22). 4. Re-Affirming the Price-Payers Though Nehemiah s eloquence had encouraged the bulk of the nation to come forward for the rebuilding (Neh 2:18), it had not moved the entire community. There were those 1 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, pp ). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 2 Ibid. p Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 1

2 who refused to take any part in the work even though it was the work of their Lord (Neh 3:5) and these laggards were of the noble class. 3 In the light of the non-involved, putting on record of the names of the men who boldly came to the front on this occasion, sacrificed their ease to their duty, and exposed themselves to a threatened hostile attack and carried on the project with zeal and sword in their hands (Neh 4:8 20) was the most honorable thing to do. That was to Honor the Honored. 5. Rejoicing in Nehemiah s Master Class in Planning Another reason for the Jews success was Nehemiah s wise delegation of labor. He knew how to choose leaders and to delegate authority. Also, many built the part nearest their own house. A leader must take into account family and incentive factors in planning and delegating responsibilities. 4 C. WHAT S THE PRICE? This chapter can be divided into two parts: (a) The Northern and Western Walls (Neh 3: 1 15) (b) The Eastern Wall (3: 16 30) Neh 3 is a most comprehensive description of the Jerusalem. An archaeologist, K. Kenyon, uncovered that the wall was about eight feet thick. 5 The book took a retrospective, post construction view: it mentioned the finishing touches of gates, bolts, and doors, which according to 6:1 and 7:1 were completed later. Although it described the construction of the wall, some details were omitted. For example, there were a number of cases where a man or group was said to have built another section ( a second section ), no first section was mentioned. 6 3 Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 26). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. 4 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, pp ). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 5 Ibid. p Ibid. p Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 2

3 1. Organizing for Action This chapter showed that Nehemiah was an outstanding organizer. Constructing 45 sections of the Wall, including 10 gates. Organizing 40 manageable work crew Groups through shared interests and geography (3: 1-10). Supervising 38 leaders, mentioning 30 by their or fathers names. Mentioning the topographical details took out to the entire circuit of the wall. The tower of Meah, The tower of Hananeel, The fish gate the old gate, the throne of the governor, the broad wall, the tower of the furnaces, the valley gate, the dung gate, the gate of the fountain, the pool of Siloam, the king s garden, the stairs, the sepulchers of David, the pool that was made, the armory, the Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 3

4 tower that lay out, Ophel, the horse gate, the gate Miphkad, the sheep gate, and the ascent of the corner 7 Supplying materials, arranging the infrastructure with each group focusing on different sections and after completing one, then taking on another section (vv 11, 19, 21, 24) showed the entire rebuilding was full of life and activity. 8 We need a wise leader who can strategize and organized. 2. Assigning right person to right job Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel (Neh 3: 1) Eliashib the high priest, son of Joiakim and the grandson of the Jeshua who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; 3:2), was one of the first to rise up. The priests, led by Eliashib, went to work as well. It was significant that Eliashib the high priest took this part of the wall, which befitted him on this occasion. The priests lived primarily in this portion of the city. The Sheep Gate was near the Northeast corner of wall and near the Temple area. It was the entrance by which the sheep were brought in for sacrifice, which were then washed in the adjoining pool, the pool of Bethesda. The tower of Meah (or the Hundred ) and the tower of Hananeel were opposite each other, like the towers in the walls of Babylon. 9 This wall was the only side not built on steep hill, that was why it had the Tower of Hananel, the citadel of the temple (2:8). The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them (Neh 3: 2) This was a cooperative effort. People from all professions and trades, coming from many villages and outlying areas of Judah, were involved in the rebuilding The men of Jericho were assigned the northeastern corner of the wall, because it was the part nearest to their own town. The inclusion of Jericho in the restored Judea had appeared from Ezra 2:34. 7 Ibid. 8 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 184). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 9 Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 27). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 4

5 3. Involving those who want to be involved 3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. 5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel. 10 (Neh 3: 3 5) The Fish Gate, which they built, was in the northern wall, towards its eastern extremity, and not far from the modern Damascus gate. It was also called the Ephraim Gate (8:16; 12:39; 2 Kgs 14:13) and the Middle Gate (Jer 39:3). 11 It was so called because fish were brought in from the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee. The beams, bolts and bars : The gates of towns in ancient times were almost always secured in this way. 12 Meremoth was known to both Ezra and Nehemiah. Repaired literally to make firm or strong, is used many times in the following verses. 13 The men of Tekoa came the wise woman whom Joab sent to incline David to fetch home Absalom (2 Kings 14:2, 3). It was a small place, the home of prophet Amos and did not appear either in the catalogue of those who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:20 35; Neh. 7:25 38), or in the census list of Nehemiah (Neh 11:25 35). 14 The upper classes at Tekoah, the adirim or exalted, withdrew from the work, leaving it to the common people to engage in it. Since it was close to the area controlled by Geshem the Arab, perhaps the nobles were influenced by or afraid of him. Whatever their reason, it indicates that some of the Jews did not support Nehemiah s plan. This was not surprising that he would have dissension in the community. 15 This is true many times in getting people to do God s work. The noblemen of Tekoa might have suffered from this inertia. Why were they not involved? - Too comfortable - Too fearful - Too busy - Too indifferent - Too costly Instead of being discouraged or dismayed, the common people were moved to the greater zeal by the defection of their natural leaders. They took on and accomplished a double task, repairing a second portion of the wall (ver. 27) after having finished their first. 10 The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Ne 3:27). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 11 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 187). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 12 Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 27). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. 13 Ibid. p Ibid. 15 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 187). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 5

6 4. Cooperating with Different Interest Groups 6 The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. 7 Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates. Jeshanah gate is often understood as the Old Gate (modern Damascus Gate) or the Mishneh Gate, opening into the second (mišneh) district of Jerusalem on the western hill (2 Kgs 22:14; Zeph 1:10). It was near the northwest corner of the walled city. 16 Gibeon (modern El-Jib) was about six miles northwest of Jerusalem. Originally a Canaanite city that tricked Joshua into an alliance (Josh 9 11), it was made a levitical city in Benjamin (Josh 18:25; 21:17). Mizpah (modern Tell en-nasbeh) was located in the territory of Benjamin (Josh 18:26) about seven and a half miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was fortified by King Asa (1 Kgs 15:22), and Gedaliah governed there after the fall of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 25:23). Mizpah probably was the governor of Trans-Euphrates residence when he visited the province. 17 The inhabitants were set to repair the middle part of the north wall. 18 Unlike the noblemen of Tekoa, who did not participate, these men, even though they were under the authority of the Governor, joined in the rebuilding. 8 Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Guilds such as goldsmiths and perfume-makers were well known since ancient times. These social organizations have included many other guilds such as potters and bakers, who had contributed to the building project by working at their trade Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. 10 Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him. 11 Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters. District of Jerusalem refers to the territory outside Jerusalem and was divided into two portions, under two princes or rulers, Rephaiah and Shallum. 20 It refers to the countryside near a town or city. The province of Judah was subdivided into smaller administrative areas. 57 The Persians often left the administration of these units in the hands of the local people. Repaired another section (v 11) can also be translated repaired a second section, meaning that after completing one section, they went on to work on another. A number of men and groups were also doing the same. The ovens in v 11 (12: 38) would have been either 16 Ibid p Ibid p Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 27). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. 19 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 188). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 20 Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 28). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 6

7 for baking bread or for firing pottery. 21 If Shallum had no sons, his daughters would have inherited his property (Num 27:1 11). This mention of women participating in the reconstruction again demonstrated the extent of Nehemiah s support and his mobilization of the people. 22 Whatever their background, the involvement of rulers (cf. vv ) along with priests, merchants, and people from outlying towns showed an amazing cooperative spirit as well as Nehemiah s management skill The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. They also repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate. The Valley Gate was situated in the Western or South-Western Wall, opening towards the valley of Hinnom. It was one of those, which Uzziah fortified (2 Chron. 26:9). Zanoah was about thirteen miles southwest of Jerusalem. The one thousand cubit (about ¼ mile the entire circuit was about 4 miles) was a long sector, which may indicate much of the old wall at that point was still in good condition. The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. (3: 14) The Dung Gate was the gate outside of which lay the piles of the sweepings and offscourings of the streets ( Stanley, l. s. c.); situated towards the middle of the southern wall. Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem or headman of the region within which Beth-haccerem, was situated, undertook the repair of the Dung Gate. This was a capital of a district of Judah, in the neighborhood of Tekoah (Jer. 6:1). 24 This would be modern day Ramat Rahel, three miles south of Jerusalem near Bethlehem, about five miles west of Jerusalem at Ein Karim, The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, [d] by the King s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David (3: 15) The Fountain Gate : A gate near the pool of Siloam (which, though bearing that name in Neh 3:15, seems to be here called the king s pool ) also known as gate between two walls of 2 Kings 25:4. Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah : This district was distinct from the town and had its own ruler (see v. 19 and comments at 3:9). Shallun and his team did extensive work on the gate: rebuilding, reroofing, and rebuilding the doors with bolts. The Pool of Siloam was designed to protect those who at a time of siege frequented 21 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, pp ). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 22 Ibid p Ibid-p Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 28). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 7

8 this fountain. The pool must always have been outside of the main wall of the city. It furnished water to the royal garden, which was at the junction of the Kidron and Hinnom valleys (2 Kings 25: 4). The steps going down from the city of David may well be the flight of stone steps cut in the rock, which could still be seen on the western flank of Ophel, leading from the valley of the Tyropœon in the direction of the temple. 25 The City of David refers to the eastern hill, the original City of David, which was a small area south of the temple. 26 D. Repairing the Eastern Wall (3: 16 30) The style of this section of the text is somewhat different from vv The most evident difference is that the landmarks are now primarily houses and other buildings instead of gates. The wall on the east side of the city did not follow the old wall but was built farther up on the crest of the hill Leveraging Key Leaders 16 Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes. Beth Zur was a town some thirteen miles south of Jerusalem and marked the southern limits of the province of Judah. This Nehemiah was different Nehemiah from the one we had been following. The artificial pool might be the same as the King s Pool of 2:14. Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. 18 Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah (3: 17, 18). Hashabiah was a Levite who was the ruler of his territory. The high priest s house was mentioned in v. 20. On one side of the house the Levites built the wall (vv ), and the priests built on the other side (vv ). In Neh 10: 1 8, Baruch (3: 20) and Meremoth (3:21) were listed among the priests. The district within which Keilah (modern day Kila), 12 miles S.S.W. of Jerusalem, was divided into two parts, one of which was under Hashabiah and the other under Bavai (ver. 18). Both took part in the work of restoration, and the two parties were assigned 25 Ibid. 26 Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 189). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 27 Ibid-p Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 8

9 adjacent portions of the wall Applauding those who have gone the extra miles There were groups who went beyond themselves, building more than one section: Ezer (v 19), Baruch (v 20), Meremoth (v 21), Binnui (v 24), Tekoa (v 27) & Hananiah/Hanun (v 30). Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle of the wall. 20 Ezer was the ruler of the city of Mizpah as opposed to the other Mizpah, which was in the countryside (v. 15). He went beyond one section. Ascent to the armory as far as the angels of the wall is literally, the ascent to the armory of the corner. ). There were probably several armories in Jerusalem (see Isa. 22:8). This one was called the armory of the corner, being situated at the northwestern angle of the special wall of the city of David. The ascent was either by steps, or by a steep pathway, from the Tyropœon valley. 29 Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest (Neh 3: 19, 20) Nehemiah specially commended Baruch (whose name meant blessed ) for his zeal (v. 20). He rapidly accomplished the task first set him (the mention of which must have accidentally fallen out) and now undertook a second piece, which extended from the northwestern angle of the inner wall to the door of the high priest s house. It would seem that this door was in the wall, upon which the house must have abutted (v 21) Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib s house to the end of it. (Neh 3: 21) Meremoth s first piece was mentioned in ver. 4. The second piece could not have been very long, since it only extended along a portion of the high priest s house Aligning Personal Interests with Community Interests Priests 22 The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region. 23 Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house. 28 Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Nehemiah (p. 29). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. 29 Ibid. 30 Ibid. 31 Ibid. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 9

10 The priests who had lands in the Jordan valley were so involved. The surrounding region (v. 22) refers to the rural area around Jerusalem. 24 Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah s house to the angle and the corner, Binnui, a name was not previously mentioned, was a Levite (Neh 10: 9), a member of the important Levitical family of Henadad, mentioned in Ezra 3:9. 32 the angle and the corner : It went as far as the north-east angle of the special wall of the city of David, which adjoined the main wall of Jerusalem. A tower here stood out (ver. 25), and the wall turned at a right angle, both northward and southward and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. the tower projecting from the upper palace The king s house of this place could be nothing but the old palace of David, which was in this quarter, while Solomon s was on the opposite, or western hill. This palace, like Solomon s (Jer. 32:2), would naturally have its prison. From this prison, the prison gate of Neh 12:39 took its name. 34 The court of the guard (v. 25) is mentioned in Jer 32:2. The hill of Ophel was part of the eastern ridge between the City of David and the temple area (2 Chr 27: 3; 33: 14). Temple Servants 26 Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. The temple servants repaired not their own homes (the Temple) but a place opposite the Water Gate and the projecting tower. Opposite the Water Gate refers to a turn in the wall, which was opposite the Water Gate. However, if the new wall was farther up the slope than the old wall, then opposite the gate may simply mean up the hill from that gate The Water Gate led from the palace-temple complex to the Gibon Spring (cf. 8:1, 3, 16; 12:37). This gate carried off the superfluous water from the temple reservoirs to the great tower. It stood at the southeastern angle of the great platform on which the temple was built. 35 Hill of Ophel was the long, narrowish, rounded ridge which intervenes between the central valley of Jerusalem (the Tyropœon) and the Kidron, or Valley of Jehoshaphat (Grove). The temple servants, who had their dwellings on this spur, were set to fortify a portion of the eastern circuit, but apparently restored not so much their own wall as that which lay north of it, at the edge of the present Haram area. 32 Ibid. 33 Ibid. 34 Ibid. 35 Ibid. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 10

11 Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel. (Neh 3: 27) The Tekoites repaired another piece (3: 5). Their second piece appeared to have extended from the great tower to the wall built by Shallum on the western side of the ridge, which reached as far as the pool of Siloam (ver. 15). This was called the wall of Ophel. 36 Priests 28 Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. Above the horse gate : This was a gate in the eastern wall (Jer. 31:40) through which horses could enter the city. It was probably next to the old palace, being at or near the turning of the wall mentioned (Neh 3: 24, 25). Guards 29 Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. Shemaiah the son of Shekaniah was the descendant of David mentioned in 1 Chron. 3:22. He must have been an old man, as his son, Hattush, had returned to Jerusalem with Ezra (Ezra 8:2, 3). Yet, he still took part in the work. That he was keeper of the east gate did not militate against this hypothesis, for that post was an honorable one. It was not supposed that all the descendants of David were in flourishing circumstances. The East Gate in v. 29 was related to the east gate of the LORD S house in Eze 10:19 (cf. also 11:1; 40:6, 10). It was thought to have been where the Golden Gate later stood. Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters. (3: 30) Next to him : The traditional text gives after me. This him referred to Nehemiah, who assigned himself a certain portion of the wall and repaired it. Because of his modesty, he suppressed his own name. But, as general superintendent of the whole construction (Neh 4: 13 23), he was part of the team and did not assign himself any special work. Another section : A Hanun has been mentioned (ver. 13) among the leaders of the working parties and also a Hananiah (ver. 8). But they were not coupled together. It was not improbable that both had joined forces to assist in another section of the wall. Or we have here another instance of the incompleteness of our present text of this chapter (see 36 Ibid. Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 11

12 the comment on ver. 11). There were chambers or rooms in the temple construction as indicated by Ezra 10:6 and Neh 12:44. Goldsmiths & Merchants 31 Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner 32 and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs Malkijah the goldsmith s son repaired the house. The exact position cannot be fixed. Inspection gate (sometimes translated Muster Gate or Watch Gate. ) must have been situated in the east wall, a little to the south of the sheep gate. It might have been a designated point for assembly and review for the temple or palace guard. Room above the corner was probably a flight of steps or the word translated going up may mean an upper chamber (a chamber situated over the gate). The sheep gate (cf 3: 1): With the mention of this gate, the circuit with completed and the point reached from which the commencement was made. The goldsmiths and the merchants were required to repair the piece of wall immediately to the south of the sheep gate, for which no individual had volunteered. Probably they had houses in the neighborhood. They consented; and thus the entire wall was taken in hand, and the great work, which Nehemiah had conceived in his heart while still in Susa, was inaugurated. 37 Even the people from the villages who lived a distance from Jerusalem also helped. They felt part of the community, even though they personally received fewer direct benefits. McConville suggests that their co-operation on the walls is one of the Old Testament s finest pictures of its ideal of Israelite brotherhood (cf. John 17:21 23; 1 Thess 1:7 8; 2 Cor 8:3 5; 9:1 2). Even their enemies were amazed at the results (notice the same in Acts 2:43 47; 4:32). 37 Ibid., Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 12

13 E. CONCLUSION: PAYING THE PRICE TO GET THE PRIZE F. DISCUSSION What is keeping me from sharing my resources to rebuild lives? What price am I willing to pay to get the prize? Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 13

14 Nehemiah Session 4 / Pg 14