Nehemiah chapter three is one of those chapters that we are prone to skip over because of all of the names. I pray that you don't do this in your reading. As we read and apply the text to our lives today (Rom. 15:4), whether or not we pronounce the names correctly isn't the point. The point is to understand what was happening and how this affected the nation of Judah.

First, we see that when Nehemiah encouraged the people to “build up the wall of Jerusalem,” the people responded by saying, “let us rise up and build” (Neh. 2:17-18)! Nehemiah three records that these people were more than just “talk”! They went into action! They didn’t allow days and months to go by before they started. They started repairing the walls immediately!

A second thing we see is that these people did the work in pieces that could be handled by each respective family. One family didn’t rebuild one-half of the wall or take on more than they could handle. Each family took a section that they could handle and began the work! There was much to do, and as the old saying goes, “Many hands make for light work.” This was the case here. All the people united in a common goal and made the work much easier to handle.

Nehemiah 3:12 mentions the fact that Shallum’s daughters worked with their father to help rebuild the walls. I think this is significant. These daughters deserve special praise for the work they did in helping to finish a job that God wanted them to do.

I hope that these statements will stir our minds to make applications to ourselves. No, we don’t have a wall to rebuild, but we do have work to do in God’s kingdom (I Cor. 15:58). We have daily work that needs to be done, and we need to make the effort! It’s one thing to “talk” about what needs to be done in the Lord’s kingdom, and it’s quite another thing to do it (Jas. 2:18-26)! Examine yourself, friend. Are you active in the Lord’s service, or are you just good at pointing out what needs to be done? Don’t be like the Pharisees (Matt. 23:3-4)!

Similarly, let’s remember that we all have work to do in the Lord’s kingdom (Gal. 6:9). It’s not laid at the feet of the preacher or elders or deacons alone. Yes, these men have work to be done in God’s kingdom just as everyone else does! We mustn’t shirk our duties, though, thinking someone else will do them. Our lack of action may be the point of weakness that Satan needs to tear down and destroy a life, or a family, or a church! Don’t be the weak link!

Just as Shallum’s daughters went out and worked as the sons did, let’s remember that in Christ, we are all one (Gal. 3:28). Yes, we have different roles to fulfill at times, but everyone who is a child of God is loved and respected by God and needs to be busy in His work! Far from being misogynistic, Paul speaks highly of his sisters in Christ. Let’s encourage our sisters and our brothers in the Lord to do the work God demands.

You won’t get out of this world alive, but you can leave this world ready for the next. Are you ready (II Cor. 6:2)? What do you need to do to get ready (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)? Do as the Jews in Nehemiah’s day did (Neh. 3). Stop wasting time and get busy with the Lord’s work!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

This may seem like an odd title at first, but I believe it describes Nehemiah’s actions appropriately. Nehemiah’s occupation was cupbearer to Artaxerxes (Neh. 1:11). This work required him to be a trusted person, but also one who was closest to the king not only physically, but emotionally. He and the king were friends in a sense. R.A. Torrey describes it this way, “The office of cup-bearer was one of great trust, honour, and emolument, in the Persian court. To be in such a place of trust he must have been in the king's confidence; for no eastern potentate would have a cup-bearer to whom he could not trust his life, poison being often administered in that way. It was an office much desired, because it gave access to the king in those seasons of hilarity when men are most disposed to grant favours” (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge).

There came a day, though, when Nehemiah saw he had to do something else. Jerusalem’s walls lay in ruins (Neh. 1:3), and it seemed no one else would take up the responsibility to repair those walls. Therefore, Nehemiah took it upon himself to lead the people in this work. He prayed to God about it (1:4-11, 2:4), and then requested “time off’ from his job to go and help the people (Neh. 2:5-6). The king consented to this, and Nehemiah went to Jerusalem (2:6-11).

Nehemiah then worked to lead the people and get them to do the work of rebuilding the walls (Neh. 2:17-18, 3:1-6:15). In fifty-two days, the walls were repaired, and the gates were attached! The work had been accomplished in spite of ridicule they faced, the physical threats, and attempts to get Nehemiah to compromise. Not to mention the internal issues (Neh. 5), and the general unrest at times when people were scared of the enemy or just frustrated because of the work. Despite all of this, we see success and happiness when the work was completed. Nehemiah, the “Tirshatha” (governor, Neh. 7:65, 70, 8:9, 10:1), had led the people, and they were blessed.

I hope that we can already see the comparison between Nehemiah and Christ. Just as Nehemiah, Christ was sent to do a job (Jn. 3:16; Heb. 3:1b). The One described as “in the bosom of the Father” or “in the closest fellowship with the Father” (Jn. 1:18, KJV, NET) was sent to this earth because men’s lives were in ruins and no one else could repair this problem (Jn. 10:10; Rom. 3:23, 5:6-8). Christ came to this world and led the people to the truth (Jn. 14:6). Even though Christ had the plan, each person must follow it on his own (Mk. 16:16; Rev. 22:14, 17; Jas. 2:24). As Nehemiah had a title, so also Jesus wears the title of King (Jn. 18:33-37; I Tim. 6:15)!

Like Nehemiah, Christ endured ridicule, physical threats, and hatred for what He did (Matt. 16:21; Lk. 6:11, 15:2; Jn. 7:1, 11:47-54; etc.). Unlike Nehemiah, however, Christ died for what He did, and saved not merely Jerusalem or the Jews, but saved the world (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 5:9)!

What beautiful foreshadowing we see in Nehemiah! When we read the book and marvel at Nehemiah's words and actions, let’s make sure we also see Christ.

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

Only once in the book of Nehemiah does he refer to his work in the king’s court. Nehemiah does not have a “regular” job. His job is exceptional because, among other things, it places him in the king’s presence daily. He has been bestowed with a very honorable and trusted position. To be the king’s cupbearer is equivalent to being his food-taster! To work in this capacity means he could be trusted with the king’s life! R.A. Torrey describes it this way, “The office of cup-bearer was one of great trust, honour, and emolument, in the Persian court. To be in such a place of trust he must have been in the king's confidence; for no eastern potentate would have a cup-bearer to whom he could not trust his life, poison being often administered in that way. It was an office much desired, because it gave access to the king in those seasons of hilarity when men are most disposed to grant favours” (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge).

The term “cupbearer” is not found anywhere else in the Bible, but we see a description of the same work when we read about the “chief butler” who worked for the Pharaoh in the book of Genesis. We remember that while in prison, he had a dream about doing his job. Notice how closely this resembles the work of a cupbearer (Gen. 40:9-13). Again, this was a position of trust. This trust would mean something when the chief butler finally remembers Joseph after two years and refers him to the Pharaoh as a man capable of interpreting his dreams (Gen. 41:9-14).

A cupbearer had access to the king daily and was considered to have the king’s favor. Thus, when the king notices the look of sadness on Nehemiah’s face (2:2), it was a genuine concern that prompted the king to ask why Nehemiah was sad. He was a loyal subject, and the king was concerned. Further, as we read chapter two, and learn how the king granted Nehemiah’s request to leave and for the supplies he would need in travel, we see that this was a man ready to help a trusted servant. Indeed, a man whom he can trust with his life can be trusted with the work Nehemiah proposes to do in Jerusalem (Neh. 2:6-9)!

In thinking about this event, let us look into God’s mirror (Jas. 1:22-25). Are you a person that can be trusted by others? Can God trust you? Why or why not? Trust is a precious and valuable thing. It is hard to acquire and easy to break. Who among us wants to be considered untrustworthy?

There is an old saying that trust is earned, and this is correct. How is it obtained? We learn to trust others as we hear their words, and as we observe what they do. What has God seen in you? Are you showing yourself to be a trustworthy disciple of the Lord (Jn. 8:31-32)? Are you faithful in your actions (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10)? If not, why not? We have the opportunity to serve Someone more magnificent than the king of Persia! We can serve the King of Kings (I Tim. 6:15)! Are you going to take up that work? Become a Christian today and make the decision you will never regret (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

Do you believe in prayer? Do you think prayer is powerful? Would you agree with James that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16)? I know a man who believed wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. His name is Nehemiah.

On several occasions in the book of the same name, Nehemiah was involved in prayer and in speaking to God (1:4, 6, 11, 2:4, 4:4, 4:9, 13:14, 22, 31). Nehemiah knew that if he was going to get anything done, he needed to make sure he was communicating with the God of Heaven!

A casual reading of the passages above shows us that Nehemiah prayed to God to confess sins and ask for forgiveness. He also prayed to God for help in times of need. He was a man who was acquainted with God and made talking to God a priority! As we read this book, we will see that such a prayer life was vital to his survival, as well as the survival of the people in Jerusalem.

What kind of a prayer-life do you have? How often do you pray? I hope you are not like George Bailey (It’s A Wonderful Life), who said he was not a “praying man.” Worse, I hope you are not like Charlie Anderson (Shenandoah), who bowed his head and said, “Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvest it. We cook the harvest. It wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't be eating it if we hadn't done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we're about to eat, amen.”

Instead, let us learn from Nehemiah (Rom. 15:4). His example shows us how we ought to be. He led the people and helped to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem in fifty-two days (Neh. 6:15)! This was not done without God’s help. Instead, it was done by God’s power! Not only did Nehemiah pray for God’s blessing through it all, but when the work was done, prayers still ascended! Nehemiah 9:4-38, for example, is a prayer offered to God by the Levites who were in the city and had gathered the people to read God’s word and to repent of sins committed through the years. In the final chapter of this book, we read of three occasions where Nehemiah asks God to remember him (13:14, 22, 31)!

Prayer is a powerful weapon in our arsenal (Eph. 6:18)! When suffering, let us pray (Jas. 5:13, 16)! When tempted, pray (I Cor. 10:13)! When we are grateful, pray (Ps. 110:4: Col. 3:15; I Thess. 5:18)! Let us be like Nehemiah and “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

After Haman’s plans for killing the Jews, including Esther, were revealed (Est. 7:6), things moved very quickly. Mordecai’s enemy ended up hanging from the gallows he had made for him (v. 10). Not only this, but the ring Haman once wore was given to Mordecai (Est. 8:2). The position once held by Haman, Mordecai now held. The entire population of Jews, once oppressed, were allowed weapons and to have a fair fight against the Persians (Est. 8:11-12, 9:2-3). Yes, God in His providence caused a complete reversal in the plans of Haman “the enemy of the Jews.”

This is not the only time we read about this happening. When Jesus spoke about the eternal destiny of the rich man and Lazarus, we find another time when things were reversed (Lk. 16:19-31). Specifically, Abraham reminds the rich man, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented” (v. 25). Upon analyzing the context, we see many “reversals” that took place between the rich man and Lazarus. Just like Haman and Mordecai, many things changed between them. I marvel at this because perhaps those five brothers he left behind thought of their brother as a godly man and one bound for eternal bliss. God knew what was going on “behind the scenes,” and this man got what he deserved. In reality, the rich man and Lazarus experienced a true reversal from what they had experienced on earth.

The most significant reversal of all was the reversal Christ performed when He made salvation possible through His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 26:28; Col. 1:14, 20; Heb. 9:28; I Jn. 2:2; Rom. 6:2-6, 16-18; I Pet. 3:21). Satan thought that he had won. He had succeeded in tempting the first people to sin (Gen. 3:1-6). They sinned, and we have had to live with the consequences on this earth ever since (Gen. 3:16-24). Satan then tempted Cain (Gen. 4:1-11), Abraham (Gen. 12, 20), Moses (Num. 20), David (II Sam. 11-12), and every other man and woman on earth (Rom. 3:23)! He succeeded in getting humanity to sin and to jeopardize their souls before God.

Satan seemed to be winning until Christ came to earth! At that time, we see a reversal taking place. Christ was tempted like others, but did not yield (Matt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-13; Heb. 4:15). He “did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (I Pet. 2:22). Furthermore, when He died, He did not die in sin but died to be a sacrifice for others’ sins (I Pet. 3:18). Where Adam brought death, we see that Christ brings life (I Cor. 15:22). Yes, a complete reversal is possible in Christ!

Are you ready for a new beginning? Are you ready for “light, and gladness, and joy, and honor” (Est. 8:16)? Spiritually, you can have these things by following the Lord and doing what He says. Become a Christian (Acts 11:26; Mk. 16:16). Live faithfully for the Lord (I Cor. 15:58), and you can look forward to Heaven (another reversal from life on earth) when this life is over (Matt. 25:34)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs