I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Nehemiah 1-3.

    The Exiles first returned to Jerusalem under King Cyrus, the events recounted in this passage take place approximately 100 years later. Which raises the question, had the walls of Jerusalem been rebuilt and destroyed once more, or was the rebuilding by Nehemiah the first time since the Exile for the walls to be rebuilt? If the second, which is how I have always understood this passage, what happened that made rebuilding the walls necessary now? Having set the stage for this passage I will now go on to what the passage communicates to me.

    When Nehemiah received word that the Returned Exiles were having troubles in Jerusalem, he was stricken by the need to do something, but he did not know what he should do. So, he did what each of us should do when we feel similar conviction; he fasted and prayed. At some point during his days of fasting and praying, Nehemiah came to believe that he should go to Jerusalem and oversee rebuilding the walls. He knows he needs authority to do this, but he also knows that he has access to the man who can give him that authority, the King of Persia. Before entering the presence of the king, Nehemiah prays once more. However, in addition to praying Nehemiah had done some planning. He knew what it would take to accomplish his goals. So, when given the opportunity, Nehemiah knew what to ask for. There are three elements that we should imitate when convicted about something that is not right:

1. Fasting and praying, so that God will reveal what actions we should take.
2. Planning out how to execute the actions God has directed us to take in step 1 (step 1 is not over yet)
3. Seeking the authorization we need to put our plans into effect.

In step 1 we need to be open to what God wants us to do about the issue. Perhaps we are called to take leadership in addressing the issue, as Nehemiah was. Perhaps we are called to assist someone else who has been called to take the lead. Or, perhaps we have only been called to intercede with God for those who are addressing the issue. Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because you have never before been a leader that God is not calling you to lead this time. However, if you are someone who knows they can be a leader do not wait for someone else to step forward.

    I find it interesting that the King of Persia gave Nehemiah an armed escort, especially in light of the opposition he faced as soon as he arrived. Another thing which is never made clear is why Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem opposed the fortification of Jerusalem. Based on what I read here and found elsewhere, it seems like Sanballat and Tobiah were officials of the Persian Empire whose authority was similar to that given to Nehemiah in neighboring areas, while Geshem appears to have been a client king of the Persian Emplire who ruled over areas of the Arabian Peninsula (also nearby). From that I conclude that their initial conversation with Nehemiah was one seeking to force him to accept a subordinate position to themselves. Further, I suspect that they had been using Jerusalem as a place through which to smuggle goods. The way it would have worked was that none of them was responsible for seeing that Persian law was enforced in Jerusalem, but all three had more authority there under Persian law than anyone else, prior to Nehemiah’s arrival. If they could have intimidated Nehemiah they could have continued their little game, with Nehemiah as the fall guy if the Empire found out.