Case study: Renovation of the broken walls of Jerusalem led by Nehemiah. Neh 3:1-3&31-32; 4:6
Ancient cities were often fenced round with walls and gates, we know of Jerusalem, Jericho and others (Isa 62:6. Josh 6:20). After Jerusalem was attacked and the inhabitants were taken captive, the city was ravaged, her walls broken down and her gates burnt with fire. The news of these atrocities made Nehemiah unhappy and by divine favour, he got permission from the king of Babylon to embark on a renovation project (Neh1:1-3. Neh2:5-6).
Scriptures then recounts how the wall and gates were built in record time because every household decided to build the wall in front of their house as well as the gates they are responsible for (Neh3:1-3 & 31-32. Neh4:6).
Let us take some time to talk about the usefulness/importance of walls and gates in a building:
- Boundary
- Protection/ Security
- Control
In our world today, there are so many unsolicited and subtle vices from media, workplace, school, magazines, games easily creeping into homes, diluting our spiritual values and consecrations, breaking down the spiritual walls and burning down the gates of our family altars that are supposed to keep us unspotted from the world (Psalm82:5, Gal5:19-21). Therefore, it is important that we deliberately ensure the stability of our walls and keep our gates secured James1:27, Rom12:2, Prov 4:23. In order to keep our hearts and our homes from the influence of this corrupt world, we need to ensure spiritual walls and gates are put in place.
This does not happen by chance, it is a deliberate effort to ensure that the we are influencing the world spiritually whilst avoiding the corruption in the world. We should ensure that things don’t just happen spontaneously in our heart or homes without it being checked.
For instance, what music do we listen to?, what movies or TV programmes do we watch?, what video games do we play?, what books do we read?, what relationship do we keep? What habit do we encourage or condemn?
Do you need to put boundaries in place to disallow jealousy, selfishness and other loveless characters? For instance, when a platter of food is placed on the family table, discourage the habit of someone eating a lot without considering others.
Parents we need to know that our children observe a lot from us, and we should ensure that the things we advise them to do corresponds with the things they see us do.
It takes deliberate effort, no one builds a wall by chance or by mistake, it takes deliberate effort and planning. If we don’t put these checks in place, the devil can easily sow tares in the home while men are asleep. Matt13:24-26
Back to our story, everyone repaired the wall and the gate allocated to them and Jerusalem was fortified again in record time.
Activity 1: Discuss as a family areas that you think needs boundary, security and control in order to prevent corruption from the world. (If we don’t take action, any cracks will eventually lead to a wide gap and subsequent collapse of the wall).
Activity 2: Discuss steps that should be taken to ensure walls and gates in the identified areas without judging anyone.
The walls of Jerusalem was built in record time even in the midst of opposition because every family took responsibility for the wall and gate next to them and at the same time kept watch against intruders Neh4:7-9, 13, 16-17. If every Christian home does the same, taking conscious effort to influence people around them with the gospel (build), whilst keeping themselves unspotted from the worldly influence (armed watch) then the world can be effectively influenced to a great extent for the kingdom of our God.
But remember, it starts with fixing your wall and gate.
Reflection:
Have you identified the vices that are causing cracks in the walls of your home?
Have you identified gates that are wide open allowing anything and everything the world has to offer into your home?
What will happen if you don’t take action?
Family circle:
Take turns to pray for one another based on the areas that you have identified e.g pray against the spirit of quarrelling, impatience, unkindness, wrong choices, laziness etc.
# take responsibility!
Raising Godly Children 