Editorial: Lessons for Us from Nehemiah
The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by the remnant who returned from Babylonian exile is a wonderful success story. The remnant, under the direction of Nehemiah (cupbearer to King Artexerxes), accomplished the task despite great obstacles and opposition. The reasons for their success serve to teach us some very important lessons. In this article, we wish to make application regarding that success to the current needs facing the people of God in our time. The compassion of Nehemiah. Nehemiah had received word of the sorry state of those Israelites who had escaped captivity, and remained in Jerusalem. Of them it was said, “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” (Nehemiah 1:3). Nehemiah heard of their distress: “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” (1:4).