“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings” – Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)
Nehemiah, Cupbearer, a slave in the courts of the Persian King, Artaxerxes, received information from his brother Hanani and some other men that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates had been burnt with fire (Nehemiah 1).
Nehemiah, whose name means ‘God comforts,’ was filled with sorrow. He wept profusely, mourned, fasted, and prayed, repenting for the sins committed against God by the peoples of Israel, inclusive of his forefathers and himself. In his cry for God’s forgiveness, Nehemiah confessed that the Israelites had disobeyed the commands, decrees, and laws God gave His servant Moses and as a result of their unfaithfulness, they were exiled among the nations.
He reminded God of His promise that if the Israelites return to Him and obey His commands, He (God) will gather them and bring them to the place He has chosen as a dwelling for His name. Nehemiah then asked for God’s divine favour with King Artaxerxes since it was his intention to petition him for the requisite materials needed for rebuilding the wall. God granted his request, resulting in him receiving safe passage to the Trans-Euphrates for timber and the provision of army officers and cavalry for his protection.
Nehemiah went about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem with prudence. He met opposition from Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. He was mocked and ridiculed by them with the intention of discouraging the rebuilding. After that failed, they plotted together to fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble, but Nehemiah armed half his men and had them strategically placed to fend off any attacks. In addition, he promoted unity among the Israelites and encouraged the nobles and officials not to charge their own people interest, to return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses held as collateral.
Friends, Sanballat et al devised several schemes designed to snare Nehemiah into a trap and have him killed, but the cupbearer refused to be distracted from his work of unifying Jerusalem. In the end, the wall was rebuilt, and the plots of God’s enemies came to naught. The walls of division were also destroyed as the physical walls were rebuilt.
As we help to repair our society, let’s strive to develop and use Nehemiah’s servant leader principles of prayer, great faith, commitment, courage, integrity, honesty, innovation, teamwork, communication, and passion for the things of God as our template for development.
Serve your gifts in your sphere of influence.
Read: Psalm 80:3; Nehemiah 1:10-11
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 78:40-55; Acts 20; 2 Kings 1; 2 Kings 2
