As we look at today’s background photo, to be honest, it means nothing to us. A crumbling wall … there isn’t even a gate … the gate is completely gone. So what.
Now think for a moment to the time your email account was hacked. Does that bring up any emotions? Oh yes. How about the time you realized your identity had been stolen. Did that cause any pain and suffering? Oh yes!
Our world is currently undergoing cyberattack … from all fronts. Internet security “walls” … are they important? Oh yes! How about internet “gateway” passwords? Oh yes! They’re important!
Imagine what your life would be like if your online banking system did not have any “walls of security.” What would your life be like if you did not have any password “gates”?
This is where we find ourselves as we come to the book of Nehemiah.
The Jews are returning back to their homeland after captivity. The first group to make the journey is led by Zerubbabel, and they return with the express purpose of rebuilding the Temple (Ezra, chapters 1-6). More than 60 years later, a second group of Jews makes the return from Babylon, and this group is led by the scribe Ezra (Ezra, chapters 7-10).
The book of Nehemiah opens with Nehemiah in Persia, serving in the Persian royal court as personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11-2:1). Although Nehemiah has remained in Persia after the exiles are allowed to go home, he cares deeply for his homeland and is very interested in how things are going.
In Nehemiah 1:2-3, Nehemiah’s brother comes from Judah with news: “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Walls of security are important!
Gates of security are important!
Life and flourishing cannot happen without walls and gates for security.
The book of Nehemiah is the story of rebuilding. First and foremost, rebuilding the walls of defense around Jerusalem! Rebuilding the gates! Life and flourishing cannot happen without walls and gates for security.
Nehemiah is also the story of rebuilding in a spiritual sense. Nehemiah, along with Ezra, lead a great spiritual revival among the people. (Nehemiah 8:1-18).
* Nehemiah 8:8 – “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.”
Upon hearing God’s Word, the people acknowledge their sin. They confess their sin to God, and they repent of their sin (Nehemiah 9:1-38). The people commit to follow God wholeheartedly! (Nehemiah 10:1-13) Rebuilding! Rebuilding the spiritual walls.
Spiritual walls and spiritual gates are important!
Life and flourishing, spiritually, cannot happen without walls and gates for protection.
As you look at today’s background photo, how are your spiritual walls and gates?
Jesus Christ in Nehemiah … Jesus can be seen, pictured in the life of Nehemiah.
* Nehemiah gave up a respected position of high honor in a palace, for hard labor in a politically insignificant district. So also, Jesus left his exalted place of honor in heaven, to come down to the hardships of earth … to rescue us from sin. (Philippians 2:5-8; John 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5)
* Nehemiah prayerfully interceded on behalf of his people (Nehemiah 1:5-11); so also Jesus prayerfully intercedes on behalf of all who love and follow Him (John 17:6-26; Romans 8:34).
* Nehemiah was the rebuilder of the broken-down walls. So also, Jesus Christ is the rebuilder of broken-down lives. Jesus rebuilds broken lives. (1 Peter 2:4-9; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49)
