The Bible Book

133

See also: Entering the Promised Land 96–97 ■ The Fall of Jerusalem 128–31

M

ost scholars agree that

Nehemiah’s existence is

rooted in historical fact.

This great organizer and devout

follower of God is credited with

rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem,

as well as continuing to revive the

city and its people’s worship of God.

While serving as the cup bearer

to King Artaxerxes I, Nehemiah

receives his sovereign’s permission

to return to his ancestral homeland

of Jerusalem and rebuild the city’s

walls. On his arrival, he organizes

the wall’s restoration, but struggles

to motivate the demoralized and

divided Jewish people.

Faith restored

Nehemiah and the Jews are also

opposed by many disparate groups:

Arabs, Philistines, Ammonites, and

Samaritans led by Sanballat the

Horonite. Agreeing on nothing else

but their opposition to the Jews,

they hinder their work on the walls

through insults, scorn, and terror.

Nehemiah turns to God, praying

for Him to acknowledge everything

His people have had to endure, and

his faith is rewarded. The wall is

rebuilt in just 52 days. Nehemiah

then gathers everyone together to

dedicate the newly defended city to

God and hear Ezra read the Law of

Moses. The people revive the feast

of Sukkot, commemorating the

Israelites’ years in the wilderness.

Jerusalem is now reborn, with

Nehemiah having corrected the

disobedience to God that caused

the city to fall. ■

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS

HEAR US, OUR

GOD, FOR WE

ARE DESPISED

NEHEMIAH 4:4, REBUILDING JERUSALEM

IN BRIEF

PA S SAGE

Nehemiah 1–13

THEME

Jerusalem is restored

SETTING

c. 445 bce during the reign of

Artaxerxes I, king of Persia.

Susa, the Persian capital, and

then Jerusalem, capital of the

kingdom of Judah.

KEY FIGURES

Nehemiah An important royal

official who sets out to rebuild

the walls of Jerusalem.

Ezra A scribe-priest who

works with Nehemiah to

restore the city of Jerusalem.

King Artaxerxes I King

of Persia.

Sanballat the Horonite

The Samaritan governor,

who seeks to sabotage the

restoration work.

The Jews hold weapons along with

their tools as they rebuild the wall. This

etching (1852–1860) by Julius Schnorr

von Carolsfeld shows the threat of

violence the Jews faced while working.

US_132-133_Queen_Esther_and_Rebuilding_Jerusalem.indd 133 21/09/17 11:30 am