Thoughts
Nehemiah 2
In the month of Nisan (about 4 months later), Artaxerxes notices Nehemiah’s sadness and asks why he looks troubled. Nehemiah explains that he is grieving because Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates are burned.
When the king asks what he wants, Nehemiah prays briefly and then requests permission to rebuild Jerusalem.The king, with the queen beside him, grants his request and asks how long he will be gone.
Nehemiah also asks for letters to the governors for safe passage and for timber from the king’s forest to rebuild the gates, walls, and his residence. The king grants everything.
Nehemiah travels to Jerusalem with army officers and cavalry. Sanballat and Tobiah are displeased that someone has come to help the Israelites.
After resting three days, Nehemiah secretly inspects the city at night with a few men. He rides around the broken walls and burned gates through the Valley Gate, Dung Gate, and Fountain Gate.
Nehemiah tells the leaders that Jerusalem lies in ruin and urges them to rebuild so they will “no longer be in disgrace.” He shares how God’s gracious hand was on him and the king’s approval. They respond with enthusiasm.
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem mock and accuse Nehemiah of rebelling against the king. Nehemiah answers: “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 3
The high priest and fellow priests rebuild the Sheep Gate and dedicate it. They also repair the section of wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.
Then people from various districts rebuild the Fish Gate and reinforce the beams and bolts.
Skilled craftsmen and local rulers repair the Old Gate area then they rebuild the Valley Gate and Dung Gate.
Builders reconstruct the section leading to the pool near the King’s Garden and the stairs of the City of David. Then the Water Gate and the projecting tower.
The Horse Gate, East Gate, and points leading to the upper guard posts are restored.
| Gate / Section | Who Rebuilt It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep Gate | Eliashib the high priest and fellow priests | Dedicated it; built towers of Hundred and Hananel |
| Fish Gate | Sons of Hassenaah | Repaired beams, doors, bolts, and bars |
| Old Gate (Jeshanah Gate) | Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah | Set beams and doors |
| Broad Wall Section | Men of Gibeon and Mizpah under the governor west of Euphrates | Repaired adjoining wall |
| Valley Gate | Hanun and residents of Zanoah | Rebuilt it with 1,000 cubits of wall |
| Dung Gate | Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of Beth Hakkerem | Rebuilt and set doors, bolts, bars |
| Fountain Gate | Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of Mizpah | Rebuilt wall to Pool of Siloam, King’s Garden, and stairs of City of David |
| Water Gate (near the east) | Levites under Rehum and others | Worked on adjacent wall; not on the gate itself |
| Horse Gate | Priests | Repaired section each opposite their own houses |
| East Gate | Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, gatekeeper | Repaired and fortified |
| Inspection Gate (Miphkad Gate) | Hanun and Nehemiah son of Zalaph | Repaired final eastern section |
| Back to Sheep Gate | Goldsmiths and merchants | Completed circuit of wall |
| Group | Notable Names / Roles |
|---|---|
| Priests and Levites | Eliashib, Rehum, Hashabiah, Shallun, and others worked near the temple area |
| Rulers of districts | Rephaiah, Shallum (repaired with his daughters), Hashabiah, and others led sections in their regions |
| Craftsmen | Goldsmiths and perfumers repaired walls near their shops |
| Residents / Families | People like Benjamin, Hasshub, and Meshullam repaired opposite their homes |
| Opposition | Some nobles of Tekoa “would not put their shoulders to the work” (contrast to the zeal of others) |
Nehemiah 4
Sanballat becomes furious and mocks the Jews publicly. Tobiah joins in, sayingthat even a small fox could knock down their wall.
Nehemiah responds with prayer, asking God to notice their insults and defend His people. Despite the ridicule, the people keep working until the wall reaches half its height because “the people had a mind to work.”
When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites hear the wall is advancing, they unite to attack Jerusalem. Nehemiah and the people pray and post guards day and night.
The people grow discouraged, saying the rubble is too much and their strength is failing. Rumors spread that their enemies will plan a surprise attack.
Nehemiah stations armed families by the wall, swords and spears in hand, reminding them not to be afraid. The enemies back off when they realize Jerusalem is ready and God is behind them.
Half the workers rebuild while the other half stand guard with weapons. Builders work with one hand on the task and the other holding a weapon. They were prepared!
Questions
How close did the enemies actually come, was it just threats?
Application
Be prepared! We can be prepared spiritually like Nehemiah who is mentioned multiple times praying before he acted. We can be prepared for opposition like Nehemiah when Sanballat and Tobiah mocked and threatened them. And importantly, we can be prepared together. Nehemiah was never alone. In addition to God on his side, he had families, priests, merchants, and leaders ready to fight. When challenges come in life, we won’t have all the answers, but we can have our battle gear ready with communication with God and those around us. Spiritual readiness plus community can help us in the toughest of situations.
Jo Reads The Bible 
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