Meremoth- not living upto his name

 Meremoth- not living upto his name

Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of it.

Nehemiah 3:21💞

We leant that Bavvai@ Binnui, lived upto his name which means "building up". Today, let's learn about Meremoth, who did not have a very good name, but led a good life!

Meremoth means:

▪Bitterness

▪Haughty/lofty

▪Uncertain

But he did not have these traits, but led a life of truth and service!

❓Who is Meremoth?

Meremoth is the son of Uriah, a priest.

❌ NOT BITTER

Eliashib was found to have traits that even Nehemiah despised. Due to his actions, Nehemiah chased the high priest from his presence. All the priests were repairing in from of their own house.

🏠the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.

Neh 3:28🏠

But Meremoth, did repairs from the beginning till the end of High priest Eliashib’s house. He chose not to be bitter against Eliashib. He willingly repaired the High priest's house.

❌ NOT UNCERTAIN

🏆in the house of our God, we weighed out the silver and gold and the sacred articles into the hands of Meremoth son of Uriah, the priest.

Ezra 8:33🏆

Gold and silver are very valuable. It will be given into the hands of a person who is found true in the eyes of God. Meremoth was found to be true and all the gold, silver were given to him. He was not a wavering person but someone who could be counted upon.

❌ NOT LOFTY

Lofty means "thinking high of oneself". There are some members who repaired more than one section. It shows their zeal for the Lord. It shows their humility.

🔨Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section.

Nehemiah 3:4 🔨

He was not lofty to stop with one. He willingly yielded himself to repair Eliashib’s house too.

🔆 APPLICATION🔆

Meremoth's parents could have given him a negative name as the city was in ruins or due to other circumstances. But he chose not to live upto that name. The mother of Jabez gave birth to him in pain and gave him that name. But he chose not to live in pain. He looked upto the Lord and asked him to bless him.

People could have branded  us as "bitter, negative, proud, angry, arrogant, haughty". But let us choose not to live upto those labels. Let us look upto God and be transformed into His own image!

What's in a name?

 📍 What's in a name? 📍

Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah.

Nehemiah 3:18

Binnui, also known as Bavvai was the ruler of half district of Keilah. His name means, "building up"!

According to his name, he was involved in the re-building of the wall! He lived upto his name!

❓What work did he do?

1. He supervised the building of the house of the Lord

🏠The sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together in supervising those working on the house of God.

Ezra 3:9🏠

2. He built two sections in the wall.

Near the water gate (Nehemiah 3:18)

From Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner (Neh 3:24)

3. He was also one of the people who sealed the binding agreement.

Those who sealed it were:Binnui of the sons of Henadad

Nehemiah 10:1,9

He has been with Ezra and Nehemiah and helped in building the house of the Lord and the wall. He lived upto his name!

🔆 Application🔆

❓Are we named after the women of the Bible? Mary, Ruth, Esther, Hannah? Are we following their footsteps?

❓Are we named after Biblical traits? Grace, Mercy, Joy, Hope? Is that quality present in our life?

My name, Tina is a short form of Christina which means "follower of Christ"! Am I following Christ in everything I do? Do I live upto my name?

Let us all find out meanings of our names and find out if we are doing justice to the name 😊

Like-minded brothers & co/rulers

👬 Like-minded brothers & co/rulers 👬

After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

Nehemiah 3:17,18👬

Hashabiah and Bavai are rulers of Keilah. Hashabiah ruled one half while Bavai ruled the other half. Verse 18 calls them "brethren".

▪They were Levites.

▪They were co-rulers.

▪They were brothers.

What amazed me was the unity among them. They joined hands to build the wall. Let us take the previous verse.

📍After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur,

Nehemiah 3:16📍

Nehemiah, son of Azbuk was ruler of half-part of Bethzur. He was involved in the re-building. But the ruler of the other half is not mentioned.

Hashabiah and Bavai stand out. There was no enmity between them. They had an oneness of mind. It's amazing when brothers stand united, have oneness of mind and serve the Lord together. Aaron and Moses joined hands to lead the Israelites. Yes, they had problems, but they reconciled.

👬Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!👬

My father in law has five brothers. They join hands to conduct the asanam(loving feast) in their father's village every year. It is a reminder and inspiration for me when I see it.

🔆 Application 🔆

❓ How are we raising our children today?

🤝 Do we teach them the importance of oneness and unity?

They may have different goals, different tastes, different aims in life. But it is important to stay united and  have an oneness of mind. 👬

As mothers, may we build the bridge of love between them with prayer. A few days back, a devotion about Esau and Jacob came up during our family prayer. God helped me to teach the children about the importance of asking forgiveness and forgiving.

Let us teach them about Hashabiah & Bavai too, who served the Lord! May our children join hands and serve the Lord 🙌

THE GATE HAMMIPHKAD

THE GATE HAMMIPHKAD 💂‍♀

Nehemiah 3:31 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.

 The Miphkad Gate was located at the northeast corner of the city. The Hebrew word has a military connotation and refers to the mustering of the troops for numbering and inspection. When our Lord returns, He will gather His people together and review their works in preparation for giving out rewards for faithful service.

🔆For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:10-12🔆

Every believer has the opportunity to serve the Lord. When Jesus comes back He will review our lives and reward faithful service.  Although believers cannot lose their salvation they can lose their reward. This will result in grief and shame for them.

🔆Application🔆

Will you receive a reward for faithful service at Christ's judgment?

Or will you be ashamed?

EAST GATE

EAST GATE 🚪

Nehemiah 3:29 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 repairs.

The East Gate led directly to the temple and is probably what we know today as the Golden Gate. Tradition says that Jesus entered the temple on Palm Sunday through this gate. In the sixteenth century, the gate was sealed up with blocks of stone by the Turkish sultan, Sulayman the Magnificent. Jewish and Christian tradition both connect the Golden Gate with the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem.

So, we have every reason to associate this gate with the coming of the Lord. This gate reminds us that Jesus Christ will return soon. Therefore we must be ready at all times.

🔆1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.🔆

🔆 APPLICATION 🔆

👀 Are you watching the east gate?

👀 Are you looking for Christ's return?

💪 Are you ready or will you be caught unprepared?

✅ Whether you will you be confident or ashamed depends on your personal relationship with Christ?

✅ Are you continually abiding in Him?

HORSE GATE

🐎 THE HORSE GATE 🐎

Neh 3:28 Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house

The Horse Gate stood north of the Water Gate, adjacent to the temple area. God warned His people not to trust in horses and chariots, but Solomon imported them from Egypt and they became an important part of the nation’s defense system.

Priests, Sheep gate and the Horse gate:

🔆The priests repaired the Horse Gate as well as the Sheep Gate.

🔆Both were near the temple area.

🔆The priests offered the sacrifices and were their spiritual warriors through prayer.

The Horse Gate reminds us, there is warfare in the Christian life and that we must always be ready to fight.

🛡Ephesians 6:10-12 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, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.🛡

Christians are called to fight for their Lord against the adversary. We do this through

🙏PRAYER

📖THE WORD OF GOD

🛡THE ARMOR OF GOD

🛡 Application ⚔

Have you entered the horse gate?

Are you engaged in spiritual warfare?

Are you relying on the Lord in prayer?

Do you use the Word of God as your sword?

Do you take up the armor each day for protection?

*If you want to be victorious these things are vital*.🏆

Sisters, today let us analyze ourselves.

▪What do we do during trials? Take it to God or take it out on the person?

▪Do we use the word of God or our own words?

▪Are we relying on God or are we relying on our own strength?

He is there to fight our battles, when He fights, we get victory! May we always run to Him and not take things into our own hands! May we learn to walk through the Horse Gate!

WATER GATE

💦 THE WATER GATE 💦

Nehemiah 3:26 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.

The Water Gate led from the old City of David to the Gihon Spring, located adjacent to the Kidron Valley. If the Fountain Gate reminds us of the Spirit of God, the Water Gate reminds us of the Word of God.

In fact,it was at the Water Gate that Ezra and the priests conducted a great Bible conference and explained the Scriptures to the people.

💦📖He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand.

Nehemiah 8:3📖💦

That this gate is not said to have been repaired, as were the others, suggests that the Word of God stands forever and won't fail.

📖Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 📖

The Bible does not need to be repaired or improved, it's perfect. Therefore, we must earnestly study it and obey it fully.

APPLICATION 💦

❓Have you entered the water gate?

❓Do you read God's word each day?

❓Do you seek His will?

The fountain gate

 THE FOUNTAIN GATE 

Nehemiah 3:15 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.

The Fountain Gate was on the east wall, just north of the Dung Gate, in a very strategic location near the Pool of Siloam. The Gihon Spring that fed the water system was an important source of water in the city. In the Bible, water fountains are a picture of the Spirit.

💦John 7:37-39 If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive💦.

Only the Holy Spirit can empower the Christian life.

Jesus' command to come and drink is in the present tense.

❓What does that mean?

Christ doesn't want us to drink once and then leave. He wants us to continually drink from His unlimited source. For without Him we can do nothing

Paul gives a similar command:

🎶Ephesians 5:18-19: Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. 🎶

Again the command to be filled is in the present tense. The result is rivers of living water flowing from out of our hearts.

❓ How do you know when these rivers are flowing ?

🎤When you speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs

🎶When you sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord.

Spiritually speaking, we have moved from the Valley Gate, humility to the Dung Gate, cleansing to the Fountain Gate fullness of the Spirit.

Valley gate(humility)----> Dung gate(cleansing)-----> Fountain gate (fullness of Spirit).

APPLICATION⛲

❓ Have you come to the fountain gate?

❓ Are you continually drawing living water from Jesus Christ?

❓ Are you filled with His Holy Spirit?

❓ Do you have a song in your heart?

If you don't have a song in your heart I would suggest it is because you aren't drawing on Christ. I would suggest that you aren't spending time alone with Him and seeking Him through out the day.

DUNG GATE

🚪 THE DUNG GATE 🚪

Nehemiah 3:14 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.

Reason behind the name : 

The Dung Gate was located at the southernmost tip of the city, near the Pool of Siloam. It was a main exit to the Valley of Hinnom, where the city disposed of its garbage. The sanitary disposal of waste materials is essential to the health of a city. This gate did not have a beautiful name, but it did perform an important service!

It reminds us that, like the city, each of us individually must get rid of whatever defiles us, or it may destroy us.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God

Application 🔆

Every believer has been saved from their sin once and for all. But we still need daily cleansing from sin along the way. These sins don't affect our salvation, but they do affect our fellowship with God. They also affect our fellowship others.

❓Do you keep a short account of sin? ❓Do you seek the Lord's cleansing each day? You need to!  God has provided cleansing.

THE VALLEY GATE

🚪 Nehemiah 3:13 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🚪

The Valley Gate is where Nehemiah began his nocturnal investigation of the ruins of the city.

🐴 By night I went out through the Valley Gate

Nehemiah 2:13🐴

Reason behind name : 

As this gate led to the valley of Hinnom. So it is called the Valley Gate 

❓What is a valley?

A valley is a lower part in the land, between two higher parts which might be hills or mountains.

Every Christian needs a valley gate, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Yes, we want to be on top of the mountain! But God takes us through valleys too! Often God takes us from the mountain top experiences into deep valleys to teach us grace and humility. But we need to be afraid, for He is with us!

👣Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me

Psalms 23:4 👣

It is only as we yield to Christ and serve others that we can truly enter into the fullness of the life He has for us. Jesus Christ gave us the perfect example. He humbled Himself taking on the form of a servant, obedient to death. Therefore God has exalted Him. Everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of pride.

1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 

Application

Have you entered through the valley gate?

Every believer needs to continually humble themselves before God. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Do you humble yourself before God often?

Are you honest with Him?

Do you seek His grace for life's trials?

THE OLD GATE

THE OLD GATE

📖 Nehemiah 3:6 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.📖

Reason behind the name:

Studies show that "The Old gate" was probably located at the northwest corner of the city. It is also known as the Mishneh gate. In Nehemiah’s day, the northwest section of the city was the mishneh or new quarter; and this gate led into it. What a paradox: the old gate leads into the new quarter!

👣Thus says the Lord: 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👣

People are always looking for something new, when what is needed is the old ways that work. The illustration of walking is used in the Old and New Testaments to describe godly living.

What are the old paths?

✨Faith in God

✨Obedience to His Word

God has always asked men to walk by faith in Him. We read that Enoch and Noah walked with God. God was pleased with them because of their lifestyle, their walk of faith.

✨ For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7✨

We are called to go through the Old Gate. The Old Gate refers to the old paths. Today, I would like all of you to take a trip down memory lane and think of the old paths that we had taken. When we were saved, we had this fire burning inside of us! We had so much of zeal for the Lord. As days went by, the zeal has reduced.

❤Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

நீ ஆதியில் கொண்டிருந்த அன்பை விட்டாய் என்று உன்பேரில் எனக்குக் குறை உண்டு.

Revelation 2:4❤

Can you think of all the things you did in the beginning?

I used to read the Bible on my knees. The verses used to come to life and I could not stop reading the Bible.

Today, let us stop and go back in time. May we love God the way we loved Him in the beginning! Even more! But certainly not less! Come, let us go through the Old Gate!

Application

Have you entered in through the old gate?

Are you walking in the old paths? Are you obeying the timeless truths of God's Word?

Are faith and obedience hallmarks of your life?

Are you struggling through life or do you have rest in your soul?