Man Hours

Main Text: Nehemiah 3 Theme: God calls men to take leadership in rebuilding and restoring His church and community, just as men led the rebuilding of the walls in Nehemiah’s time.

1. Men Are Called to Lead in Rebuilding (Nehemiah 3:1-2)

1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.

2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

Key Point: The men in Nehemiah 3 are listed as primary workers in rebuilding the walls, taking responsibility for their community’s restoration.

Explanation: Nehemiah 3 highlights men from various backgrounds—priests, rulers, craftsmen—who stepped up to rebuild the wall. This was not a passive endeavor; it required leadership, unity, and commitment.

Application for the Black Church: Today, the Black church faces challenges such as declining male engagement, social injustice, and broken families. Men are called to lead by taking responsibility for rebuilding spiritual walls, starting with their homes and churches.

Supporting Scripture:

Ezekiel 22:30 – “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land...” Men are called to stand in the gap for their communities.

1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

2. Rebuilding Requires Unity and Cooperation (Nehemiah 3:3-5)

Key Point: In Nehemiah 3, men worked together, each taking responsibility for a section of the wall.

Explanation: No one could rebuild the wall alone. Each man and family took ownership of a specific portion. Some worked next to their homes, while others worked farther away. This teamwork shows the importance of unified leadership.

Application for the Black Church: Men must come together, setting aside differences (denominations, egos, or personal agendas) to work toward a common goal of spiritual and communal restoration.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 133:1 – “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”

3. Leadership Requires Humility and Servanthood (Nehemiah 3:12)

Key Point: Leadership isn’t about status; it’s about serving others and being willing to work, as seen in Shallum, a ruler, working alongside his daughters (Nehemiah 3:12).

Explanation: Leadership in the Black church should model Christ’s example of humility and service. The rebuilding process requires men to step forward—not as dictators, but as servant leaders who inspire and uplift others.

Application for the Black Church: Men must lead by example, being present in the community, serving faithfully, and involving their families in the work of restoration.

Supporting Scripture:

Matthew 23:11 – “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

John 13:14-15 – Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to model humble leadership.

4. Rebuilding Begins at Home (Nehemiah 3:28)

Key Point: In Nehemiah 3:28, many men repaired the wall near their own homes, emphasizing the importance of starting where they lived.

Explanation: The Black church has historically been a foundation for community, family, and faith. Men must first rebuild their own spiritual lives and families, creating a ripple effect in their communities.

Application for the Black Church: Men must prioritize their roles as spiritual leaders in their homes—teaching their children, supporting their spouses, and modeling Christ-like behavior. This foundation strengthens the church as a whole.

Supporting Scripture:

Joshua 24:15 – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

5. Rebuilding Requires Commitment and Perseverance (Nehemiah 4:6, 14)

Nehemiah 4:6

6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

7  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.

8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”

11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.”

12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”

13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ne 4:6.

Key Point: The work of rebuilding the wall was not easy; the workers faced opposition and fatigue but continued because of their faith in God’s mission.

Explanation: The men in Nehemiah’s time worked with tools in one hand and weapons in the other (Nehemiah 4:17), demonstrating perseverance and readiness to defend their work. Similarly, rebuilding the Black church requires a long-term commitment and faith, even amidst societal and spiritual challenges.

Application for the Black Church: Men must remain steadfast in their commitment to rebuilding their communities, discipling others, and fighting against spiritual and societal obstacles such as injustice, division, and apathy.

Supporting Scripture:

Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Conclusion and Call to Action

Nehemiah 3 shows the importance of men leading the charge in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, just as men are called to lead in rebuilding the modern Black church. This work involves:

Taking responsibility for leadership.

Working in unity with others.

Leading with humility and servanthood.

Rebuilding starting in the home.

Persevering through challenges.

Challenge to Men:

Reflect on where God is calling you to rebuild—your family, church, or community.

Work with others, serving with humility, and trusting in God’s timing and strength.

Commit to being a leader who builds for the next generation.

Key Verse for the Study: "Each one repaired the section of the wall opposite his house." – Nehemiah 3:28.

The restoration of the Black church and community begins when men rise up to rebuild their spiritual walls, just as the men of Nehemiah’s time rebuilt Jerusalem’s.