NEHEMIAH was a Jewish captive, leading a comfortable life and was engaged in a respectable and trustworthy job as the cup bearer (1:11) in the Susan palace of King Artaxerxes of Persia.(1:1; 2:1) In the 20th year of the rule of the King( 445 BC), one Hanani who was in Jerusalem reached Susa.

Nehemiah’s concern.
He enquired to him about the condition of the Jews in Jerusalem and about the city.( God’s people and God’s city.)

Those who survived the exiles…are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire” (1:3)

Nehemiah’s response and prayer.
….I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed…(1:4)

King gave him permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He was appointed as Governer,( 5:14), with all the authority, security (2:9) and help from the King.

After reaching Jerusalem, Nehemiah went around the city in the night to understand the actual situation by himself.(2:12). Afterwards he challenged the people “You see the trouble we are in; Jerusalem lies in ruins, and it’s gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.”(2:17).
The city, walls and gates were destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonian in 586 BC.( 2 Chronicles.36:15-20) There were efforts to rebuild it later. The people were reconciled to this sad state of affairs. It took an outsider to asses the situation and to challenge them.

People took up the challenge. “Let us start rebuilding…”(2:18).

People participation in the rebuilding.

Everybody came forward and played their role. High priests and priests(3:1) Goldsmiths, perfume-makers (3:8), ladies (3:12), rulers(3:14), levites (3:17), temple servants (3:26) gaurds (3:29), merchants (3:32). Even Nehemiah, the Governer himself was doing work.(4:28).

Oppositions and problems.
There was continuous opposition under the leadership of Sanbellet and Tobiah..(2:10; 4:1-4; 6:1-14…) There were lots of internal problems, and opposition from some Jewish people also.(6:17-19) Nehemiah handled everything prayerfully.

Nehemiah was an exemplary leader. All the Governors before him used to use the position for personal gains, comforts and for acquiring property.(5:14-19). But Nehemiah and friends were different. “We did not acquire any land”(5:16)

The wall was destroyed for 141 years.(586- 445 BC) The rebuilding took only 52 days.(6:15)What a big task, completed in just 52 days, with the concern, prayer and exemplary leadership of one person.

What is the spiritual condition of the Church today? Are we concerned about it? How is our prayer about it? What are we doing about it?

What is our GOD given task today in building His Kingdom?
“Go and make disciples of all nations”.( Mathew.28:19)
“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”(Mark.16:15).
Like Nehemiah did, how can we challenge and involve everybody in world evangelisation?
LET US BE A NEHEMIAH TODAY.

Rev.C.V.Abraham.