Nehemiah 2:17
‘Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire. Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”’
Israel had been sent into exile because of their sin. God was now bringing them back. Nehemiah built the wall, Zerrubabel rebuilt the temple and Ezra restored the system of worship.
Nehemiah gave his report to the people along with his plan. His description is that they were a disgrace. My thought was that they were unsafe. While that’s true God want us to be honorable people. We aren’t to brag, but humbly walk in integrity with Him. He will bless our efforts and empower us to share His message. So, Israel is to do the same thing. God will bless them and His name will be exalted among the nations.
Nehemiah gives a pep talk. They are with him and agree to build the wall. Some of the things in our lives are individual. We are to kneel before God and obey Him and walk according to His ways. Some things are corporate and we are to do them together.
Our small group comes to mind as in things we are to do corporately. I can recall us discussing what to study. In doing so one of the members said something alarming. Another said that we as a group honor God’s Word as inerrant. The initial person pulled back and agreed. I’m not sure what she meant, but am glad that was clarified. That was a corporate issue.
This same small group does things together. I can recall one member excluding another. One stepped in and did a slight hand slap about that. This was the body of Christ healing itself.
Lord, thank You for the church and the work You do in it. Help us to be healthy members seeking to grow together in love