In 587 BC Judah was removed from the land of Israel and led
to captivity in Babylon. Only few people remained in the Land. In 538 BC King
Cyrus sent some of the people to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Nehemiah’s
possible return is thought to be around 430 BC. He was the contemporary of
Zerubbabel and Ezra. They share a common history. While Zerubbabel helped built
the temple, Ezra brought back the Law of the Lord into Israel’s life but
Nehemiah helped rebuilt the wall and make Jerusalem a secure place.
In the time of Nehemiah the nation of Judah needed a strong
leadership to help them rise from the ruins of their captivity and once again
assume their position as the kingdom where Jehovah God reigns. The Persian Empire
helped midwife Judah’s return, rebuilding and restoration to nationhood.
Nehemiah as a cupbearer to the King was stationed at Susa. When he steps out of
the palace his leadership gift stands out. When Nehemiah receives updates from
Jerusalem his heart is strongly stirred by the plight of the people and the
city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, the pride of Israel had now become a symbol of
their shame and reproach as the people of God (the walls were broken down and
their gates burned with fire). Yet in spite their condition the people who
lived in Jerusalem were in a condition of passivity. They had gladly accepted
the culture of the people around them and probably surrendered to their present
circumstances. They intermarried and made political alliances with other
nations. There was no striking difference between Israel and the other
people. Nehemiah not only steps
out to build the wall but also to build the people and help them regain their
identity as the people of God. He travels to Israel and rallies the people to
rebuild the wall and becomes their governor.
Reading this book should arouse in us the courage,
determination and motivation to confront great needs in our own lives, family,
church and society. Nehemiah not only secured a permit to rebuild the wall, he
helped gather resources, identified workers gifts, assigned position,
confronted criticism and opposition and galvanized the people to focus on the
work and complete it.
