Nehemiah

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19

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The book starts in the royal court of Persia with a Jewish attendant of the king named Nehemiah. His brother Hanani returns from Judea and reports that Jerusalem still lies in ruins, many decades after its destruction by the Babylonians. Devastated by the news, Nehemiah fasts and prays. The king observes his sadness and Nehemiah explains the situation to the king, obtaining permission to go to Jerusalem to act as governor of Judea. Upon arrival, Nehemiah comes to terms with the monumental task that lies before him. The city was indeed in absolute ruin. The Jewish community was surrounded by groups that were not interested in the Jews rebuilding their capital and many Jews had assimilated themselves into these pagan communities. Nehemiah must have been a man of incredible fortitude and faith, for in a matter of months the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt, the city is repopulated, the Law of Moses is preached to the people, and strong steps are taken to purge the Jewish community of pagan influences.

Nehemiah is an important historical document detailing events in and around Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The mid-fifth century B.C. is shortly before the 400 year period of prophetic silence that is finally broken by the birth of Jesus. Nehemiah also contains a powerful spiritual lesson of faith and action. The key phrase of the book is “let us arise and build”.

Nehemiah is one of many examples in the Old Testament of the Jewish people’s century’s long connection to Palestine. Despite numerous cycles of invasion and dispersion, the Jews find a way back to their land. Another theme running through the book so relevant for today is the seemingly tenuous hold the Jews have on the land. There have always been those in and around Palestine that seek to do harm to the Jews and drive them from their God-given inheritance.

Two books that cover similar time periods to Nehemiah are Ezra and Esther. According to one popular understanding, Ezra covers the 90 years before Nehemiah. Ezra is concerned with the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish queen Esther is also thought by many to be contemporary with Nehemiah and she may have been the queen or queen mother at this time (perhaps in her sixties). It is interesting to note that the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah take place before Nehemiah and the prophecy of Malachi comes after the time of Nehemiah.

1-2: Nehemiah is given permission to rebuild the walls and travels to Jerusalem.
3-6: The Jews overcome great challenges and rebuild the city walls in 52 days.
7: The gates are set up and administration of the cities defense is organized.
8-10: Ezra and Nehemiah organize a public reading of the Law of Moses. The leaders and common people commit to following its precepts.
11: Lots are cast to select 10% of the population to move within the city walls.
12: The priestly class is organized and assigned tasks.
13: Nehemiah purges pagan elements of the Jewish community.

Historians see a secular explanation for king Artaxerxes’ willingness to have Jerusalem rebuilt. The two major problems Persia faced in the west through the mid-fifth century B.C. was an Egyptian revolt and gathering strength of the Greek military throughout the Mediterranean. It would have made it advantageous to fortify Jerusalem strategically located close to trading routes passing along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.

Nehemiah is a story of faith in action. It is an inspirational narrative that teaches that anything is possible when one is aligned with God’s will and is driven by faith. Rebuilding an entire city wall in 52 days would be a tall order even today. Using the technology that was available to Nehemiah, it would seem unattainable. In life it is important to remember the words of Jesus: “with man it is impossible but not so with God, for with God all things are possible”.