“Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. Next to them the repairs were done by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River. After him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, the goldsmith, made repairs, and next to him Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.” Nehemiah 3:6-8 (HCSB)
How do you pronounce those names? Can’t I just skip to the good stuff?
I must admit, there are many times that I do. But I asked myself another question as I read over this: “What does this tell me about my God?” And then those names take a whole new meaning.
1. The men’s work pleased God. Each of these men worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Side by side they worked together. Unity pleases God, and it accomplished the work He has called us to do.
2. God cared about each man. These names were not written down and kept safe out of coincidence. Each name was diligently recorded by a man and God saw it fit to keep their names in His Word. How incredible is it that there are human names written in God’s Love Note to us?
3. They left a legacy. These men, and their legacy, were written down and shared. Not only were they rewarded for their work by being obedient and storing up treasures in heaven, but they were also rewarded on earth. There are not many people outside the written pages of the Bible who can say their name has been recorded for several centuries.
Now, whenever I read over names and generations in the Bible I am left to ponder.
What can I do that will please God today? How does He show me He loves me? What kind of a legacy will I leave for my family generations down the road?