Nehemiah is the very last historical book in the Old Testament. Can you believe it? The book is full of rebuilding and rededication, but old habits must still be broken.
While serving as cupbearer to king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah hears of the deplorable state of Jerusalem, especially the wall, and he is greatly saddened. For the third time, someone prays a prayer of confession on behalf of the nation of Israel. King Artaxerxes gives Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the wall.
Once he returns, Nehemiah leads a combined effort to rebuild the wall. Every family works, building the sections in front of their own houses. Local bureaucrats were not happy that the Jews had permission to build and those plotted to attack the city. Just as Nehemiah encouraged the families to build the wall, he encouraged them to defend it. “Do not be afraid of them, remember the LORD...and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (4:14). From that moment, one hand did the work while the other held a weapon. The people were ready to defend their home.
This was not the only thing that kept Nehemiah busy. During a recent famine, people had borrowed money at high interest rates to buy food. Debt had driven some to sell their children. Nehemiah restored each family’s land and children and reminded them that they were not to lend each other money at interest. They elected him governor.
The wall around Jerusalem is completed in 52 days, in spite of red tape and a plot on Nehemiah’s life. He then records a census of those who have returned from exile.
After this, the priest Ezra stood in the city square and read from the Book of the Law. Every day for six hours they did this. For a eight days. And the people wept. (Can you blame them?) But they wept because they realized their sin. Ezra and Nehemiah told the people “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (8:10).
Once again, the people rehearse the history of the nation of Israel, contrasting their sin with the goodness of God. Then the leaders wrote a contract, saying that they would keep the covenant. It was signed by the priests and the leaders of the people.
The wall was dedicated with a musical ceremony--two choirs went up and stood all along the city wall and sang hymns and psalms. This must have been amazing to hear!
Nehemiah returned briefly to Susa, then returned to Jerusalem to find a corrupt official living in the temple court. He threw him out and had the Temple cleansed.
Nehemiah continued serving as governor and made sure that the Jews did not return to their sinful habits, especially doing business on the Sabbath and marrying foreign wives. Even after all of this they still need someone to make sure they obey.
As do we.
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