The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassanah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Urah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa... (Neh. 3:3-5 New International Version)

So what's the purpose of these verses? I know that to many people the books of the Old Testament could be boring and uninteresting to read. But all the books in the Bible were put there for a purpose - for an example for us to learn and follow.

In Nehemiah chapter 3 the people were rebuilding Jerusalem's wall which was destroyed. (Ch. 1:1-3). Everybody came together to complete this huge task. But the point I want to highlight is that the author took time to name each individual and who they were, on this project.

Meremoth son of Urah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section

Also notice it was mentioned who was next to him.

Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs.

Right through the chapter you will basically get the same story repeated but with different unpronounceable names. You could only picture what was happening here at this construction site. Everybody cooperating to get the task at hand completed. Friends, strangers, neighbours, even families got together to help build the wall.

Shallum son of Hollohesh, ruler of a half district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters. (Verse 12). Imagine that! even the girls got involved. The wall was actually completed in 52 days.

But why name them? Who were these people? What is the point in telling us exactly who were involved?

I believe God's purpose is to show us that when we do good and make valuable contributions to society we will be remembered by him. I am sure most of these people were just ordinary folks like you and me who decided to pitch in and help, to what to them must have been a very important task - the re-building of the wall.

Living a Christian life is not always easy. There will be times when we ‘fall' and when that happens we are branded as hypocrites by those who expect us to be perfect at all times. All they ever see are the wrongs or negatives that we do and totally ignore what good and positives we have done. But God is not like that. He carefully records all the good we have done in His Book of Life.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (Rev. 20.12)

The people in Nehemiah chapter 3 were probably not as great as Abraham or Moses, but they did something that God recognized them for and became a part of history. We too can become a part of history in some small way or other by playing a part in building God's Kingdom.

I came across this poem which I would like to share.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred; Forgive them ANYWAY.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind ANYWAY.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Be honest and frank ANYWAY.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build ANYWAY.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good ANYWAY.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you've got ANYWAY.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them ANYWAY.