Nehemiah

The book of Nehemiah is a historical account of how Nehemiah lead people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Twenty years after King Solomon built the 1st Temple, he died in 931B.C. Israel’s twelve tribes split into two kingdoms: The northern kingdom, which was made up of 10 tribes, took on the name of Israel. And the southern kingdom, which was made up of two tribes, took on the name of Judah. Both kingdoms had a history of disobedience and idolatry, and God’s judgment fell on them. In 722 B.C., Assyria conquered the northern kingdom, then in 605 B.C. the southern kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians, and Solomon’s Temple was destroyed.
The Persian Empire rose to power, and they overthrew the Babylonians as the world superpower. The Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem by the end of the 5th B.C. century. Then the second Temple was built in Jerusalem, but the walls of the city were compromised, and the city was vulnerable and open to attack. And this is the point in history where we find Nehemiah.
The book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah serving Artaxerxes, King of Persia, as his cupbearer
In the middle of the 4th century, B.C. Nehemiah learned the Jews that had returned from the Babylonian exile and were living in the city of Jerusalem with walls that were broken. After learning of his people in need, Nehemiah did two things. He prayed with fasting, and he trusted God. This was his prayer: “Remember the word that you commanded your servant, Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.” Nehemiah 1:8-9. He prayed for four months. Nehemiah was petitioning God to do what was done for Israel in Egypt and gather his people to a place. After praying and fasting for four months, he approached King Artaxerxes and asked to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. The King granted his request.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he toured the city walls to assess the damage. He faced tremendous opposition as he made plans and directed the people in rebuilding the city walls. He was mocked and threatened as he persisted. Nehemiah had opposition from legitimate enemies and opposition from the people he was leading. The people were at times discouraged and almost hopeless, but Nehemiah persisted. The Bible says that the threat was so great from outside the city he posted armed guards along the walls to protect the city until the building was done. Men were armed and ready to fight while they worked daily to build the wall.
These evil men that opposed Nehemiah even tried to get him killed by luring him into an ambush. And when that didn’t work, they tried to get him to enter the Temple unlawfully, which meant that he would succumb to God’s punishment.
It took Nehemiah 52 days to reinforce the gaps and rebuild the wall. He gathered his people together, he equipped them, and he led them in rebuilding the city walls of Jerusalem. After the wall was built, Nehemiah ensured that the people were read God’s Law, and they understood it. He wanted them to know what standards he and they would live by.
In summary, Nehemiah served King Artaxerxes loyally as cupbearer and learned about the Jew’s dire situation in Jerusalem. Nehemiah prayed and fasted to God for four months before petitioning the King to return to his home and reinforce Jerusalem’s city walls. Upon arrival into the city, he assessed the damage and got to work. In spite of opposition, he led his people in rebuilding the wall and succeeded.

Israel, undoubtedly
Belong to the Jews.The Stones
and walls cry out theTruth.
Book of Nehemiah

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/nehemiah-3-1
What Does Nehemiah 3:1 Mean? ►
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

Nehemiah 3:1(NASB)

Picture courtesy of Sweet Publishing
Verse Thoughts
Because of their apostasy, both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah were enslaved and deported by their enemies, and both the holy city of Jerusalem and the beautiful temple of Solomon, were destroyed by Babylon. For 70 years the land lay desolate as foretold by the prophets. But God did not forget His people and after 70 years of exile, God moved the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to permit them to return to their homeland and rebuild the sanctuary of God.

Over the years, harsh rules were relaxed and exiles had become comfortable under foreign rule, and out of 3 million exiles, only about 50 thousand returned to the Promised Land with Ezra, the priest. The returnees attempted to return to their spiritual foundation, and although the Temple was eventually rebuilt, the city walls and gates remained burnt and in ruins for nearly a hundred years.


Because of the courage of Nehemiah, who told his concerns to King Artaxerxes, more people returned to Jerusalem to restore the city and rebuild its gates. This little band of builders met with much opposition from their pagan neighbours, foreigners who had moved into the city during Israel's exile and set up an authoritarian, legislative administration, which was determined to depress the morale of Nehemiah and his workers. Nevertheless, because of his wise example, they refused to be intimidated and continued with their important rebuilding project.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/nehemiah-3-1

Brothers and sisters

Back in Nehemiah's day (about 500 B.C.), God burdened his heart for the city of Jerusalem. The rebuilding of the temple had taken place (516 B.C.) and true worship was restored to God's people. However, history reveals the actual CITY of Jerusalem was mostly abandoned (Neh. 7:4). The Jewish people were probably isolated from one another, scraping by in the outlying areas and coming into the city each week to worship.
Since the people had no city to join together in, they were subject to evil from local warlords or the whim of anyone with cruel motives traveling through the area. Without an actual city: there was no strength of community, no government, no corporate will, no prosperity, no resources, no respect, no ability to build something permanent and sustainable, no safety, no security ... no WALLS to protect them from the enemy.
Nehemiah could see the problem(s) and he knew what was needed to begin the process of finding the solution(s). A Wall. Yes, to continue the purposes God had for His people, a wall had to be built. Until there was a wall, everything the city needed for rebirthing could not begin. Nehemiah finished rebuilding the walls of the city in 445 B.C. The Jews had been under "great distress and reproach" for over 70 years until a man who stepped out in faith, obeyed his "heavenly assignment" and followed the leading of the Lord in his life.
Well, I believe it is time to build a SPIRITUAL WALL around our cities.
Just like Nehemiah did in the Old Testament, we must begin by building a wall to protect us from evil. Once a spiritual wall is built, security and safety for believers will be dramatically increased ... a strengthening of the Christian community will form ... non Christians will be blessed by a supernatural presence of God .... Christian leaders in government, in education, in the private sector, etc. will be empowered to stand strong for their faith and the name of Jesus ... a corporate will from the local body of Christ will emerge ... increased financial resources will flow towards Kingdom work ... a place where the sick, the poor and the wounded can go and have access to a "city of refuge" to heal and be transformed by God's love ... the churches (united) will work together with their fellow believers in the marketplace for true transformation!
 
SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE HEAVENLIES
 
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (Eph. 1:21).
 
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).
 
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12)
 
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).
 
Seated in heavenly places, far above evil, having power over the enemy, we bind and cast down the demonic chain of command: Might, Thrones, Nobles, Kings and Princes over Kingdoms, Principalities, Dominions and Powers, Generals, Rulers, Captains, Centurions and Strongmen, Rulers of Darkness of this World and Spiritual Wickedness in High Places.
 
We send legions of warring angels to attack. We lose the powers of God to do a mighty battle. We bind every force of evil and loose every force of good that we have the power and authority to do so. We break curses, vexes, hexes, spells and demonic ties.
 
We use every verse in the Holy Bible that wars against the demonic forces. We bind and loose spirits. We command civil war in Satan's Kingdom. We loose the Love of God, Price that Jesus Paid, Holy Spirit, Word of God, Blood of Jesus and Cross of Jesus against the forces of evil. All these things we do in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Master and Savior, and for the Holy Trinity.
 
 
Put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)
 
1) I  place around my waist the belt of truth. I will know the truth and the truth will make me free. I am free because whoever the Son sets free is free indeed. I am free from (say whatever you have been set free from). I am a Son of God. The Holy Spirit guides me into all truth. He will guide me with His eye. I have the wisdom and knowledge of God. The Holy Spirit will instruct me in the way I should go.
 
2) I   put on the breastplate of righteousness. Because of the cross Jesus has placed on me a robe of righteousness, I am the righteousness of God. I plead the blood of Jesus over myself today. Forgive me of my sins this day. Convict me Holy Spirit of any wrong and search my heart of any secret sin. The righteous are as bold as a lion. I thank you for boldness to do your will today. Help me to speak your word with great boldness. I am established today in your righteousness.
 
3) My feet are ready with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Help me to be prepared to give my testimony today. I thank you that you have made a covenant with me that your laws and your words are written on my heart and in my mind. You said that you put your words in my mouth. Let my life reflect the gospel of peace. Send someone across my path to share the gospel with today. Use me Lord to bless someone today.
 
4) I take up the shield of faith which quenches every fiery dart of the enemy. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. I am an over comer in you. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I thank you for my angels. I have an angel of the Lord that encamps around about me. I am protected from the evil one and delivered from the evils of this present world.
 
5) I place on my head the helmet of salvation, the hope of glory. I have the mind of Christ and no weapon formed against my mind will prosper. I think on things which are good, pure, perfect, lovely, and of good report. I will take authority over my mind today. I have authority over all the power of the enemy. I choose to cast down every vain imagination that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and I will bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ. I belong to Jesus and I give the Holy Spirit control of my thoughts. I submit my mind to God, resist the devil, and he must flee.
 
6) I take the sword of the spirit and I use it on the offense. I will not shrink back. I am a soldier for Christ. We wrestle against principalities. I thank you for the power of your word. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. It will not return void but it accomplishes the task it was sent for. Your word is true. You are not a man that you would lie.  I am a doer of your word. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide your word in my heart so that I will not sin against you.
 
7) I will pray in the Spirit on all occasions because the Spirit will pray through me the will of God. This builds up my inner man and gives me strength for the day.   I will pray for the saints according to your word.
 
8) I thank you that the glory of the Lord is my rear guard.
 
9) I will praise you today. Let the high praises of God be in my mouth and a two-edged sword in my hand. I will praise you because you are worthy of my praise. I place on myself a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. Put a new song in my heart Lord. Let your praise be continually on my lips.
 
10) I thank you Lord that you are a God of healing, provision, and restoration. You are my healer. It is the will of God for me to be healed. You took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. You said you heal all thy diseases. You are my provider. Those who seek you will not lack any good thing. You will prosper me as my soul prospers. As I seek you first, you will add all things to me. All my needs are met in Jesus. You have made a covenant with me that as I tithe and give an offering that you will supply all my needs and I will reap abundantly. You are the God of restoration. As I plead with you and walk pure and upright, you will rouse yourself on my behalf and restore me to my rightful place. You will restore what the cankerworm has eaten up. You restore my soul.
 
11) I thank you Lord that I walk in the fruit of your Spirit.  It is not by might, not by power, but by your Spirit says the Lord. I have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is my personality in you.
 
12) I ask you for the gifts of the Spirit. Your word says to seek the gifts. I want to edify others through these gifts. I ask you for the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, the gift of faith, the gift of healing, miraculous powers, the gift of prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Help me to encourage someone today through the power of your Holy Spirit.
 
13) I pray all these in your Holy name, Jesus. Your name is above every name. All things are placed under your feet. All authority has been given unto you in Heaven and in earth. In Him we live, in Him we move and in Him we have our being. You are Lord. Amen.
 
 Lilian Schmid