Broken Walls

Broken walls

Introduction

It is 90 years after the first Jews have returned from exile in Babylon, yet Nehemiah is still in Susa in Persia, faithfully serving King Artaxerxes. We don’t know why he is still there. However, we do know that even though he is physically in Persia, his heart is back in Jerusalem, a place he has probably never seen. One day some devastating news comes to him: although the temple has been rebuilt, the walls of Jerusalem are still broken down, the gates are burned, and the whole place is in disrepair.

 

Read Nehemiah 1:1-4

Nehemiah: a passionate man

• How does Nehemiah show his interest in what has happened to his fellow Jews? (verse 2)
• How does Hanani describe the current state of Jerusalem? (verse 3)
• What is the first thing Nehemiah does when he hears about Jerusalem? (verse 4) Why do you think he does this?

On hearing the news, Nehemiah weeps and fasts and prays. Does he really love the stones and the walls so much? Is he only concerned about appearances? No! Jerusalem is God’s city, and Nehemiah knows the glory of Jerusalem reflects the glory of God to the nations around them. But the state of the walls is bringing shame to God’s Name. And Nehemiah is passionate about the glory of God. So we must ask: How much do I care about the glory of God?

 

Read Nehemiah 1:5-11

Nehemiah: a prayerful man

• How does Nehemiah begin his prayer? (verse 5) What does he pray in verses 6-7?
• What does Nehemiah remember about God in verses 8-10?
• What is the final request recorded in this prayer? (verse 11)

We can learn a lot from this prayer. Nehemiah begins by praising the great God of heaven who keeps his covenants. He then confesses his own sins and the sins of God’s people Israel. He reminds God that even though they have done wrong, the returned exiles are still his redeemed people. It is not until verse 11 that Nehemiah finally places his request before God. Perhaps we can distil from these verses a pattern for our own prayers.

 

Read Nehemiah 2:1-9

Nehemiah: a practical man

• Nehemiah is cupbearer to the king. How do we see God beginning to answer Nehemiah’s prayer? (verses 1-2)
• How do verses 3-8 show Nehemiah has given careful thought about what he needs to repair the broken walls?

After praying, Nehemiah begins to act; and he acts with courage and boldness. It wouldn’t have been easy to be so open and forthright before the king. However, Nehemiah tells his story, beginning with his distress over the broken walls, and then asking the king for practical help. And in verse 8 we see God answering Nehemiah’s prayers.

 

Read Nehemiah 2:10-20

Nehemiah: a persistent man

• What opposition does Nehemiah face? (verse 10)
• What does verse 12 tell us about the source of Nehemiah’s vision for mending the broken walls?
• Despite mocking and ridicule, what gave Nehemiah confidence that the walls would be rebuilt? (verse 20)
• Read Nehemiah 7:1. What was the result of Nehemiah’s persistence?

Nehemiah trusted God completely to do what He had placed on his heart. May we learn to do the same.

 

Songs of praise

O God Our Help in Ages Past (Watts); I Set My Hope on Jesus (Getty and Boswell); He Leadeth Me (Gilmore).