Nehemiah 2:1–18

Explore the Bible 
Dean, School of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

GOD EMPOWERS THE WORK

Nehemiah 2:1–18

More than a decade passed from Ezra’s reforms in Jerusalem until the introduction to Nehemiah. While Ezra sought to establish order among Levites in the Promised Land, Nehemiah served as a trusted servant of King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah received a troubling report about the state of affairs in Jerusalem. Though the temple had been built the Jewish remnant inhabiting the city had no protection or means of defending themselves against invaders. The stone walls of Jerusalem had been breached and its wooden gates destroyed by fire more than 140 years before Nehemiah’s report, yet no one had rebuilt the walls to secure the welfare of the people. 

Hearing the news, Nehemiah wept for his countrymen. He prayed, confessed, wept and fasted while he planned for what could be done, given the opportunity. Nehemiah was a man of prayer who also reminded God that in the Torah He promises to gather and restore His people if they will confess, repent and obey. When the time was right perhaps God would open the door for Nehemiah to do something about this problem.

Problem Exposed (1–3)

Four months passed — from Chislev (November/December) to Nisan (March/April) — before Nehemiah brought his problem to the king. The text indicates that Nehemiah broke protocol, expressing emotion while in the presence of royalty. Artaxerxes discerned that Nehemiah’s problem was sadness of heart but the cupbearer feared because of the king’s inquiry. Once the king asked, Nehemiah opened up with a passionate response: “Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” (v. 3).

Permission Requested (4–5)

“What is your request?” The answer to this inquiry from the king offered a glimpse into the character of Nehemiah. His first response is to pray just as he did in chapter one. Second Nehemiah asked permission to travel to Jerusalem. Third he requested the king’s favor to allow Nehemiah to rebuild the city. This was only the beginning of the requests for the major task at hand.    

Preparations Made (6–8)

Nehemiah indicated to the royal family the time necessary to accomplish the building project. He later mentioned that his leave of absence was for 12 years (5:14; 13:6–7). He then requested safe passage through the areas led by other governors; essentially he needed a passport. Finally Nehemiah requested for the kingdom to provide supplies necessary to carry out his tasks. Clearly his four months of waiting until he made requests of the king were not spent on idle thoughts. He had made preparations for solving the problem.

Artaxerxes granted all of Nehemiah’s requests. In addition the king dispatched foot soldiers and horsemen along with officers to accompany him (v. 9). Nehemiah received an appointment to serve as governor of Jerusalem while overseeing the building project (5:14). These events call to mind the promise of God in Jeremiah 33:3 and Paul’s description of God in Ephesians 3:20.

Project Begun (17–18)

Nehemiah was a man of action. Not only did he request specific permissions from the king but he also made a point to meet with the governors along the way as he traveled to Jerusalem (v. 9). Once rested from the long journey he surveyed the damage to the outer walls at night. No leader with an agenda was there to dissuade him from the needs he saw by examining the breaches for himself. He gathered the people together, explained the security issues and expressed his gratitude to God for His provisions.  

God was with them in Jerusalem. The Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem recognized the hand of God and they agreed to begin the work. Whenever God’s work begins opposition arises. Nehemiah announced to opposition leaders — Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem — they had no claim on Jerusalem, neither from the king nor from God.