Lesson 446 - Junior

Memory Verse

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men"  (Colossians 3:23).

Notes

Return to Jerusalem

At last Nehemiah reached Jerusalem, the city, which God had chosen as a place of worship for His people. We remember that Nehemiah had prayed about this city, and God had answered his prayer by allowing him to return. The king had given Nehemiah an escort of horses and soldiers. He had used the letters of the king, which gave him permission to cross the lands beyond the river.

We know little of Nehemiah's journey, but we do know that when one has the work of the Lord on his heart, the strain and tiredness of a long trip seem to be forgotten. Nehemiah had a purpose in his heart to do a definite work for the Lord. No doubt, he was excited as his caravan came into sight of Jerusalem and the new Temple, which had been built since the Jews had been taken captive.

A Night Trip

After three days Nehemiah set about on his mission. At night, with a few friends, he rode out on a secret trip to see for himself the condition of the city walls. Usually the gates to the city were closed at night, but now the walls were broken down and the gates burned.

Nehemiah left the city by the gate of the valley and rode around the city. He found it as reported. In one place, at the Gihon pool, there was so much rubbish that there was not room to ride. Before returning to the city, Nehemiah rode across the brook Kidron and from the hill looked over the walls of Jerusalem. No doubt the view caused Nehemiah to be sad. Many years later Jesus, too, stopped on a hill and looked over the city. Jesus wept over the people of the city because they had rejected Him and His salvation ([LUK:19:41-44]). Jesus had told the people that the city would be desolate. He said: "How often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" ([MAT:23:37]). It was over this same brook Kidron that Jesus and His disciples later crossed on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was betrayed ([JHN:18:1]).

Cooperation

None of the rulers knew of Nehemiah's plan or his night mission. He gathered the Jewish leaders together. He reminded them of the ruins and the distress they were in. Nehemiah also inspired them to work. He said "Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem." This was work for more than one man. Nehemiah told them how God had been with him and how the king had given his permission and help. The people caught the spirit of Nehemiah and were willing to cooperate with him. They said, "Let us rise up and build."

Rubbish

Sometimes it is a good thing to look over one's life and realize his condition. A sinner must first recognise his sinful state before he sees the need to call upon God for forgiveness. If one does not feel that his spiritual walls are in ruin and his life is full of rubbish, how can he even know his need of a clean, holy way of living? Have you looked over your spiritual walls? Has sin and neglect broken them down and let rubbish collect? If so may these words of God's people cause you to do something about it "Let us rise up and build."

First of all, things that hinder must be put out of the way: sin, hate, hard feelings, lies, pride, self righteousness, and anything else which will keep you from God. As one prays, repents and confesses his sins, the Blood of Jesus will blot out the rubbish. When one has made restitution and straightened up his past wrongs, the building has already started.

Opposition

When God's people begin a good work, Satan tries to hinder them. This time, when the children of Israel began to rebuild the wall, Sanballat and Tobiah led the opposition. At first they were grieved that anyone should try to help the children of Israel. They made fun of them with scoffs and insults. They said, "What do these feeble Jews?" They mocked the Jews and said that the wall was so weak, if a fox ran against it he could break it.

Working Together

The Children of Israel kept on building the wall, saying, "The God of heaven, he will prosper us." Each family was assigned to a portion of the wall to build. They worked hard, and soon half the wall was joined together, "for the people had a mind to work."

In building for eternity the people of God must work together and help each other. They must have a purpose in view, and a mind to work. Paul taught that we are "workers together" with the Lord ([1CO:6:1]). He explained that all are members of one body, and one part cannot say there is no need for another part ([1CO:12:18-21]). Paul, using an Illustration of working together, with the Word of God as seed, said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" ([1CO:3:6]).

To Watch and Pray

The ridicule of the enemy did not hinder God's work. Sanballat and Tobiah began to plan how they could oppose the children of Israel by fighting. But the children of Israel prayed and "set a watch." They not only prayed for God's help but they also did their part.

Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation ([MAT:26:41]). The Apostle Paul warned the people to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" ([COL:4:2]). God's people are told, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" ([1CO:16:13]).

Encouragement

Some of the people became discouraged. They heard the enemies' plan. They were tired as they looked at all the work: the rubbish to carry away and the building to be done. Their neighbours encouraged them saying, "Be not ye afraid . . . remember the Lord." Many times we can speak a word to encourage our neighbours. We can use the Word of God to help them. God promised, "Fear thou not; . . . I will strengthen thee" ([ISA:41:10]) and, "I will be with thee" ([ISA:43:2]).

The people of God worked long hours, "from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared." They worked together, some watching, prepared to fight, while others built the wall. Those who carried materials and those who built worked together. "Every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon." They said, "Our God shall fight for us," and He did.

Completed

The wall was finished in 52 days, in spite of the opposition of Sanballat and Tobiah and their sneaky ways. God helped the children of Israel and their leaders. They all worked together for one purpose " God's work. They finished what they had started and the people "perceived that this work was wrought of our God."

Questions

1. Why did Nehemiah want to return to Jerusalem?

2. What sights did he see as he rode around the city?

3. Why did Nehemiah ask the people to help?

4. Before building the wall, what had to be done?

5. What two men were leaders in opposing Nehemiah?

6. How did they try to discourage the Children of Israel?

7. Why did the Children of Israel "set a watch"

8. Who fought for the Children of Israel?

9. How long did it take to build the wall?

10. Name three reasons why the Children of Israel were successful in building the wall.