Nehemiah 2:1 – 20 Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem
“Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.”
I was overwhelmed with fear and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
“What is your request?” replied the king.
So I prayed to the God of heaven and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”
Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.
I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.”
And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
Nehemiah Inspects the Walls
After I arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days, I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.
Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to get through; so I went up the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I headed back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews or priests or nobles or officials or any other workers. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”
I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me.
“Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.
When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
As cupbearer to the King, Nehemiah is in an enviable position; however, it is forbidden for anyone to be sad in the king’s presence. Nehemiah is doing his best to appear cheerful; however, Artaxerxes has ruled for twenty years and is a keen observer. Notice the kind question that Artaxerxes asks Nehemiah: “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” With his heart in his shoe soles, Nehemiah explains that it is the deplorable state of affairs in Jerusalem that is causing him to grieve. Rather than banishing Nehemiah from his presence, Artaxerxes continues to question him, giving Nehemiah the courage to ask leave to travel to Jerusalem and help with the rebuilding.
King Artaxerxes gives Nehemiah letters of safe passage as well as a letter to the head of the forestry division for timber. In addition, Artaxerxes also sends along army officers and cavalry. But there are two villainous officials who are fuming at Nehemiah’s arrival – Sanballat, a Horonite, and Tobiah, an Ammonite. Neither of these men want anything good to happen to the Jews.
As soon as Nehemiah arrives, he carries out an inspection by night so he will not be interrupted. Once this inspection has been accomplished, Nehemiah meets with the Jewish leaders and advises them of his intention to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Reinvigorated by Nehemiah’s drive and enthusiasm, these leaders agree and begin rebuilding.
Remember Tobiah and Sanballat? Both these men are Samaritans, the group that tried to demand a share in rebuilding the temple, only to be rebuffed. Tobiah and Sanballat feel that if the Samaritans aren’t going to be included in the building program, they will do everything they can to stop Nehemiah. The terrible two begin their campaign by accusing Nehemiah of rebellion against the king. Nehemiah’s answer is a classic one: “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
APPLICATION: Sometimes we might feel as if we are perpetually in a Nehemiah situation. As I am writing this study, the Ghanaian currency is depreciating. Our hospital suppliers have warned us that the price they quote right now is only good for the next few minutes; after that, the price might increase. Our hospital needs to increase its services; meanwhile, we are trying to survive. Our friends who are pastoring churches tell me that the collections have become very noisy – only coins and nothing else, and small coins at that!
There is a Chinese curse that says, “May you live in interesting times.” Many of us would be happy to be bored! Nehemiah did not truly choose his situation; God chose Nehemiah and then sent him to Jerusalem. God already knew all about Tobiah and Sanballat, as well as the Jewish leaders who were going to promise but not really deliver. And that is exactly the point. God knew everything about Nehemiah’s situation and God knows everything about yours as well. God is eternal; He does not change. The same God who gave Ezra and Nehemiah such favor with King Artaxerxes can still give you favor with national leaders and can release resources. God does not play favorites and He still answers when we call upon Him.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You that You are the God of Nehemiah and that You can give us favor with rulers and other officials. Thank You that if we are called on to rebuild, You will give us the people, the plans, and the resources. Help us to continue to trust You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment