Rebuild The Wall - The Story Of Nehemiah

Rebuild the wall – Men's Breakfast April 2024

Well, good morning, men. Some of you are wondering if this was the big announcement. No, it does not come at the end of this message. It is excellent for us at newlife to have over 100 men at our breakfasts. It has been good to see that we men, even though our schedules are hectic, can come together and sit under the word of God and do some community together. I love seeing today that we can do a new life together.

You know, Mthoko and I were speaking yesterday about men's breakfast, and we somehow connected the dots that he talked about the same person and story I am using today; it was the same passage and story he spoke about a year ago. It reminded me that the bible is not a storybook, but it is alive and that if we spend time in the word, the same story can have many different life applications to us as Godly men.

So, I want to look at Nehemiah and the wall rebuilding. Mthoko spoke about the sword and hammer, but I want to look at a different aspect. I wish to talk about the wall and how it still applies to us today. Let me first give you some context and background for those who do not know the story.

Around 445 BC, Nehemiah receives distressing news that the city of Jerusalem lies in devastation—its walls crumbled and gates destroyed by fire (Nehemiah 1:3). We read this in Nehemiah 1:3 (HCSB)

3 They said, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.”

This report fills him with deep sorrow, prompting a profound response. So Nehemiah feels sorrow but decides he cannot sit and do nothing about this. It was too big not to do something. Moved by the plight of his people, Nehemiah turns to God in fasting and prayer, seeking guidance and courage (Nehemiah 1:4). His prayers lay the foundation for what becomes a defining mission for him and all of Israel.

So Nehemiah had to make a courageous request to the King; he needed to go and ask the King to leave for Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:4-5 (HCSB) Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”

Now, you need to understand why this was a courageous request because, in this context, you will see that it took a lot of guts for him to do so. 1. Risk of Royal Displeasure

Nehemiah was serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, a position of significant trust and responsibility. The cupbearer served wine and was trusted to protect the king from poisoning, making him a close and trusted advisor. Nehemiah risked displeasing him by asking the king's permission to leave his service. Disfavor from the king could lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment or death.

2. Personal Sacrifice

Leaving a secure position at the palace for the ruins of Jerusalem meant a drastic change in Nehemiah's living conditions and personal safety. He was moving from a position of comfort and relative safety to one of hardship and potential danger, reflecting a significant personal sacrifice.

4. Logistical and Financial Support

Nehemiah’s courage is further highlighted by his request for letters to ensure safe passage through territories and for timber from the royal forest to use in the reconstruction (Nehemiah 2:7-8). Asking for these resources required him to justify his project and its benefits to Jerusalem and how it would not adversely affect the king's interests.

6. Facing Opposition

Nehemiah knew that the project would face opposition from local adversaries like Sanballat and Tobiah and potentially from others within the empire who might see the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls as a threat. Proceeding with full knowledge of these challenges required initial courage and ongoing resilience.

Therefore, Nehemiah’s request to leave his position and lead the effort in Jerusalem was not just a simple request for a leave of absence; it was a complex decision fraught with personal risk, political ramifications, and a test of his faith and leadership abilities. This bravery sets the tone for the entire book of Nehemiah, illustrating his dedication and the providence of God in the affairs of His people.

So now he is granted permission by the king, and he can go now. So off he went to rebuild the wall, and now he knew this was a daunting task. He knew it was not going to be an easy job to do, but he trusted God, and he went. He had to rebuild a wall 4km long and up to 12 meters high. No easy task. We read this in Nehemiah 2:18-20 (HCSB). I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged to do this good work. 19 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 I gave them this reply, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”