“The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build,” – Nehemiah 2:20 (NASB)
In March 445 B.C. Nehemiah follows his contemporary Ezra and
together they are the ones who organized the return of the people from Babylon
to Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s role was restoration of the city’s walls and defenses.
It has been 70 years since the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the
temple of God. True to the prophecy through Jeremiah, God brings the people
back. But it is not so easy. The people living in the land were a mix of Israelites
from the Norther Kingdom and the people the Assyrians has shipped in from other
lands. These are the people who become known as Samaritans and are hated by
Jews. They give Nehemiah grief and trouble. Lies and false reports are sent to
the Persian king as well as threats of attacks. Sanballat and Tobiah were the
leaders of the troublemakers. Nehemiah makes it clear who is the power and
authority behind their effort. He declares what is God’s promise to them and
instructions to build first the walls and establish order to govern. The walls are completed
in September 445 B.C. – seven months. Nehemiah then appointed to serve as Governor by the King of Persia.
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