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Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate.. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. (Nehemiah 3:1-2) 

            Usually, when someone teaches about this section of Nehemiah, they focus on the notion that people were given responsibility to build the section of the wall that was most important to them, the section next to their homes or their places of employment. That's a good observation, but what possible expertise were Nehemiah (the cupbearer to the king) and Eliashib and his fellow priests likely to have in wall-building? Or the men of Jericho, or Zaccur, son of Imri? I don't know anything about building walls that were to be strong enough to keep enemies from invading. Maybe it's that easy. Maybe it's like laying cement, there's a form that one fills in, so  anyone who can carry rocks and dump them in the form can build the wall. Somehow, that doesn't seem likely. Perhaps the king had given Nehemiah some engineers who instructed the wall-builders. Perhaps God miraculously granted the knowledge. It wouldn't have been the first time.
            Years ago, Bill Cosby had a sketch about  God's calling Noah to build the ark. (Cosby's Noah Skit) It seems to me that it was longer, because I not only remember "What's an ark?" but I remember, or think Noah should have also asked, "What's rain?" and  "What's a flood?" Even without that, the point is made. God tends to call us to do things that require that we grow, learn, and step out of our comfort zone. Some people point out that God doesn't call the prepared, He prepares the called.
         Each one of us has been called. That's one of the things that happens when we're saved (OK, there's theological discussion that could be had here, but let's not lose track of the idea.) God has work for us to do for which we are likely to feel unprepared. That's OK. Feel awkward. That's OK, too. Then take a deep breath, say, "Right" and get on with doing what needs to be done.

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