nehemiah rebuilding the wall

Here you have this same enmity; when the enemies of God, ...heard this, it displeased them greatly that some one had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. They covenanted; they resolved that they would take the step of obedience. I would like to quickly describe these for your own edification, and we can draw the lesson from each at the same time. Implicitly, he was formulating a plan to remedy the situation in Jerusalem. In chapter 1 is Nehemiah's wonderful prayer as he confesses that the nation has forsaken God, and acknowledges the justice of God's dealing with them. So here is a man who, out of his concern, and after the confession of his heart, commits himself to a project. Ordinarily, though, a wall symbolizes strength and protection. In fact, the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther all come out of the same general period of Israel's history. Artaxerxes means "the great king" and Ahasuerus means "the venerable father." For a long, long time the only thing I knew about Nehemiah was that he was supposed to be the shortest man in the Bible -- through a wretched pun on his name, "knee-high-miah." Nehemiah asked some friends about Jerusalem. 2 The men of Jericho built next to Eliashib, and next to them Zaccur son of Imri built. 5 Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. You have to recognize the principle of the cross -- the fact that God will be moving in your life to utterly cancel out your own ego, your own plans, and your own self-interest. He turned around and went back across the room to where a tuning fork was hanging. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it. Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Subject to permissions policy, all rights reserved. ... One of the things this chapter reveals is that often the workers began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem outside their own home first. Immediately, Nehemiah prayed silently. Have you ever taken a good look at the ruins in your own life? Nehemiah told their enemies, “The God of heaven will give us success. You will never rebuild the walls of your life until you first weep over the ruins. (Nehemiah 8:5-6 RSV), And they read from the book, from the law of God, clearly; and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. The next chapters, four through six, cover the persecution that arose from building the city walls. They told him that the people who had survived being captives were suffering. (Nehemiah 13:8 RSV). To do what? That is what is so confusing. Comments: They finished the work. In an individual life, then, the rebuilding of the walls would be a picture of re-establishing the strength of that life. (Nehemiah 1:11b RSV). Then comes the building of the walls, as we will see in the book of Nehemiah. RayStedman.org/permissions. The cross must be at the beginning and the end of every life. That brings us around again in the last part of the chapter to the Sheep Gate, the gate of the cross. But God in grace frequently reaches down and gets some of those people and brings them out to rebuild the walls. The Fountain Gate is next. And the piano in the next room is out of tune." This gate needs to be rebuilt in many of us who fall under the pessimistic spirit of this age and are crushed by the hopelessness of our time. (Ephesians 6:12) This is the battle! He read the Book of Moses and wanted to make sure the people stayed faithful to God's ways. (John 4:14) It speaks of the Holy Spirit, which is the river of life in us -- the flowing of the Spirit of God in our lives, to enable us to obey his will and his word. The next necessary step in the program of reconstruction is courage. The walls of the city of Babylon, as recounted in the story of Daniel, were some 380 feet thick and over 100 feet high -- massive, tremendous walls. You must obey him whenever you hear and know what he wants. The people were still intermarrying with the forbidden races around them. In these three books we have the story of the way out of captivity, back to God. Nehemiah Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem There is a small book in the Bible called Nehemiah. The book of Ezra begins with the building of the temple. The wall was begun 3:1 The wall was at half height 4:6 The wall was finished except for the gates 6:1 The wall was done 6:15 The wall was dedicated 12:27. What did Nehemiah do? The old musician didn't say a word. Then he discovered yet another problem. Like Nehemiah, you have received word, in some form or other, of the desolation and ruin there. He went in and threw Tobiah's furniture out into the street. As we come to the close of this book we see that the walls of Jerusalem stand once again and God's testimony is re-established in this city. miʹah comes to Jerusalem, he tells the people about his plans. Now perhaps you feel that Nehemiah was too severe. Then comes the East Gate. miʹah and Ezʹra teach the people God’s law, and the people are happy. My Book of Bible Stories, Audio download options The cross is that instrument in God's program that puts the ego to death. They have become human derelicts, drifting up and down the streets of our large cities, absolutely hopeless and helpless. Have you ever stopped long enough to assess what you could be under God, and compared that with what you are? That is truth. But that is another story. Nehemiah took note of his enemies, but their opposition did not deter him. We need to sit and take a look at ourselves every now and then -- to stop and re-evaluate what we are doing. It all centered on the ten gates of the city of Jerusalem. God’s leaders … They stood against anything that defiles the temple of God. We see, also, the need for caution. God raised Esther, a young Jewish maiden, to the throne of Persia as queen. Copyright © 2021 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. That is followed immediately by commitment. That gives you a quick survey of these three books. (Nehemiah 13:21a). The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. Such people see no danger in living unprotected and even believe something can be gained by being open to the world. The book closes with the matter of resistance to evil. It would take many people to work together to complete this job. It is this attitude that he seeks. He struck the tuning fork again and said, "That is 'A' and that, my friend, is the good word for today." In verse 19 he says: When it began to be dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the sabbath. with sparks flying from his eyes, and yet he is perfectly justified in what he does because he is resolutely saying no to that which defiles the temple of God. It may or may not be helpful to know that this Artaxerxes and Ahasuerus are also Darius the Mede of the book of Daniel. Whenever a man like Nehemiah says, "I will arise and build," Satan always says, "Then I will arise and oppose." (Nehemiah 8:8 RSV). He takes note of exactly what needs to be done. These are the days when the old truth is being forsaken. Here is a man who is thoroughly angry. Such people see no danger in living unprotected and even believe something can be gained by being open to the world. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. These are really titles. In other words, Esther actually happened when God first began to move in the midst of Israel's captivity to return this nation to the land. This is followed by the Water Gate. What does it mean, then, to rebuild the walls of your life? Immediately courage is needed. That is always the starting place for strength in your life. This is the gate through which the sheep were brought into the city to be sacrificed at the altar. About 450 years pass before any more is learned about this. TERMS OF USE As he came into the temple and found it filled with the money changers, who were defiling the house of prayer, he made a whip of cords and drove them out of the temple. Therefore, the city of Babylon considered itself very safe. My Book of Bible Stories. Nehemiah is well aware of this — God must move in the areas where Nehemiah … Message transcript and recording © 2021 by Ray Stedman Ministries, owner of sole copyright by assignment from the author. therefore I chased him from me. Nehemiah has a plan forming in his mind, even while he has been in prayer, of how to go about rebuilding the walls. It was her husband, King Ahasuerus of Persia, who is the Artaxerxes of the opening chapters of Nehemiah. You see, this man has a plan forming in his mind, even while he has been in prayer, of how to go about rebuilding the walls. That is always a sure way to preserve the strength that God gives you. Nehemiah says: When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days; and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. "We are not contending against flesh and blood," the apostle says, "but against the principalities, against the powers...the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Nehemiah adds that Eliashib the high priest was related to Tobiah (Nehemiah 13:4) and one of his grandsons was the son-in-law of Sanballat (Nehemiah 13:28). It is preceded by the book of Ezra and the two men were contemporaries who worked together to restore Jerusalem. (2 Timothy 1:6) If you want to retain your strength, start using what God has given you. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1101978139/univ/art/1101978139_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/my/E/wpub/my_E_lg.jpg, Share He is one of the great characters of the Old Testament, but perhaps not as well known as some others. "What's the good word for today?" They’ve burned the buildings, t… From the beginning of his obedience, Nehemiah faced ridicule from Sanballat, Tobiah and their sympathizers. It was taken out through the Dung Gate. Truth is always the same. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. It is the gate of anticipation of what is yet to come when all the trials of life and all the struggles of earth will end and the glorious new sun will rise on the new day of God. I am glad to have discovered a great deal more about this man in the intervening years and I trust you have too. Nehemiah's autobiographical report of the rebuilding of the walls falls into three sections, each of which describes the ever-narrowing reproach of the community at the hands of the opposition of Sanballat and his associates. What does this gate symbolize? Nehemiah is well aware of this -- God must move in the areas where Nehemiah cannot. It is the place of humility, isn't it? You will never build the walls of your life until you have first become greatly concerned about the ruins. (Nehemiah 2:10b RSV). He says: "O Lord, let thy ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants who delight to fear thy name; and give success to thy servant today," (Nehemiah 1:11a RSV). It simply needs to be reinhabited. He took a hammer and struck the tuning fork so that the note resounded through the room. In those days, the high priest was very powerful. 3 Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. And so, using the wall as a catalyst, God called Nehemiah to Rebuild, Restore, and Revive the people. but it worked so well that I could see that God had provided prayer for us." 10 "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. He said: I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. We pray that we, also, may learn as Nehemiah did to be disciplined, courageous, confident in you, and willing to say no, willing to be absolutely ruthless against the forces that would undermine and sap the vitality of our lives in you. 2 [] Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. There are the Levites, the gate keepers, the singers, and various others who ministered in the temple. Nehemiah was not distracted by opposition. I often think of a story about the fellow who one day went to visit an old musician. The restoration of the house of God is always the first thing in the way back to God. He said, "I didn't think praying was the right thing to do at first. They are saying that we don't need these things anymore. Nehemiah may not have faced a pandemic, but when the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem, they left Israel destitute and without hope. In verse 25 he says: I contended with them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair [What a man! Nehemiah: The Man Behind the Walls. Notice the steps here. Discouragement Overcome … 16 And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. So what did he do? After this, the people celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles, when Israel dwelt in booths made of tree boughs to remind them that they were simply strangers and pilgrims on earth. Next was the remembrance of the lessons of the past. ]; and I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves." Next is the Horse Gate. Then, in chapter 12. in the dedication of the walls, the people gathered and marched around them with instruments, singing and shouting, playing and rejoicing, and crying out with great joy. In chapter 8 we have the great calling together of the people by Ezra the priest that is recorded also in the book of Ezra. The Walls of Jerusalem, Deliverance From Egypt to Israel’s First King, Israel’s First King to Captivity in Babylon, Captivity in Babylon to Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Walls, Jesus’ Resurrection to Paul’s Imprisonment, Publication download options Your strength will be maintained if you will take the attitude that Nehemiah took for God. The work of rebuilding the walls and repairing the gates was going to be a lot of work. So about 444 bc Nehemiah journeyed to Jerusalem and aroused the people there to the necessity of repopulating the city and rebuilding its walls. The people would be assigned a certain portion of the wall defined by the gates that gave access to the city. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. Nehemiah seemed to have all the advantages possible. In ancient cities the only real means of defense were the walls. So here is a man who, out of his concern, and after the confession of his heart, commits himself to a project. It was also true a hundred thousand years before it was uttered. Realizing this, Nehemiah seeks and receives permission from the emperor to travel to Judah to rebuild its walls (Nehemiah 2:1-10). Similarly, in the New Testament we are told to discover the gifts that the Spirit has given us and to put them to work. Well. Has that gate broken down in your life? As you read through this chapter, you will find the names of these gates; the Hebrew names have great significance. That name reminds us instantly of the words of the Lord Jesus to the woman at the well, "The water that I shall give [YOU] will become in [you] a spring of water [a fountain] welling up to eternal life." The next gate is the Old Gate. Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah realizes some will resist the idea of having a wall at all. In many Christians' lives this gate is broken down -- they are no longer resting upon truth. Whenever you read of Ammonites, Amorites, Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Perizzites, or any of the other "ites," you have a picture of the enemy of God -- the flesh. If you can never say a word for Christ, if there is never any witness in your life, then this wall is broken and the Fish Gate needs to be built again. For permission to use this content, please review The wall is almost finished and Nehemiah's enemies are desperate. " Nehemiah 3 New King James Version (NKJV) Rebuilding the Wall. Somebody has well said, "Whatever is true is not new, and whatever is new is not true." And that isn't all. Let me share the story with you. It never changes. If you do so again I will lay hands on you." It involved much prayer, much planning, many people and fair amount of hard work. Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall . He had allowed Tobiah to move right into the temple! Now these are the ways by which strength is maintained in our lives also. The walls and the people become two fitting tributes to Nehemiah’s God-honoring leadership. Nehemiah became violent. Artaxerxes agreed to send Nehemiah to Jerusalem, appointed him as Civil Governor for 12 years, and authorized him to complete the rebuilding of the wall (and gates) of the city, a task that took him but 52 days to accomplish (Neh. Nehemiah, in the wisdom that God gave him, set each of them to work building whatever part of the wall was nearest to each of their own houses so that they were personally involved in the work. Prayer is essential to know God’s will. 3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. This heathen king gave the command for Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to build up the walls of the city. This was the first means of retaining the strength represented by the walls. (Nehemiah 6:15 RSV). 3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. When he appears before the king, the king notes the sadness of Nehemiah's face and asks what he wants. The people are ruled by the king of Persia and they must serve him. Tobiah sent more threatening letters to Nehemiah. When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down more than a half-century after the completion of the rebuilding of the temple, he “sat down and wept,” fasting and praying before God (Neh. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was an important sign to the enemies of Israel. And if this gate is broken down so none of the rubbish can be cleansed away, this needs to be repaired. I thought it was quite an unfair advantage over those poor heathen. They appear in our Bible in reverse order of the chronological order in which they took place.

Io Solutions Promotional Exam, Weight Watcher Taco Casserole, Rahu Ardra Nakshtra, Why Are My Bread Rolls Hard, Neverwinter Mythic Mount, Legend T Shirt Danish Zehen, Mr Comics App Apk, Verse 52 Song Of Myself, Meng Jia Net Worth,