Rebuilding The Walls (Extended Edition)

This is a reworked version of Johnny Chase: Rebuilding the Walls.

The original is great, but I needed more length and a more direct application.

Thanks, Johnny for the inspiration.

Rebuilding the Walls (Extended edition)

Nehemiah 1:1-6:15

Summary: Working together to build the Kingdom of God

Let me share the story with you. In Duet 12:5 Moses told the Israelites:

“5 But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. …” (Deuteronomy 12:5)

Later, it was revealed that this place was Jerusalem. When Solomon built the temple, Jerusalem was at the height of its glory. Its fame was known, and God’s name was spread through out the nations. However God allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed because the Israelites were unfaithful to God. Now Jerusalem lay in ruins. The once thriving city was in shambles. The walls of the city were torn down. And that is where Nehemiah steps in.

“1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.” (Nehemiah 1)

Nehemiah was the cupbearer for Artaxerxes, the powerful King of Persia. The cupbearer was one of the most important assignments in the ancient world. I’ll tell you a little more about the responsibilities of a cup bearer a little later. Nehemiah was devastated when he heard the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and burned. He wept and mourned for Jerusalem. Something happened inside of him, he knew something had to be done. He knew that it was not God’s ultimate plan that Jerusalem be in ruins.

So, he got permission from Araxerxes to rebuild the walls of the devastated city. It was no small task. Nehemiah could not have done this himself and he didn’t attempt to. He rallied people from all walks of life and led them in accomplishing something great. The Bible tells us he gathered together, goldsmiths, perfume makers, rulers, priests, merchants; I believe all ages both male and female were doing their part.

When they get to the city, the wall was divided into sections and everyone took responsibility to fix the torn down wall. There was opposition and obstacles along the way as there always are. Like every good story there were bad guys. Their names were Sanballat and Tobiah. They plotted to stop the work but Nehemiah reminded the workers do not be afraid, but to remember the Lord.

“20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”” (Nehemiah 4:20)

So, They didn’t quit because of opposition. They worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other.

Nehemiah 6:15 tell us that the wall was done in 52 days! And then listen to what happened in verse 16.

“16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:16)