The story of Nehemiah opens 14 years after Ezra arrived in Jerusalem. He was called by God to help protect the people from the pagan peoples of the land. He orchestrated the rebuilding of the walls and gates and helped the people restore their economic and social lives. Like Zerubbabel and Ezra, Nehemiah is also a type of the Holy Spirit.
Jerusalem in Distress
Nehemiah is H5166 in Strong’s Concordance – nekh-em-yaw’. It means the consolation of Yah, Jehovah comforts, The Lord shall comfort. Ezra was to help restore the spiritual life of the people, Nehemiah was to help the people to restore balance to their natural lives. God tells us that “His Kingdom come,His will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10. The two men worked together upon the foundation laid by Zerubbabel to restore Israel to God and make them a whole nation again.
Nehemiah 1:3, “And they said to me, ‘The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.’”
Nehemiah learns from his brother that the remnant in Jerusalem are enduring great distress and reproach from the pagan peoples of the land. The walls and gates of the city were in ruins leaving it and its people vulnerable in what was now a very hostile land.
In Nehemiah 1:4-11 we watch as he intercedes for the remnant in Jerusalem and those still in captivity. Just as Ezra did when he learned of Israel’s transgression. No doubt in his position as cupbearer to the King he heard of the situations in Jerusalem and of those people still left in captivity. He had the inside ear. He reminds God of His promises to the people if they would turn from their sins.
The King’s Favor
Nehemiah 2:4-6, “Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.”
The King shows favor to his servant and says, “What do you request?” Nehemiah, as a servant of God, seeks the Lords counsel before he speaks. When an opportunity like this comes your way, ALWAYS seek the Lords will first.
Nehemiah 2:7-8, “Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.”
Nehemiah has free rein to enter the territories and to secure resources. The wood needed for the building project from the King’s Forest. He also has a military escort for his protection and to ensure his reception.
Inspection of the Wall
Nehemiah 2:12-18. Nehemiah, rises one evening and decides to do some midnight reconnaissance of the walls. He chooses the Valley Gate to leave by which is furthest from the temple complex.
Nehemiah 2:13-14, “And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass.”
The Holy Spirit will start inspecting our lives at the most unassuming place. Nehemiah chose the Valley Gate near the Dung gate that leads to Gehenna. The ancient pagan ground that was a garbage dump. He’s starting where all the garbage is; the place where few go. That is where the enemy will come in.
Nehemiah 2:17-18, “Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.”
Holy Spirit will reveal to us the places in our lives that He needs to restore. Those that are most broken and exposed. We must cooperate with Him as he seeks to restore our broken defenses.
Let’s rise up and restore our broken walls and defenses. Let’s strengthen our hands for this good work.
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