Nehemiah’s Sadness

Nehemiah was the cupbearer for King Ataxerxes of Persia. When it was reported to Nehemiah that the walls of Jerusalem were laid waste, he was saddened and wept. The King saw Nehemiah’s fallen countenance and asked what the problem was? Nehemiah said that he was sore afraid because the gates of Jerusalem were burned and the city destroyed. The King sent him back to his country with a blessing.

In secret, Nehemiah toured Jerusalem to see the distress the city was in. Without walls, the city laid in reproach. Without the walls, there was no protection. Without the walls boundary, the city was little more than a memory of a culture and country. The walls were little more than scattered debris, but Nehemiah began the gigantic task of restoring the gates and ramparts to keep enemies out and to protect those inside. He prayed that God would strengthen the workers’ hands to complete the undertaking.

When the would-be enemies laughed and derided Nehemiah, he said to them, “The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”

Different groups were assigned portions of the walls and certain gates to restore. As they worked the enemy mocked them and asked how you Jews will revive the stones from the rubbish which are burned saying that a fox would break it down. They earnestly worked until nearly half the wall was joined together. The enemy became very wroth as the breaches were repaired and conspired to fight against Jerusalem to hinder the progress.

Nehemiah set a watch both night and day. The enemies made plans to ambush workers and cause them to cease their labor, yet by keeping their swords and spears ready while they worked, they were able to continue. Half of the men worked while others held spears, and shields wearing chain link armor. It eventually became necessary for builders to have a sword girded to their sides as they worked. The area of the wall was great and separated. Nehemiah implemented trumpeters to summon the men to come and protect any areas of attack.

Even though enemies of Jerusalem tried to stop the Jews from reconstructing the walls by the ways of threats, trickery, and outright attacks the wall was finished and Nehemiah gave the glory to God.