Nehemiah Builds
Rebuilding Walls
Nehemiah 1-6about 2 minutes to read aloud
Nehemiah served the wine for King Artaxerxes of Persia. Word came from Jerusalem: "The walls are broken down, and the gates are burned with fire." Nehemiah sat down and wept. He prayed and fasted for days.
One afternoon, as he brought the king his cup, the king noticed his sad face. "Why is your face downcast?" Nehemiah prayed quickly in his heart, and then he answered. He asked if he could go and rebuild the city of his fathers. The king said yes, and sent him with letters of safe passage.
In Jerusalem, Nehemiah rode by night to see the ruins. Then he gathered the people. "You see the trouble we are in. Let us rise up and build." The people said, "Let us rise up." And they began.
Each family took a section of the wall. Priests, goldsmiths, merchants, perfume-makers — all worked side by side. Enemies came to mock them. "Even a fox climbing on those stones would knock them down."
The enemies threatened war. Nehemiah posted guards. The builders worked with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. They kept at it from the first light until the stars came out.
In fifty-two days, the wall was finished. When the enemies of Israel heard it, they lost their courage, because they knew the work had been done by the help of God. The people gathered, and Ezra read the book of the law aloud, and they wept and worshiped — for the joy of the Lord was their strength.
Questions to talk about
Why was Nehemiah sad?
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He heard that the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins.
How long did it take to rebuild the wall?
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The wall was finished in fifty-two days.
What did the people do after the wall was finished?
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They gathered to hear Ezra read God's law, and the joy of the Lord was their strength.
The lesson
The Lord builds cities through humble hands and faithful prayers. Nothing He starts is left unfinished.
