| Did you ever see such a long list of unpronounceable names? Why are they given? There are 48 names or groups mentioned in this chapter, and it begins with the priests. They built the sheep gate area. That was where the lambs, were brought in for the sacrifices in the temple. They consecrated what they did to the Lord. What an example those priests gave to the rest of the people. Then there are men and women here whose names we don't know. In verse 3 for example the father is mentioned, but not the names of the sons who did the work. Isn't this true in the Lord's work? When we get home to glory we will find out the names of many, many people who have worked for Christ, but whose names we never knew. There is a long list of men from all kinds of backgrounds and various occupations. There were men who worked with jewels. There were chemists. There were women. There were the servants from the temple. You could call them deacons and deaconesses. Whatever their occupation they found opportunity in the work of God. There were those too who built the wall nearest their own homes (v.10). Many houses were actually built as part of the old walls and now the new wall would protect their homes. A I good question to stop and think about would be, 'What are we doing to protect our homes from the attack of the enemy?'. The family needs to have a much larger place in our priorities than most of us give to it. There were those who did not help in any way (v.5). Why? We aren't told, but obviously they didn't want to get involved. They came from the hills of Tekoa south of Jerusalem, the country where Amos the prophet came from. They were probably rich shepherds, so weren't interested in the city of Jerusalem except as a place to sell their sheep. They missed out on the work, but they missed out on the blessing too. A PRAYER FOR TODAY: 'Lord help me see what part is mine in your work today, and help me to do it.' | 
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