DIVISION OF LABOR AND SETTING THE GATES This chapter is considered one of the most important in the Old Testament that helps to understand the topography of the city of Jerusalem. Covering the plan of rebuilding the wall, it starts by the Eastern Gate, then moving toward the West around the city. Nehemiah, seeing that not the entire wall was in a bad shape, and perceiving that the work has to be done as quickly as possible, he entrusted the work in every section of the wall to a specific group of workers. With few exceptions, the will to work was extremely strong. Nobody claimed that he has already finished what was sought from him, but all were ready to be engaged in a new part (4: 2; 5: 27). In Nehemiah’s diaries, there came a list, most probably quoted from the records of the temple, that describes the entire wall around Jerusalem, with signs of the main landmarks, like gates, towers, storehouses of weapons, etc……And many of the workers in the rebuilding of the wall were mentioned by name, by their family name, by their specific roles, or by their dwelling places. Some sections of the wall rebuilt under Nehemiah were recently discovered, with a thickness of 8 feet (Nehemiah 6: 15). These new excavations show that the city within the wall was smaller than what was previously thought; probably embracing a part of the city of David before the captivity, south-east of the hill looking over the Kedron Valley. And that the city surrounded by the wall rebuilt by Nehemiah, did not include the entire inhabitants of Jerusalem; for some inhabitants dwelt outside the rebuilt wall. It is noticed that Ezra was not mentioned as a leader of the work; for most probably he was working together with Eliashib the high priest (1); …………And that some of the workers came from outside Judah. https://coptic-treasures.com/ This chapter refers to 10 gates of the wall of Jerusalem, all of which refer to the Person of the Lord Christ who said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, ‘I am the door of the sheep….. I am the door; if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10: 7, 9). 1- The Sheep Gate (1): The Lord Christ came to be the Lamb of God to bears the sin of the world, and to offer Himself a sacrifice for the sake of His rational flock (Isaiah 53: 7; John 1: 29) 2- The Fish Gate: (3). According to the scholar Tertullian, the Lord Christ is the big fish; and we are the small fish that cannot live out of the blessings of the waters of baptism. By the big fish we became the fishers of men, and not of fish (Matthew 4: 19; Proverbs 11: 30; Daniel 12: 3). 3- The Old Gate: (6). If the Lord Christ has come in the fullness of time, yet He is the Eternal who loved us and planned for our salvation before the foundation of the world. He is the Old Gate, through whom, by faith our early fathers entered. We are committed to enter together with them, and to walk in their footsteps, as it came in the book of Jeremiah: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6: 16). 4- The Valley Gate (13): If the Lord Christ wants us to be solid and unshakable holy mountains; but by love, we descend with Him as though to the low valley to search for every soul with the spirit of humility, and to carry them with the spirit of love (Luke 14: 11; Philippians 2: 3, 4; 1 Peter 5: 5, 6). 5- The Refuse Gate (14): Through which we carry the unclean things and cast them out of the city; the way the Lord Christ carried our sins, was crucified outside the camp, to bring us forth into the heavenly city – the High Jerusalem. 6- The Fountain Gate (15): The open side of the Lord Christ became a spring or fountain that flows blood and water for our sanctification. He calls https://coptic-treasures.com/ us to receive in us the fountain of His Holy Spirit (John 7: 38, 39; Ephesians 5: 18). 7- The Water Gate (26): When Ezra read the book of law before the people, they assembled before the Water Gate (8: 1-9). For the Word of God gathers us together to enjoy the fountain of His Holy Spirit. 8- The Horse Gate (28): The priests repaired it; for having become priests for the God of His Father, (Revelation 1: 8), we are committed to become the warriors of Christ fighting as though with horses; to enjoy unceasing conquests (2 Timothy 2: 3; 4: 7; Ephesians 6: 11-18). 9- The East Gate (31, 32): The Savior was called “The East” (Malachi 4: 2); who ascended on the East, and so He will come. Our sight is perpetually directed toward His second coming, to enjoy the splendor of His glory.: 10- The Nethinim (the Miphcad) Gate (31-32): It was probably the gate where the elders used to sit for judgment; as a reference to the Lord Christ, by whom we judge everything, and not be judged. 1- The Sheep Gate 1 - 2 2- The Fish Gate 3 - 5 3- The Old Gate 6 - 12 4- The Valley Gate 13 5- The Refuse Gate 14 6- The Fountain Gate 15 - 25 7- The Water Gate 26 - 27 8- The Horse Gate 28 9- The East Gate 29 10-The Nethinim (or the Miphcad) Gate 31 – 32 THE SHEEP GATE: It starts by the Northern section (1-7), then the Western (8-13), then the Southern (14), and finally the Eastern (15-32) https://coptic-treasures.com/ The work was wisely organized, under the supervision of the chief priest Eliashib who dedicated the work, and in which all the inhabitants took part: the individuals, the houses, the craftsmen, those of the city, and those of the country, the priests, and the commons. The enthusiasm was great, and the fellowship was complete; with the exception of some opponents and adversaries. But Nehemiah convinced the high priest to start the work, and the leaders and people followed suit. The wall was divided into 42 sections, every group of people were given the responsibility to repair or to rebuild a specific section. In those who worked we notice: 1- The work started by the high priest and the priests. 2- Many of them came from cities outside Jerusalem to take part. 3- Judah was divided into five divisions, each of two sections. 4- People of all professions took part including goldsmiths, and even perfumers, and other traders 5- The Levites were among the workers 6- Women and children took part 7- Also did the musicians and the singers of the temple.. Mentioning the names of those who took part in rebuilding the wall of the city refers to the fact, that those who work to the account of the kingdom of God, leaning on the arm of God, and not caring for the opposition of the enemies, their names will be written in the book of life. “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel” (1) https://coptic-treasures.com/ It was not easy for Eliashib the high priest, who was like the governor of the city, to start the work, on account of the fact that his daughter was married to the grandson of Sanballat the leader of the opposition (Nehemiah 3: 28). The Lord Christ says, that man’s enemies may be found among his own household. Eliashib; a Hebrew name meaning (Whom God wants), was the son of Joiakim (12: 10). He also entered into a familial relationship with Tobiah the Emmonite; for whom he assigned a chamber in the temple (13: 5). They started by the Sheep gate, north of the temple, close to the north-east corner, through which the sacrifices offered to the temple entered. Let us start by worshipping God. The tower of the hundred; so called probably on account of that its height was 100 cubits, or was guarded by 100 men, or its staircase had 100 steps. The tower of Hananil; (Jeremiah 31; 38; Zechariah 14: 15). at the far north end of the city. Those two towers were bound to the stronghold of the temple, to confront any attack on the city from the North. The high priest and the priests did not just gave orders, but worked by their hands together with the people. Assigning the high priests and the priests to lead the work procession, and to start by building the Sheep Gate, was not given haphazardly, but through a spiritual wisdom. For, if Jerusalem with its wall refers to Jerusalem of the heart, namely to setting the kingdom of God in man; it would then be befitting of the priests to be only preoccupied with the spiritual building of the soul, to the account of the kingdom of Christ. As to the Sheep Gate, through which the offerings and the sacrifices entered, it refers to the care of the priests for the unique sacrifice of the cross, for the sake of their own salvation, and for that of the people. + All the priests at that time were committed by the law of God to offer first a sacrifice for their own sins, then offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. ….By the sacrifice of prayer, now, we perceive that we are not without sin; hence we say every day: “Forgive us our trespasses”; the same way the https://coptic-treasures.com/ priests in the old, through their commitment to offer animal sacrifice for their own sin, perceived that they were not without sin (Leviticus 9: 7). (St. Augustine) The priests perpetually start by building the Sheep Gate; for they should not be preoccupied with anything beside offering the Lord Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. + The perfect servant of Christ has nothing beside Christ. (St. Jerome) Beside ffering the Lamb of God to everyone, they desire to die with Christ, in love for their brethren. + Whoever has the spirit and thought of priesthood, beside being a good shepherd, he goes ahead to death for the sake of the herd of the Lord with a godly spirit; to be like Moses who confronted and broke the sting of death, to a great extent. Love is the support that justifies man, when he offers himself to death for the sake of his opponents. (St. Ambrose) https://coptic-treasures.com/ After setting the Sheep Gate, the high priests and the priests consecrated it; as it would be befitting of the gate through which the sacrifices offered to the Lord enter, to be consecrated, and not to be used for any other purpose. When the heart of the believer becomes the Sheep Gate, and opens wide by the Spirit of the Lord, to have the Lamb of God, the only begotten Son, enter to dwell in it together with His Holy Father; it would be unfitting to be used for any other purpose, as it became consecrated for the Lord. ……..About this the apostle Paul says: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in You? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3: 16-17).. “Next to Eliashi, the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri buil” (2) It is amazing that directly following the high priest were “the men of Jericho”. Many of those who were not inhabitants of Jerusalem came to partake of the work, not for their personal benefit, but for the common good; among whom were “the men of Jericho” (2), “the Tekoites” (5), “the men of Gibeon and of Mitzpah” (7), and “the inhabitants of Zanaoh” (13) It is befitting of the believer to work to the account of the whole congregation, and not to confine himself to his personal interests. The way the Lord Christ did not seek what is His, but what is for the salvation of the world, so it is befitting of the believer to acquire the true love, “For love …….. does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13: 5) https://coptic-treasures.com/ + If you are truly born by Christ; everyone born from Christ is your brother. If you love yourself more than you love your brother, this love would not be from Christ. (The spiritual elder) The words “next to him or to them” came often (verses 4, 5, 7-10, 12, 19). With the division of work, every family had a specific responsibility; yet everyone worked next to the other, to have close contact, support and encouragement. “Zaccur”; derived from the word Zechariah, a Levite who was among those who put their seal on the covenant (10: 12). 2- THE FISH GATE: “Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars” (3) The Fish Gate, located to the West, was known in the days of the first temple (Zephaniah 1: 10) to be one of the main entrances into Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33: 14); probably the way the “Ephraim Gate” led to the main way North of Jerusalem. It was called “the Fish Gate” on account of that the traders who brought fish from Tyre or from the Sea of Galilee, entered into Jerusalem through it. St Basil the Great calls on us to follow the lead of the migratory fish that endure traveling great distances for the sake of reproducing its race; while we, humans, are slothful to strive for the sake of enjoying the eternal glories. + Certain species of fish migrate when it is time to reproduce, as though moving by a collective decree, and by a specific call, to head from diverse https://coptic-treasures.com/ regions toward the Black Sea; they are seen pouring like a great flood through the Bosphorus strait toward the Black Sea. ……..Who moved them?..........Who is their king, and who are their leaders? ……..Where were the signs put in the public squares to proclaim the time of departure? …… It is the divine will that controls everything; and cares for every tiny creature. …………..Here the fish do not resist the assignment of God; while, we, humans do not keep His commandments. ……… Do not, therefore, ever despise the fish, because they are mute and irrational. But have fear of being less rational when you disobey your Creator. Look at the fish, that only lack the power to speak, how, keeping their race motivates them to go through such an exhaustible journey; ………how, although lacking perception, are motivated by a naturally deeply-created instinct to do what they have to do. As though they say to one another: ‘Come on, let us go to the Black Sea, where the water is sweeter and cooler than anywhere else, to raise our young’……. And once they consummate their mission, they reverse their course back to where they came from; for the Black Sea, relatively shallow, and with few shelters, is prone in winter, to violent tempests, that turn it upside down, and make its water turbid and cold……… After enjoying it in summer, the fish desert it, and hasten to return to the warmth of the deep waters, to relax and feed, away from the violent north wind. When I saw such an incredible scenery by my own eyes, I admired the whole wisdom of God; and contemplated in how, the irrational fish endure such great journeys, to seek their own benefit; while we, humans, live in slothfulness and laziness, ……….What have we to say? …..No one should make an excuse of ignorance; for we have a natural sense that instructs us to the fitting good, and make us dislike the harmful deeds. https://coptic-treasures.com/ (St. Basil the Great) “And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs” (4) “Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord” (5) Tekoa; was a little town 5 miles South of Bethlehem, famed of being the home of the prophet Amos (1: 1). The Tekoites were not mentioned in the list of those who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2: 21-35). “Those who did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord”; were the nobles of Tekoa (5), while the common people, when they finished the lot assigned to them, moved to help the others (27). That shows that not all the inhabitants of Judah unanimously consented to the project. ……….Even though they were of high social status, yet their refusal did not lessen the enthusiasm of Nehemiah, nor the spirit of serious work of the leaders and the common people. Nehemiah’s fiery spirit was a strong motive under all circumstances to many. 3- THE OLD GATE: “.Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars” (6) The old Gate; (Or Heshna Gate) leads to a village close to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 13: 19). It was so called, according to some, because it was the gate of the old city of Jerusalem “Salem”, built by Melchizedek. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor of the region beyond the River” (7) According to some, ‘Meronoth’, or the city of Meron, close to Bibeon, was one of the cities of Benjamin. Mizpah; a city of Benjamin, (Tellen-Nasbeh); together with Gibeon, were under the authority of the governor of the region beyond the Euphrates. The residence of the governor of the region beyond the river; Before the coming of Nehemiah, Jerusalem was governed by a deputy of the king of Persia (15), then was judged by rulers and judges chosen from among the Jews themselves. “ Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall” (8). Now he turns to the Western section of Jerusalem. The Jews in the old used to care for the presence among them of goldsmiths, perfumers (a kind of chemists), and traders; every category of which had their own union in the days of Nehemiah. The perfumers, beside trading in the different kinds of herbs and spices, were responsible of providing the temple’s needs of those materials, in particular the incense... Because the goldsmiths, the perfumers, and the traders, dwelt outside the walls of the city (31-32), according to some, building of the wall was against their own benefit; because it would hinder their easy access to and from the city of Jerusalem to do their business. Yet they contributed to the project, trusting that “the blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverb 10: 22).; and that what they might lose because of building the wall, God will https://coptic-treasures.com/ make up for them, by what they will certainly acquire of God’s pleasure, which surpass any material profit. + The author of this book did not care much to write about the things of this life, but most of his contemplations concerned things of heaven “for our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3: 20); saying: “For life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3: 3).our strife for the rewards are there, where life does not end by death, but will be revived more and more………….. It is true that those who follow this principle will have more honor than the crowned kings, on account of that they seek greater things. (St. John Chrysostom) The broad wall; was built by king Uzziah to confront the attacks of Joash, king of Samaria, in the eighth century B.C., and excavated in the year 1971 B.C. It so seems that the Chaldeans being unable to break it down, left it Intact. “And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs” (9) Rephaiah, was the ruler of half the central quarter, one of five quarters of Judah. “Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs” (10) It was a wise decision to let everyone work on building the part of the wall in front of his house, or his dwelling (10, 23, 28, 29, 30). For if everyone cared to clean before his own house, the whole street will be clean.; If everyone cared for https://coptic-treasures.com/ one poor person, there will be no one poor in the whole world; and if everyone cared for the salvation of one soul, no man will be lost. “Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath- Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens” (11). Hashub; is short of Hashbaiah, one of those who put their seal on the covenant (10: 23). The towers of ovens; mentioned only here, was located on the western wall, probably at the same location where Uzziah built the tower at the Corner Gate (2 Chronicles 26: 9). The ovens were usually built in the bakers’ market.(Jeremiah 27: 21). “And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs” (12) Hellohesh, an unbefitting name, refers to the (whispers), of the charmer to the cobra (Psalm 58: 5; Ecclesiastes 10: 11) Shallum’s daughters; most probably rich heiresses or widows, who contributed to the expenses of building the wall before their houses, or to the sustenance of the workers and their families. This was a unique mention of the contribution of women in the project of building the wall. The way the apostle Paul referred to ‘Euodia and Syntyche’ who strived together with him for the gospel (Philippians 4: 3). 4- THE VALLEY GATE: https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate” (13) Zanoah: Two cities were found with the same name in Judah (Joshua 15: 34, 56). The one mentioned here was 20 miles south-west of Jerusalem A thousand cubit; namely abour 1720 feet, an unusual length; probably because most of this section was less damaged. 5- THE REFUSE GATE: “Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars” (14) Here he talks about the southern section of the wall Rechab; the name of a father of a tribe of godly men, called the ‘Rechabites’ (Jeremiah 35). Beth Haccerem; was referred to in Jeremiah 6: 1, as a province in which a signal fire is set. 6- THE FOUNTAIN GATE: Here he starts to talk about the eastern section of the wall (15-32) “Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David” (15) https://coptic-treasures.com/ The Fountain Gate: facing the fountain of ‘En-Rogel’ Col-Hozeh; literally meaning (everyone is a seer), probably refers to a family that practiced divinity., The pool of Shelah ; or ‘the pool of Siloam’, or the ‘the pool of the messenger’(John 9: 7), to the South. The king’s garden; out of the wall at the southern side of the hill of Zion, between Teronion and Kedron, where the Kedron valley meets the Henom valley. “After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as the place in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty” (16) According to ‘Calmet’, the pool here is a dam (or a tank) built by Hezekiah when he was besieged in Jerusalem by Sennacherib (2 Chronicles 32: 4) Beth Zur; a main quarter , 20 miles south of Jerusalem. The house of the mighty; probably the dwelling place of David’s mighty men of valor, that later turned to a military camp or a storehouse for weapons.. “After him the Levites, under Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district” (17) Keilah; a city south-west of Jerusalem, 8 miles north-west of Hebron, close to the border of the Philistines; carried out a prominent role at the beginning of the history of David (1 Samuel 23: 1) “After him their brethren, under Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the other half of the district of Keilah, made repairs” (18) “And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the leader of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the buttress” (19) https://coptic-treasures.com/ That place was probably a tower at the corner of the wall, where weapons were stored to protect the city; to which the people resort in case of danger to be armed with weapons. “After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest” (20) Baruch; means (blessed). ….. Whoever enjoys the blessing of the Lord, will not confine himself within narrow limits, but will work with firmness and fiery zeal; and once he consummates what is assigned to him, will find pleasure in helping others. The children of God, featured by a wide heart and mature mind, would never cease working and helping one another. “After him Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib” (21) The dwelling place of the high priest and the priests at the eastern section of the city wall, at its connection with its section beyond the Kedron valley. “And after him the priests, the men of the plain, made repairs” (22) The plain; Some of the workers in the temple, specially the singers, used to dwell in the countryside around Jerusalem; and it so seems that some of the priests dwelt there together with them. “After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs by his house” (23) Hassshub; This name was also mentioned in verse 11. Two persons were probably called by this name; or one person, committed to work in two sections of the wall. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress, even as far as the corner” (24) “Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs” (25) The king’s upper house; probably the old house of David……… The tower mentioned here was a tower to guard the royal palace. 8- THE WATER TOWER: . “Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower” (26) In this work, not only the priests and the Levites worked, but were also joined by the common people who worked in the temple. Ophel; at the northern side of the hill south-east of Jerusalem, that formed the original city of David, south of the region of the temple (2 Chronicles 27: 3; 33: 14). The Water Tower; This was not a gate to the city, but a gate to the palace of the temple; so called because it led to the main source of water; namely ‘Gihon Spring’, embracing a wide region, where the law was read (8: 1, 16, 3; 12: 37).. “After them the Tekoites repaired another section, next to the great projecting tower, and as far as the wall of Ophel” (27) While the nobles of Tekoa refrained to stretch their hands to the work (5), the commons among them did a double work; for, after finishing their commitments, they sought more work to do. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 9- THE HORSE GATE: . “Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house” (28) The Horse Gate; The gate through which the horses go to drink, close to the temple 10-THE EAST GATE: “After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repair” (29) “After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling” (30) Hananiah was the sixth of Shelmaiah’s sons. Nothing is known about his five older brothers, and there is no mention that they partook of building the wall. …….. It is befitting of the believer to follow the lead of the serious workers, and never to become slothful with the excuse that those older than him do not work. Man’s true honor is not in the number of years of his age, nor in his position in the society, but rather in his faithfulness and his holy zeal in the Lord. 11- THE NETHINIM OR THE MIPHCAD GATE: “After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner” (31) Some goldsmiths dwelt east of the wall of the region of the temple, and some others dwelt in the western regions. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs” (32) This verse brings us forth to the north-eastern corner of Jerusalem, close to the Sheep Gate (1) It was not mentioned that Nehemiah took part in building the wall, not out of haughtiness, but because he preferred not to be confined to one place, but to continually move from one place to another to supervise the work, to encourage the workers, to mend the situation in any place, and to care for the guarding issue. Besides, we are sure that he, now and then stretched his hands to help any weak portion of the work.. ------------------------------ AN INSPIRATION FROM NEHEMIAH 3 YOU, O LORD, YOU WISH ALL TO BE LEADERS WHO WORK BY YOU + O, Amazing Leader; You wish all to be leaders who work by You; And that no one among them be slothful or lazy; You wish all to work with an exalted zeal, together with a heavenly wisdom. + You are the Leader of the procession of work; The priests work by You; They build the Sheep Gate; https://coptic-treasures.com/ Hiding in You, O the Lamb of God; No leader would not need Your salvation To be purified by Your blood, O Holy One; And, in his turn, to desire the purity of all hearts. + Under Your banner, they bear Your Spirit; all the leaders work, not for the sake of their own benefit; But for the edification of Your kingdom in every heart + Let the great, work together with the commons; Let the literate, work together with the illiterate; Let men, work together with women; Let the young men, work together with the young girls; Let all partake of the work, whatever be their capabilities and talents; For Your Holy Spirit grants all the spirit of wise leadership; + All would race with the spirit of zeal and love; Everyone would wish to support his brother. + What would the congregation do, except to have You transfigure in them; For You are the true Worker; You surround the congregation like a Wall to the spiritual Jerusalem; You are the true Gate; https://coptic-treasures.com/ Through whom they will all enter; In You they walk; And in You they reach.
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