Nehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra and served at the cupbearer to the King of Persia. He was the one who led the third and last wave of Israelites returning to Israel at the end of the Babylonian exile. While in Persia, he had heard that the exiles who had previously returned to Jerusalem were in distress. Although the temple had been rebuilt, there was no wall around the city, and the inhabitants were being harassed by surrounding people groups. Nehemiah challenged his countrymen to arise and begin rebuilding the walls of the city in spite of constant opposition, the task was completed in only 52 days, a feat that even the enemies of Israel attributed to God’s enabling. However, the task of reviving the spiritual fabric of the people within the city required years of encouragement from both Ezra and Nehemiah.
The book can be divided into two main parts: The reconstruction of the wall (chapters 1-7); and the restoration of the people (chapters 8-13). If you recall from last week’s blog, Ezra was the priest who was instrumental in bringing spiritual revival, while Nehemiah was the governor who organized the rebuilding of the wall as well as leading the people in moral reform. In short, they made a great ministry team to help bring the security and reforms needed for all of the exiles who had returned.
Malachi, the last of the Old Testaments prophets (whose prophetic book we will be looking at later) also prophesied during this time, and was instrumental in bringing additional moral and spiritual renewal. Interestingly, the Book of Nehemiah takes us to the end of the historical account in the Old Testament, about four hundred years before the birth of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. The nation’s indifference toward God described in both books remained a problem in Israel during the four hundred years before Christ when there was no prophet who spoke on behalf of God. The next prophet to arrive was John the Baptist, the one who paved the way for Jesus and His ministry.
It should be remembered that the focal point of the Old Testament is the covenant in which obedience to God would bring an abundance of blessings while disobedience would bring heartache and destruction. Upon completion of the wall around Jerusalem, the people reaffirmed their loyalty and obedience to the covenant. The key verse for us today comes from the 6th chapter,
“So, the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And it came about that when all of our enemies heard of it, and all of the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” (Neh. 6:15-16).
Just look at God’s involvement in the rebuilding effort – God raised up a great leader in Nehemiah; the Persian King showed mercy and allowed Nehemiah to return; with the encouragement of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Israelites devoted themselves to the work; God kept the enemies at bay while the work was progressing; and it was God who allowed the people to keep their focus in order to accomplish the task at hand. Indeed, without God’s provision from beginning to end, the work would not have been accomplished.
I’d like each of us to recognize this fact – When we are committed to living a life that is honoring to God; when we are engaged in serving others; and when we are focused on accomplishing all that God has called us to do in this life, God will arrange the circumstances and empower us to accomplish His will. The Apostle Paul shared this personal testimony,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
We need to realize that in our weakness, God provides His strength. That’s what the Israelites under the leadership of Nehemiah and the ministry of Ezra discovered. And you can too. Just take some time to rest in His provision for you and for all of your needs. And as you rest, realize that God is working behind the scenes to accomplish all that He desires to do through you. God bless you.
