[:en]SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 2
“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it” (Nehemiah 2:20)
ARTAXERXES SENDS NEHEMIAH TO JERUSALEM (vs. 1-10)
Nehemiah had been praying to God for the king to grant favor for him to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall and gate. After 4 months of waiting, he finally was able to approach the king in God’s time. When Nehemiah appeared before the king, his heart was burdened with sadness which was revealed in his face. The king noticed it and asked why his face looked so sad. He answered: “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” (v. 3). Then the king asked what he wanted. He requested the king to send him to the city of Jerusalem to rebuild it. He had already thoroughly worked out his plan in advance so that when the king asked him how long it will take, he was able to give the king a time schedule and a list of the materials he needed to bring. Because the gracious hand of God was upon him, the king granted his request. He was able to secure a letter to Asaph, the keeper of king’s forest for the timber needed for the city wall.
NEHEMIAH INSPECTS JERUSALEM WALLS (vs. 11-20)
The king also gave Nehemiah a letter to the governor of Trans-Euphrates for the safe conduct of his journey. Nehemiah started his journey for 3 months to arrive at the city. He waited 3 days before taking any steps. He started by night to go through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem. Then he moved on towards the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool. He investigated the situation by himself at night without any company.
Then he challenged the leaders of the remnant to work with him in repairing the walls so that they will no longer be in disgrace. He knew the gracious hand of the Lord was upon him so, they agreed to start the good work of rebuilding.
But there were enemies around. When Sanballat, the Hornite, Tobiah, the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed them. They accused them of rebelling against the king. But they answered: “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it” (v. 20)[:]