The Nobles of Tekoa

The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors. (Neh 3:5)

Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the people of Jerusalem repaired the city wall, which had lain in ruins for over a hundred and fifty years. It was a huge undertaking, but they completed it in only 52 days. This entire chapter of Nehemiah is devoted to recording all the people who helped, and what section they rebuilt. Goldsmiths, perfume-makers, merchants and Levites – they all helped build the wall. Well, almost everyone. In the whole chapter, only one group refused to help: the “nobles” of Tekoa. How foolish they must have looked! Tekoa wasn’t much of a town and, at this time, Judah wasn’t much of a country, but the proud “nobles” of Tekoa held themselves aloof. Was it that they considered manual labor to be beneath them, or could they not stand to take orders from someone else? Meanwhile, the men of Tekoa, perhaps embarrassed by the leading citizens of their town, actually repaired two sections of the wall (v27), the only group to do so.

Are there menial tasks that I would be unwilling to do for the sake of God’s Kingdom? Would I empty a bedpan or dig a ditch? I suppose I would try to weasel out by spiritualizing it. “Oh, that’s not my gift.” But Lord, I don’t want to be like the nobles of Tekoa. I am willing to do whatever needs to be done for your Kingdom. Convict me when foolish pride, or sheer laziness, causes me to shrink back from the task you have set before me. Amen.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Pro 13:4)

I am basically lazy. I know some diligent people, and I’m not one of them! You can have the best plans and lots of good intentions, but if you don’t put your shoulder to the wheel you will accomplish nothing. So what does it mean to be diligent? Every time I have read this verse I always think of lazy and diligent as polar opposites. But as I reflect on it now, I think the true opposite of “lazy” is “driven.” I know some driven people, too, and I can tell you they are not “fully satisfied.” The lazy person does nothing because he thinks someone else ought to do it. But the driven person thinks he has to do everything himself. He has forgotten the providence of God. Yes, God has given me a calling and I must be diligent to do all he has called me to do. But it is God who provides all my needs. It is God, and him alone, who fully satisfies. Lord, make me diligent to hear your will and obey, to faithfully obey your commands. Then I will trust in you to satisfy all my needs. Only you can fully satisfy. Amen.