No One Too Good

By Connie Arnold

Solomon’s temple presently exists as a glimmering memory. Its glory shining dimly through a dusty past. At Jerusalem’s overthrow, sacred altars were leveled, gold was stripped from furnishings, gold and silver utensils for the practice of worship taken, all valuables looted. But God now ordains a new day.

King Artaxerxes allows the captive Jews return to Jerusalem. Ezra is leading the way along with “everyone whose spirit God had stirred” (Ezra 1:5 KJV). When they reach Jerusalem, their first job is to build the altar and offer sacrifices on it. (Ezra:1-3 KJV). Those important to restoring the religious aspects that returned with Ezra are the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gate keepers, and the temple servants (Ezra 2:70 KJV). Ezra begins teaching the laws of Moses that had been abandoned as the exiles were scattered.

But upon receiving the news that the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates destroyed by fire, another exiled Jew, Nehemiah, goes into deep mourning, praying and fasting until he is moved to act. The solution seems to be a practical one: go to Jerusalem and rebuild. But it is not that easy. He is cupbearer to King Artaxerxes where he lives as a Hebrew exile in a nonbelieving country. His daily task is serving this foreign ruler who reigned after the overthrow of Babylon. But God’s hand is again at work.

The sacred and secular must come together to play out God’s restoration of Israel. Without a wall a city was open to bandits, gangs, and wild animals. Even in times of peace, raiding thieves abounded. The temple without walls is an open invitation for desecration.

Those Jews who return with Nehemiah are those who wanted to return to their homeland. The group consists of those with and without skills. Carpenters, masons, and artisans of all types are in great demand, but general laborers are just as needful. Included in the group are goldsmiths and perfumers. (Nehemiah 3:8 KJV). The goldsmiths did not despise the callouses that would hinder their nimble fingers. The perfumers would be needed to prepare sacred anointing oils and incense, but they did not consider the construction dust that would interfere and diminish their sense of smell. All had one purpose: to build the city walls. No one was too good to do what their hand found to do.

The king had approved this undertaking, providing freedom for the Jews from Babylon, letters of recommendation as well as allowing for materials. Not every surrounding city joins in the celebration. “But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and the gaps were beginning to be closed, they were very angry, and all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it,” (Nehemiah 4:7-8 KJV). The enemies said they will not see us coming and we will kill them and stop the work. (Nehemiah 4:11 KJV)

Work on the construction continues, half of the workers hold the spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Each of the builders has his sword strapped at his side while he works. When extra help is needed, a man standing by sounds the trumpet, signaling fighters to come help them. (Nehemiah 4:18 KJV).

We hear the call to come and worship. We hear the call to build the kingdom. These are very noble aspirations and callings. These ambitions should sail through with everyone’s applause. Accolades should be showered on our heads, and banners flying overhead should laud our efforts for good works.

Too often it is not like this. We, too, have our Sanballats and their comrades in opposition. So how do we prepare?

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” (Ephesians 6:11-12a KJV). Our armory is more than sufficient: truth buckled around our waist; breastplate of righteousness; feet fitted with the gospel of peace; shield of faith; helmet of salvation; sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Even if we are goldsmiths or perfumers, there is other work we can do.

No one too good.

___________________CSA