The happiest people I know are Christians who are involved, working hard and are definitely a part of it. Some of the unhappiest people I know are on the sidelines taking potshots at those who are trying to do something. These people always know how things ‘should’ be done and seem to make their living just criticizing, condemning, and being negative about all that is happening.
We can’t even imagine the enthusiasm of the Jews as they followed the outstanding leadership of Nehemiah in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Ever since Nebuchadnezzar stormed the city, its great walls and gates had been broken and burned and lying in ruins. For those who loved the city it was a pathetic sight – a sorry state for such a privileged city. But now Nehemiah has a vision in his mind of restoring and rebuilding the walls of the great city – no small undertaking. The people enthusiastically responded to his vision. “Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” Nehemiah 2:18. And the mammoth rebuilding project began. Nehemiah 3 records the names of those who got involved and took responsibility for some aspect of the project.
Fathers, daughters and sons, priests, princes, merchants and goldsmiths – everyone worked side by side. They were united, committed and focused and things were booming! But the record shows there was one exception – Nehemiah 3:5: “And next unto them the Tekoites repaired: but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.” The reference to ‘their necks’ is probably imagery from a team of oxen with their necks in a yoke as they pulled and plowed together in the field. I wonder what the nobles’ problem was. Was the work too menial, too small, too insignificant for them – after all they were nobles!! Did they get over-looked for a supervisory role? Maybe they wanted a management position.
Lots of people want to be spiritual couch-potato consultants and evangelical armchair advisors but refuse to get their hands dirty. They sit in coffee shops and in kitchens or stand in parking lots with plenty of opinions and lots to say. e.g. “I don’t mean to be critical but did you notice….?” “I can’t believe they would be so foolish as to actually think….!” “If they had asked me, I would have said….” “Well, I heard the other day that….” “There is no way they should ever…”
Who is the loser? The nobles who refused to put their necks to the work of their Lord. The project went ahead without them. The job got done. Today there is a multi-faceted work going on for the Lord. It’s happening and it’s exciting. Are you a part of it or are you one of the nobles? I like how the Believer’s Bible Commentary pg.485 puts it: “God has given different work assignments to believers today. He has equipped us with various gifts and abilities appropriate to our calling, and He knows who is not really involved and who is doing double duty. “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” (1Cor.3:13)
“Lord preserve me today from the attitude of the nobles. Open my eyes and my heart to do whatever You want me to do today. I want to be a willing, enthusiastic and competent worker for Thee. Lord here’s my neck.“