Nehemiah 3:1

There were many interesting people who rebuilt certain sections of the wall that fortified Jerusalem. We will look at some of them in the next few days. Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. Can you imagine the priests building a section of the wall and building a huge gate? The priests were supposed to offer sacrifices and do the ceremonies at the Temple. They probably had no construction skill. But there they were, building part of the wall. They did so because they had to and because they wanted to. Why do you think that a priest would be interested in building the sheep gate? Do you think that the priests thought of how they would bring the sacrifices in each day by the sheep gate? And our verse says that they sanctified it. I know that these Godly priests prayed over the gate that they built. I am sure that they were even proud of their work! They were not builders, but they did their best for the Lord and for their family’s protection.

Nehemiah 2:19,20

Nehemiah 2:19,20 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto 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. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the Jews and their God. They laughed and laughed at Nehemiah’s plan. But Nehemiah was not phased. He said, “God is on our side. He will take care of us and help us to finish the work. But you have no part in Jerusalem!” That was pretty bold. But Nehemiah wasn’t afraid of anything! He had King Artaxerxes' letters and God’s leading. That was enough for him!

Nehemiah 2:16-18

Nehemiah 2:16-18 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. Nehemiah was a wise man. He didn’t tell anyone what he was up to until he had the time to assess the situation. When Nehemiah came into the area of Jerusalem, he waited until dark. Then he secretly went out to survey the city and the damage that needed to be repaired. The next day, Nehemiah developed a plan. Only then did he tell the Jews his plan. He told them that he had the king’s blessing and that there were unlimited resources available. The Jews got excited and replied, “Let us rise up and build!” The work began before Sanballat and Tobiah hasd time to discourage anyone. But they didn’t give up. But neither did Nehemiah. he had the king’s permission and God’s direction. He was in a good place.

Nehemiah 2:9,10

Nehemiah 2:9,10 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. Nehemiah had orders from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Sanballat and Tobiah did not like the Jews and didn’t want to see Jerusalem prosper. So when Nehemiah came into Israel and began to make plans to rebuild the walls, Sanballat and Tobiah were upset. They didn’t like the Jews and they didn’t like anyone looking out for the Jews. Some people are just grumpy. They don’t like anyone or anything. But Nehemiah wasn’t worried. He was on a first name basis with King Artaxerxes. And no one was going to cross the Persian king! God had the right man in charge of his rebuilding project, didn’t He!

Nehemiah 2:4-6

Here’s a random thought: today is Groundhog Day. Do you know what that means? Traditionally, on today the groundhog comes out from his winter hibernation and looks around for the first time. If he sees his shadow, he will be afraid and run back underground. That means there will be six more weeks of bad winter weather. If the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow, he will come on out, and we will have six weeks of good, spring-like weather. But that is just a tale. What do you think? What was the weather like this morning? Let’s see what happens. Anyway . . .

Nehemiah 2:4-6 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Nehemiah had the boldness to come into the king’s presence with a sad face. The king asked what was the problem so Nehemiah came right out and told him! The king thought for a moment and asked Nehemiah what he wanted him to do about it. So Nehemiah whispered a quick prayer to God and asked the king for everything on his heart. Nehemiah asked for time off of work and for money and soldiers and the authority to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, his home town. And the king granted the request! Do you think the king granted Nehemiah’s request because he liked Nehemiah? Partly. But I think that the king granted Nehemiah’s request because God was working for Nehemiah. And without knowing it, the king was working for God! If you pray to the God of heaven, He will work for you too!

Nehemiah 2:1-3

Nehemiah 2:1-3 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.  Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? After Nehemiah had fasted and prayed for a few days, God put a plan in his heart. Nehemiah knew that the king liked him. Nehemiah knew that the king could do anything that he wanted to do. So one day, Nehemiah came in with the king’s meal and Nehemiah’s face was all red and puffy from crying. The king knew that Nehemiah wasn’t sick, so he asked him what was wrong. Nehemiah replied, “Artaxerxes, you would be crying too if your home town’s walls were broken down and the gates were burned!” Nehemiah said it right out loud. And then he waited. And the king thought for a moment. Tomorrow we’ll see what he said. Do you think that God had softened up Artaxerxes’ heart? I think He did! We’ll find out . . .