I can hardly watch the show Extreme Home Makeover. By the end of each episode, I am a teary mess and it hardly seems worth it to put myself through that! But imagine if you were one of the remnant of Judah, living in this disgraceful state in Jerusalem and were now ready to begin building the wall. That would be so exciting...and I expect I would be a teary mess by the end of that work too!
Verses five through seven show us that many different leaders are often required to finish a big project. But we also learn that God's leaders are always willing to help with the work.
In verses eight through 12, we see a description of many different callings of people to do the work. We see goldsmiths and perfume makers working outside their normal callings to finish their sections. Some of the workers worked in their own front or back yards! And even some women got involved as they helped the men finish their assigned section of wall, proving that God's workers sometimes seem like unlikely choices.
Rulers worked alongside their followers in verses 13 through 16. It is often easier to lead when working with your people...and it is certainly easier to follow a leader who is willing to work.
As the work progresses through verses 17-21, we see that working together accomplishes more work than can be done alone.
And finally as the chapter ends in verses 22-32, the work comes to a close through this collaborative effort. The good thing about collaboration is that it helps us to honor all who contribute to the work.
It was a big job. They started out at the Sheep Gate and worked all the way back around to the same Sheep Gate, bringing the job full circle and to a close. It reminds me of the work that God often does in our own lives. He is always trying to restore, redeem, and bring us back full circle to the beginning. Our very own Extreme Makeover.
Where is God working to bring you full circle today?
- Holly Barrett
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