The Builders Anointing

Nehemiah was anointed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and worked with the people to complete this assignment. Despite the walls being in disrepair, many of the people would have seen it, but did not have the wisdom or tenacity to get the work done. Many people would have given up, if faced with the resistance and intimidation that Nehemiah did. “But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry” (Nehemiah 4:7). Nehemiah withstood taunting, threats and plots to harm him during the rebuilding. At one point, he had to station men at the wall with their tools and weapons to protect them against the enemy.

Zerubabel was anointed to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem. He also experienced resistance and adversaries intimidated the people and wrote to the king, who ordered the work to cease. After the King died, the work continued with ongoing opposition. “At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure”” (Ezra 5:3)? Zerubbabel and the elders continued the work of rebuilding, despite the Governor sending letters to the king to try to stop the work. The temple was completed and dedicated so that the people could return to worship.

There are other bible characters who God appointed to build, such as Noah, who built the ark. His mission would have seemed impossible and possibly ridiculous, since he built it on dry land. Nevertheless, he followed God’s specification, completed the work and saved his family and creation. Solomon was instructed by God built the original temple in Jerusalem. His father had the desire to build the temple, but God instructed David to leave that task for his son. “He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13). The building in Jerusalem always happened during seasons of rest from warfare and return from captivity.

We need seasons of rest to rebuild, as it is difficult to build during seasons of intense warfare. We need direction from God and instructions concerning building. Not everyone is anointed to build, as God would not permit David to build him a temple. God however appointed Solomon to build him a temple of worship. What Nehemiah and Zerubbabel had in common was tenacity and resilience. They had to overcome great opposition and patiently endured in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the temple. God also provided resources for building. He gave Solomon great wealth and caused Nehemiah to find favour with the King, who gave him the resources to build the wall. Zerubbabel also found favour with Cyrus and he gave him the resources the build the temple.

A.P.-Y.

Published
March 7, 2023