Category: Scripture

So on October 2 the wall was finished-just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had ben done with the help of our God.

During those fifty-two days, many letter went back and forth between Tobiah and the nobles of Judah. For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him because of his father-in-law was Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of Mehsulam son of Berekiah. They kept tellin me about Tobiah’s good deeds, and they told him everything I said. And Tobiah kept sending threatening letters to intimidate me. (vv. 15-19, NLT)

Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem met the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained-though we had not yet set up the doors in the gaits. So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.

But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop and come to meet with you?”(vv. 1-3, NLT)

Later I sent to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bold the doors shut. Your enemies are come to kill you tonight.”

But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temper to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophesy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse me and discredit me.

Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried ti intimidate me. (vv. 10-15, NLT)

For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah-from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes- neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. The former governors, by contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.

I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servant to spend time working on the wall. I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! The provisions I paid for each day included one ox. six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.

Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it. (vv. 14-19, NLT)

The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand by the guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, whois great and glorious, and fight for your brothers , your sons, your daughters , your wivse, and your homes!”

When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we al returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on with their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm. (vv. 10-18, NLT)

Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews and the Samarian army officers. “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews thing they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think we can make something of the stones from that rubbish heap-and charred ones at that?

Tobiah the Amorite, who was standing beside him remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!

Then I prayed. “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked You to anger here in front of the builders.” (vv. 1-5, NLT)

So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark, I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burnt gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up to the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. (vv 1-15, NLT)

But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been o me, and about my conversation with the king.

They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab hear of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.

I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. we, His servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem. (vv. 17-20, NLT)

Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”

Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it pleases the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

The king with the queen sitting beside him, asked “How long will you be gone?” When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gon, the king agreed to my request.

I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manage of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make the beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and a house for myself.” And the king granted me these requests , because the gracious hand of God was on me. (vv. 1-8, NLT)

In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’s reign, I was in the fortress of Susa. Hanani, on the my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days, I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. (vv. 1-4, NLT)

“The people you rescued by Your great power and strong hand are Your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring You. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put into his heart to be kind to me.”

In those days, I was the king’s cup-bearer. ((vv. 10-11, NLT)

Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the king (Artaxerxes) want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! And praise Him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and al his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the lord my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem. (vv 27-28, NLT)

Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues complied at once with the command of King Darius. So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preachings of prophets Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Ataxeres, the kings of Persia. The temple was completed on March 12, during the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.

The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile. (vv. 13-16, NLT)