Rebuilding What Was Broken: A Call to Prayer, Purpose, and Perseverance

Be God's Glory
2 days ago
11 min read

Welcome to Day 125 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Nehemiah. The first four chapters of Nehemiah unveil a powerful story of leadership, prayerful dependence on God, and unwavering determination to rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls amidst opposition. Nehemiah, burdened by the disgrace of his homeland, responds with fasting and intercession before taking bold action. Granted favor by King Artaxerxes, he travels to Jerusalem, surveys the damage in secret, and rallies the people for the great task. As families unite to rebuild different sections of the wall, resistance rises from surrounding enemies, threatening to halt progress. Yet through faith, vigilance, and strategic defense, Nehemiah leads the people to press forward, teaching us the importance of trusting God in the face of trials and staying committed to the vision He places in our hearts.

Nehemiah 1: This chapter begins with Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king, receiving distressing news about the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem. This revelation deeply grieves him, prompting him to fast, mourn, and pray for days. His prayer is a heartfelt confession of Israel’s sins and a plea for God's mercy and faithfulness to His covenant. Nehemiah acknowledges both the nation’s disobedience and God's promise to restore His people if they return to Him. He concludes by asking for favor before the king, showing that he is preparing to take action. This chapter sets the spiritual tone of the book, emphasizing that restoration begins with repentance, prayer, and a heart aligned with God’s will.

Nehemiah 2: Nehemiah appears before King Artaxerxes with a sorrowful face, risking his position but finding favor with the king. When asked about his sadness, Nehemiah explains the ruin of Jerusalem, and after a quick silent prayer, he boldly requests permission to rebuild the city. The king not only grants his request but also provides letters for safe passage and resources. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah quietly surveys the damage at night to assess the situation firsthand. He then inspires the leaders and people to begin rebuilding, assuring them that God’s hand is upon him. This chapter highlights divine favor, courageous leadership, and strategic vision—all rooted in faith and preparation.

Nehemiah 3: Chapter 3 presents a detailed account of how the rebuilding project was organized, showing the unity and dedication of the people. Families, priests, goldsmiths, and merchants each took responsibility for specific sections of the wall, often working near their homes. This cooperative effort demonstrates that everyone, regardless of profession or status, had a role in the restoration of Jerusalem. Each gate and portion of the wall is listed with the names of those who repaired it, showing that God values both the work and the workers. The chapter reflects how shared vision and commitment can bring diverse people together to accomplish great things. It also emphasizes that God often uses ordinary people to fulfill extraordinary purposes.

Nehemiah 4: This chapter focuses on the intense opposition that arises as the wall begins to take shape. Sanballat and Tobiah mock and threaten the workers, hoping to discourage and derail the project. Nehemiah responds with prayer and posts guards to protect the people, encouraging them not to be afraid but to remember the greatness of God. The workers build with one hand and hold weapons with the other, remaining vigilant day and night. Despite fear and fatigue, the people stay committed because of Nehemiah’s leadership and their shared faith. This chapter teaches the importance of perseverance, spiritual warfare, and courage when facing opposition to God-given assignments.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Nehemiah is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name (Neḥemyāh), which means “Yahweh comforts” or “The Lord has comforted.” This meaning is fitting, as Nehemiah was raised up by God to bring restoration and encouragement to a broken and disheartened people in Jerusalem.

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of the Book of Nehemiah is to document the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile, and to highlight the spiritual and social reforms Nehemiah implemented among the returned exiles. It emphasizes themes of leadership, repentance, community restoration, covenant renewal, and faithful obedience to God’s law. Nehemiah shows how God uses faithful individuals to bring both physical and spiritual renewal, even in the face of great opposition.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The traditional view holds that Nehemiah himself is the author of the book, or at least of the memoirs within it. This is supported by the consistent first-person narrative style found throughout much of the text (e.g., Nehemiah 1:1–11, 2:1–20, 5:14–19). The book is often grouped with Ezra, and some scholars believe Ezra the scribe may have compiled and edited Nehemiah’s writings, possibly combining them with his own.

Biblical Evidence for Authorship:

Nehemiah 1:1 explicitly states, “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.”
First-person narration (e.g., “I prayed…” “I said to them…” in chapters 1–7 and 12–13) aligns with the style of a personal memoir.
Ezra and Nehemiah are often referred to together in texts such as Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7, which share genealogical lists, suggesting close collaboration or unified authorship/editing.

Extra-Biblical Support:

The Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) attributes the authorship of Nehemiah to Nehemiah himself but also mentions Ezra as a possible final compiler of both Ezra and Nehemiah.
Ancient Jewish tradition considers Ezra-Nehemiah as one literary work, supporting the theory that both figures were closely involved in its writing and preservation.

Key People:

Nehemiah – The central figure, cupbearer to the Persian king and governor of Judah, who led the wall’s reconstruction and reformation efforts.
Artaxerxes I – The Persian king who authorized Nehemiah’s mission to Jerusalem.
Ezra – The priest and scribe who plays a crucial role in the spiritual renewal and public reading of the Law.
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem – Enemies of Judah who opposed and mocked the rebuilding efforts, representing external opposition.
The Levites, priests, nobles, and common people – All played vital roles in rebuilding the wall and renewing the covenant.

Conclusion

The Book of Nehemiah is a powerful narrative of visionary leadership, godly courage, and community transformation. Through Nehemiah’s story, we see how prayer, planning, and perseverance can lead to great breakthroughs, even in hostile circumstances. The book concludes with reforms that address spiritual complacency and a renewed commitment to God's covenant. It stands as a timeless reminder that God restores His people when they turn to Him with humility, faith, and a willingness to act.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Nehemiah 1, God is revealed as faithful, covenant-keeping, and attentive to prayer. Nehemiah calls on the Lord as the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands. This shows God's relational nature and His justice—He holds His people accountable but is also merciful and responsive to genuine repentance. God listens to those who humble themselves, and He empowers those who align their hearts with His purposes.

Nehemiah refers to God as “Yahweh” (the LORD) and “El HaGadol v’HaNorah” — The Great and Awesome God (Nehemiah 1:5). This title emphasizes God’s majesty and His awe-inspiring nature. The lesson in this chapter teaches us that restoration begins with humble prayer and confession, and God desires that we return to Him with sincerity. He is not distant; He is attentive to the cries of His people and ready to respond with favor.

In Nehemiah 2, God is shown as a God of favor, providence, and bold empowerment. Although His name is not frequently repeated, His hand is clearly seen orchestrating the conversation between Nehemiah and King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah’s silent prayers reflect trust in a God who hears and intervenes in real-time. God is both sovereign over kings and close enough to respond to whispered prayers.

Though no specific Hebrew name of God is mentioned in this chapter, Nehemiah refers to “the gracious hand of my God” (2:8, 2:18)—a phrase that reflects the Hebrew concept of God’s providential favor. The lesson here is that when we walk in obedience and prayerful dependence, God opens doors no man can shut. He gives us courage to speak and supplies the resources needed to fulfill His mission.

In Nehemiah 3, God’s character is displayed through His inclusiveness, order, and ability to unify people for His purpose. Although God’s name is not directly mentioned, His work is evident in how diverse groups—priests, rulers, craftsmen, and families—come together in unity to rebuild the wall. This reflects God's nature as a God of community, structure, and shared responsibility. He values every person and every task when done for His glory.

The lesson in this chapter is that everyone has a role in the work of restoration, and no job is too small when done for God. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things when they are united with one purpose. We learn that obedience, teamwork, and diligence are sacred acts when they serve His kingdom.

In Nehemiah 4, God reveals Himself as a defender, strength-giver, and source of courage in the midst of opposition. As enemies mock and threaten the builders, Nehemiah turns to God in prayer, trusting Him for protection and justice. God empowers the people to keep building with one hand and defending with the other. He is not just a builder of walls—He is the shield around His people.

The key lesson in this chapter is that faith must be coupled with vigilance, and opposition is not a sign of failure, but of progress. When God gives a vision, He also provides the strength and strategy to overcome resistance. He calls us to watch and pray, relying on His protection while staying faithful to the work.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

What does Nehemiah 1 teach us about God’s responsiveness to prayer and repentance?
How is God’s faithfulness to His covenant people displayed in these chapters?
In what ways does God show that He is sovereign over earthly kings and authorities in Nehemiah 2?
How does God’s empowering presence give Nehemiah boldness to lead and speak?
What qualities of God can be seen through the unity and orderliness of the rebuilding in Nehemiah 3?
How does God demonstrate His protection and strength during times of opposition in Nehemiah 4?
How do these chapters show that God values both spiritual and practical work when done for His glory?

Questions About Themes:

How is the theme of prayer and dependence on God developed throughout these four chapters?
What role does leadership play in the success of the wall-building effort?
How is unity in community shown as a theme in the rebuilding process in Nehemiah 3?
What do these chapters teach us about overcoming opposition through faith and strategy?
How does the importance of vision and preparation appear in Nehemiah’s actions?
In what ways does God’s favor and provision help advance His purposes in Nehemiah 2?
How do these chapters reveal the theme of obedience and perseverance in the face of resistance?

Reflective Application Questions:

When faced with a burden like Nehemiah, do you respond with prayer and fasting—or with action first?
Are there areas in your life that need rebuilding? How can you invite God into that process?
What practical steps can you take to be more like Nehemiah—a leader who seeks God first?
Who is helping you “build the wall” in your life or ministry, and how are you working together?
How do you respond when opposition or discouragement arises? Do you turn to God or grow weary?
What role does personal prayer play in how you make decisions and handle challenges?
In what way is God calling you to stand firm, stay faithful, and trust Him despite adversity?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans