“Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner, and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard.”
Nehemiah 3:24-25a
Last time we looked at three builders and the rich goodness of their Hebrew names. In particular how to observe and choose rightly – but rest in Him. Today we see two new builders mentioned and have a need for the map again:
Do you see the red circle number 9 with a crown above it? That is the palace or house of the king mentioned in our verse today. If you scoot your eyes to the left to the number 8 you see the placement of Azariah’s house, which is where our first builder, Binnui, began. Our text says Binnui worked to the angle and the corner. Corner in Hebrew is pinnah – bulwark, tower, cornerstone.
If you haven’t had much construction experience in your life you may not have thought about how important a cornerstone can be in a building. The idea is based on the foundation of a masonry project. We know anything to do with a building’s foundation is significant. The portion that connects to the shifting earth and supports the rest of the structure is of vital importance.
The cornerstone, then, is the first stone set when building this foundation. And to which all other stones will be set in reference. It holds the building’s entire weight, yes, but also determines the structure’s position.
Indeed
Christ alone
Cornerstone
Any other reference point will skew the project. We need a Bulwark, a Strong Tower at the foundation of our faith and for the direction of our lives.
Next on the rebuilding scene is Palal who works the other side of the angle to the “tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard.” It is so great that the word upper in this verse is elyown meaning “high, uppermost, lofty, (as a title) Supreme.”
If you didn’t already know, One of God’s Hebrew names it is El Elyon: God Most High. Indeed, no other upper palace compares to His throne room. And yet the most spectacular truth is He chooses our hearts to be His ultimate temple as He brings the Kingdom among us.
One more fascinating Hebrew reference in this small verse. When describing Palal’s work it references the court of the guard. Guard or prison is translated from the word mattara – ward, prison, target, originating from natar – meaning angry or bear a grudge.
Oh you can easily see where this can take us, yes? What a prison we make for ourselves when we hold onto our anger like a shield. Rather than admit the hurt or fear behind it, we cling tightly to what feels just. Only to become a target for our enemy.
I won’t pretend to know all the details of your hurts. But whatever it is, friend, grieve it in His presence. For your own sake and the joy of your heart. Anything else will be shackles around your ankles, creating a prison for you wherever you go.
But what joy and liberation comes from forgiveness. Believers, let’s refuse to hold grudges. Let’s be quick to forgive so we don’t become a target to our enemy. Ponder again what all He has forgiven in your heart and ask Him to forgive others through you.
Because His fame and our freedom are worth it.