Nehemiah is a book whose major theme is revival, and it describes the schematics of a person who God instrumentally used to bring that about. Any person seriously seeking to bring revival in their context needs to read the truths of this book.

Part 3

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

Nehemiah 3:1-2

Up till now, the focal point of the book of Nehemiah has been Nehemiah. We have witnessed this revivalist weep, fast, and pray for his people. We have seen him garner a vision of God’s heart for his people. We have seen his passion burn to build Jerusalem again in order that it might be the glory for the nations.

And now, when he gathers people to build the wall, the entirety of chapter 3 of Nehemiah highlights an entire list of people that suddenly come on the scene. It is like reading the list of a long supporting cast for the main character. What does this tell us?

That Nehemiah was not alone in seeing revival. That revival is never an individual thing. That when God wants to release revival, he stirs up people around us who we may or may not know yet with a like vision. And like the different parts of the wall each were responsible for, each are responsible with their piece of bringing revival together.

As illustrated before, God brought Nehemiah to see the wall in the middle of the night that fueled his fire to work.

What can be said of Eliashib, or Hassenaah, or Meremoth, or Paseah? I could only imagine what each person’s story was that led them to be so motivated to build the wall again. If they had their own books, what would chapters 1-2 look like before we arrive at chapter 3 where they are all suddenly working together? Would we see dreams, visions, whispers in the night, or stirrings of the heart?

We cannot know for sure, but we know this–that God’s people suddenly had a mind and a heart to contend for revival. Revival is never done alone. Do not be surprised to find people around our contexts which are craving and longing for revival as well. That together see the barrenness in the land and long for God to move.

Find these people. They helped finished Nehemiah finish the book of Nehemiah. In other words, they were indispensable in bringing revival to God’s people.