The Decision To Build The Walls

The Decision To Build The Walls

Nehemiah 2:17-18 NKJV

[17] Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” [18] And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

     The wall of Jerusalem was meant to act as protection to  the city and the temple. Today, a relic of the wall remain in Jerusalem, called the Western Wall. It still serves as a pilgrimage site for both Christians and Jews. That wall is a tangible reminder that what we are reading in the Bible are not fairy tsles.

     The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has this in its resource Library. " Over the course of the long and tumultuous history of the Holy City, Jerusalem has been conquered, destroyed, and rebuilt nine times by some of the greatest empires that ever existed, including the Babylonians who destroyed the First Temple and the Romans who destroyed the Second Temple. During these wars, as well as the Bar Kochba Revolt against the Roman Empire and the Maccabees’ war against the Greek Empire, Jewish soldiers fought for the sacred stones of their Holy Temple until their last breaths". The Western Wall is the closest they can get to the site of the old temple 

       The wall was a powerful symbol of Jewish national identity and connection to the land of Israel. It represented the enduring ties between the Jewish people and their homeland, even in periods of hardship and exile. Now it was time to rebuild it. Read Nehemiah's words again: "let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”  It didn't take a eulogy to mobilize the people. How do your people respond in times of emergency? Their response is an indication of their readiness to work. May God give us men like this....men focused to bring forth results, in Jesus Name. Good morning.

A Man Came To Seek The Welfare Of The People.

A Man Came To Seek The Welfare Of The People 

Nehemiah 2:9-10 NKJV

[9] Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. [10] When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel. 

    Your enemies will will hear of your turn around. They will change their mind. To have a turn around means, to have a positive change or improvement in your situation and circumstances. It is a shift from a difficult or challenging period to a more favorable one. It is not just a literal turnaround, like a physical rotation. Its the change in fortune, outlook, and or health. 

   Suddenly, the Amorites heard that a man came for the welfare of the people of Israel. Today, God will send you help and the enemy will hear about it. They won't only hear, they will see the detachment of the Kingdom soldiers sent to help. God has a way of celebrating His children when its breakthrough. Imagine the horsemen strolling around with Nehemiah. Imagine the angels flying around with you. Its time for breakthrough. 

     God may not send a crowd, but He will definitely send a man. Your case is so little that it needs a man. A man of influence is coming out out of your groins. His return will bring blessings and protection. Jehovah will do His work. Good morning.

The Request

The Request 

Nehemiah 2:5-8 NKJV

[5] And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” [6] Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. [7] Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, [8] and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.

     

     Someone says that " Leaders are ladders which others climb to get their desires". Our vignette appear to demonstrate this strongly. It brings to fore the selflessness of Nehemiah. He didn't need to bother himself with the returnees. He was in the King's service.  Selfless leaders do not think like that. A dictionary describes selflessness as disregarding your own advantages over the welfare of others. " If you're selfless, you think less about your self, and more about others — you're generous and kind. Being selfless is similar to being altruistic — another word for giving to others without looking for personal gain. If you give time, money, or things to other people without expecting something in return, that's selfless".

   Nehemiah had opportunity to ask for anything. What would you have asked?  What would an average Politician have asked? What would the average Preacher have asked? Those are rhetorical questions we need to digest before we speak.

   An Ai overview rubs in the details, " A selfless leader prioritizes the needs, well-being, and success of their team and organization above their own personal desires and ambitions. This means making decisions that benefit the collective, even if they might be unpopular or personally challenging. Selfless leaders focus on creating value for others, fostering trust, and inspiring their team to achieve shared goals". These words are deep descriptions of what our nations need all around the globe. 

    When he finally made the request, the house he was to occupy was the last thing. Youll notice he didn't even ask for things for himself. Note also, he was not going back permanently. He was given a time, on leave. This man reminds us of the decision of the Heaven's Divine council to send Jesus. He volunteered to come and be beaten to death,just to save us. What a request? Send me to die....He was born to die for us. Think about that.

    May God give us men. May our generation be the men God will depend on. May more altruistic men arise in our time and in our nations, in Jesus Name. Good morning.

what Do you Request?

What Do You Request?

Nehemiah 2:1-4 NKJV

[1] And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. [2] Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid, [3] and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” [4] Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 

   Its very instructive that a King of a heathen nation was able to notice the state of his worker. " Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” He was discerning to notice that its not sickness. Some bosses may struggle to recognize or address the personal or professional challenges their employees are facing. This King was different. Failure to notice what the Bible calls, 'the state of your flock'( Prov.27:23 ) could lead to a variety of negative outcomes for the workforce or membership in the church. These may  include reduced productivity, increased stress, and ultimately, higher employee turnover in the work place  or in the church. However, there are steps that can be taken to address these issues and foster a more supportive work environment. You don't have to go to Harvard for these. Neither did the King.

    This is Acts 20:28 " Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood". Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). This phrase encourages believers to be attentive and proactive in their responsibilities, mirroring God's care for His people. That's the biggest lesson from a heathen King. 

    How do you treat your staff? My Ai reports that some bosses are unaware of how to treat their staff because of: lack of communication, disconnect between leadership and staff,  lack of empathy or emotional intelligence,  focus on staff and metrics etc. The irony is that Ai might not have read our story. Sometimes, just pause and ask: What's your request? You'd be very surprised at the answers. Good morning.

Repentance And Favour Requested

Repentance And Favour Requested 

Nehemiah 1:5-6, 10-11 NKJV

[5] And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, [6] please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.....[10] Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. [11] O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.

     Nehemiah's prayer focused on two things: repentance and favour. First, repentance, which occupies a great amount of the utterance from the start. We have to admit that the reason we are connered is the result of our actions. We are left with no other choices than to repent. 

    Repentance is a change of mind and heart, a turning away from sin and wrongdoing, and a movement towards God.  It is recognizing and feeling sorrow for our actions, along with a commitment to change and act differently in the future. Nehemiah's prayers meets these standards. 

    Someone explains that repentance involves: sorrow for sin, change of mind, turning away from sin, turning towards God and a commitment to a lasting change. These steps are necessary to bring in the second badge of the prayer: favour to have the ability to go to Jerusalem and do things. If you've repented, go ahead and ask God for favour. Favour is not needed in heaven. It is useful here on earth. God is excited to favour us. Good morning.

Bad News From Jerusalem

'Bad News'From Jerusalem 

Nehemiah 1:1-4 NKJV

[1] The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, [2] that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. [3] And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” [4] So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

      Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporary figures. They lived and worked during the same period. Some scholars may debate the precise order of their arrival in Jerusalem. They both were active in restoring religious and societal life in Jerusalem after the exile. They are central to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which are often treated as a single narrative. Ezra is placed as arriving in Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes I (458 BC), and Nehemiah is placed as arriving in the twentieth year of the same king.(the gospelcoalition).

Their missions are believed to have overlapped, as they are both mentioned together in Nehemiah 8:9 and 12:26, 36. Have that in mind as we begin to discuss the book of Nehemiah.

     The temple was built, but the walls for protecting the city were broken down. Till today, you know Jerusalem by its walls. The city walls were a vital defence against enemies. It represented the strength of the people and the God they served. The rebuilding of the walls was a tangible demonstration of the people's commitment to rebuilding their lives and restoring their relationship with God. So when Nehemiah heard the news of the broken walls, it crushed him. May God cause men around you to receive the burdens to help complete the vision. May the help you need come from different quaters, in Jesus Name. It was bad news, but it really was good news. Good morning.

 

Focus On Leaders

Focus On Leaders

Ezra 10:18-21, 23-24 NKJV

[18] And among the sons of the priests who had taken pagan wives the following were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. [19] And they gave their promise that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they presented a ram of the flock as their trespass offering. [20] Also of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah; [21] of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah; 

[23] Also of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. [24] Also of the singers: Eliashib; and of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri...[44] All these had taken pagan wives, and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

      The enemy is very strategic. Its focus on breaking this law appear to have affected principal costudians of God's sacrifices and laws...the Priests, Levites before Community leaders.  Imagine the community that was now gradually being raised without God. In a few short decades, the worship of Jehovah would have fallen apart. This deceitful strategy is still at work today.

    Keith Thomas explains that the cornerstone of the enemy's success is deception. " Deception is a powerful tool of the enemy; in fact, you could say that it is the cornerstone of its operations. Satan is a master of fraud, and his big con is being perpetrated worldwide. He is the ultimate, clever conman deceiving the world and the Church. Scripture tells us that he deceives the whole world (Revelation 20:3)". The people thought they had  families. In actual fact, they had been set up for exterminating the worship of Jehovah. So there had to be a separation.

   When leaders are deceived by the devil it results in a whole range of negative consequences. In 1Tim.3:6-7, that deception is called the 'snare of the devil'. The only solution left is separation. Be careful who you plan to marry. Good morning.

Many Have Transgressed

Many Have Transgressed 

Ezra 10:13-14 NKJV

[13] But there are many people; it is the season for heavy rain, and we are not able to stand outside. Nor is this the work of one or two days, for there are many of us who have transgressed in this matter. [14] Please, let the leaders of our entire assembly stand; and let all those in our cities who have taken pagan wives come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of their cities, until the fierce wrath of our God is turned away from us in this matter.” 

    It had become popular to marry non Israelite contrary to the original  instructions commanded. In Deut. 7: 3-4, Isaac had given instructions not to intermarry with the Canaanites who sorrounded them lest they become corrupted by them. Here's someone's observation: " Isaac and Rebekah were grieved when their son Esau married the Hittite daughters and told Jacob to not marry a Canaanite or Hittite woman just like what his twin brother did and instead go to his uncle Laban's house and so he ended up marrying his two cousins".

    The departure from that original instructions brought the people to our read today. The mistakes had to be corrected. This matter was not a racial issue. It was ideological. Such marriage  would expose them to points of contention or debate that stems from deeply held beliefs, values, or philosophies, rather than from obeying  simple practical instructions. 

    In the New Testament , we've already pointed out that the same principle still operates. The Word discourages Christians from marrying non-believers, emphasizing the importance of being united with someone who shares faith and beliefs. 2 Cor.6:14-16 speaks of being "unequally yoked" and finding fellowship in light and righteousness, not darkness and unrighteousness. 

   Note the saying that many have transgressed.That means many had gone beyond the instructions. It may look hard by today's standards, but God is serious about His instructions to us. Do not marry an unbeliever. Period . Good morning.

Ezra Arose For Separations

Ezra Arose For Separations 

Ezra 10:4-5, 10 NKJV

[4] Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” [5] Then Ezra arose, and made the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear an oath that they would do according to this word. So they swore an oath....[10] Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel. 

    It's beautiful when a man acts alone. It fills our imagination for the great hero of folktales. Such men are very rare. The difference is that the heroes of our folklores are usually the tortoise, the hare or one of those  other animals.  In reality, there has to be acceptance, and leadership consultations have to be made to carry others along. That's how governments are run. So when others told Ezra to stop crying, and do something about the situation, a government was getting in place. Read v.4. Someone said the problem was Ezra's responsibility. Don't argue with the speaker. It was a way of expressing acceptance. 

    This is the report of my Ai on accepting leadership responsibilities. "Accepting leadership responsibilities means taking ownership and accountability for leading a team or organization. It involves making decisions, guiding others, and ensuring the well-being of the workforce, all while working towards shared goals. Leaders who accept responsibility are willing to take charge and be held accountable for the outcomes of their actions and decisions". My Ai was thinking of a workforce, think of Judah and Benjamin. If you never accepted this Priest as a People's, leader, now you have to.

   So Ezra arose to separate the families as the law required. It may look like a very brutal thing to do today, but the principles are still the same. Be ye Separate. It doesn't matter your emotions. When we blur the lines by emotions, we pay dearly later on in life. 

   It was during the rainy season. It took three days, but every male and husband reported in Jerusalem. There are moments of seriousness. This was it. When is yours? Ehen will you declare emergency with God? Good morning.

Beyond Remorse

Beyond Remorse: The Shechaniah Action 

Ezra 10:1-3 NKJV

[1] Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly. [2] And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this. [3] Now therefore, let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. 

      It is one thing to feel a sense of remorse at sin. Its a different thing to do something about it. We had a struggle whether to use the concept as regrets or remorse. My Ai did a good job. " Regret and remorse are similar emotions involving unhappiness about past actions, but they differ in their focus. Regret is primarily focused on a personal loss or disappointment, while remorse is centered on the harm caused to others. Regret can stem from a mistake, a bad decision, or simply a feeling that things could have been better, often leading to self-pity. Remorse, on the other hand, involves a deeper sense of guilt and a desire to make amends for the harm one has caused, often reflecting a moral compass that feels violated". If we feel regrets or remorse without doing something about it, there's a tendency to go back into it. Shechaniah was not going to keep quiet about it. So he addressed the people. 

    Prayer is good, but it must lead us to action to solve the problem. Here's an attempt to define the depth of the problem by a writer at INSPIRITEncourage. " Some regrets are missed experiences, like one who never married but always wanted a family - children and grandchildren. Some regrets are decisions. Decisions that we regret may have simply been the least bad option at the time that have now progressed beyond imagination (and out of control – which they always were out of our control). Other regretful decisions may have been blatantly made against God’s guidance. When we have a regret over decisions taken against God’s guidance, we wronged our God and need to ask forgiveness. The others are not sins, but weights of disappointment that we need help bearing. He will bear these weights with us when we ask (Matt 11:28-30)". We could go on.

    God desires a sorrow which produces "a repentance without regret, leading to salvation" (2 Cor. 7:10). Shechaniah was not going to take on only regrets. Join us tomorrow as we complete this segment. Good morning.

Be Ye Separate

Be Ye Seperate !

Ezra 9:1-4 NKJV

[1] When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. [2] For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.” [3] So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. [4] Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.

     This is my Ai report on the doctrine of separation."....(It) emphasizes the importance of setting oneself apart from sin, worldly influences, and false teachings to live a life pleasing to God. This doctrine is not about isolation but about discerning between good and evil and actively choosing to align oneself with God's truth". Separation is not a New Testament development. It's been part of effective relationship with God.

    Faith Community Church explains it further: " The principle of separation calls disciples of Jesus to use godly wisdom to see what is corrupt or polluted and to separate it from what is truth. Just as you wouldn’t drink water that you know has been contaminated by sewage, separate what is morally corrupt from your life as well". With this background, you will understand Ezra's reaction when he was informed of the life patterns of some returnees. It is for the sake of corruption that their parents were scattered. Now, it appears that they were back at it.

    As far as marriage is concerned, here are a few Biblical injunctions: 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 1 Cor. 5:11; Mat 25:32-46. We could go on drawing other examples from the old testament as well. Separation is a process of personal transformation, moving away from sin and unto holiness. It requires carefully evaluating the practices of self and others to ensure they align with word of God. Separation is not a negotiable option. The word is: be ye seperate. Good morning.