Codes for Christian Living
Set Clear Objectives with Specific Tasks
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.
—NEHEMIAH 3:1–4
Nehemiah set clear objectives with specific tasks. Each worker knew exactly where he was to be along the wall, what was to be done, and what was expected of each of them. For example, we read, “Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel” (3:1). On and on throughout the verses, as they unfold before us, we find Nehemiah setting clear objectives with specific tasks and the people following through.
There were more than two miles of broken-down Wall to be repaired, and the task was too large for any one person. That is why Nehemiah divided the wall into forty segments and delegated the work to dozens of leaders along the wall. No wonder this incredible task was completed in record time.
There is a phrase we find recurring over and over through the verses of Nehemiah chapter three. Nineteen times in these thirty-two verses, we read “next to him” or “after him.” Over and over—next to him . . . next to them . . . after him . . . after him . . . after him. All along the wall “next” to each worker and “after” each worker was a fellow worker with his own specific task. These words form a striking picture of unity in the midst of diversity. Men were working next to one another and after one another, in one accord.
Perhaps you are in need of rebuilding something around your life. What is your objective? Write it out in a sentence, and then decide what tasks need to be done in order to see the objective accomplished. Is there a task you need to take on yourself? Are there others you need to delegate? Be willing to let go, just don’t let up.
Content drawn from The Nehemiah Code: It's Never Too Late for a New Beginning.