2 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Nehemiah was employed by King Artaxerxes. It is not stated how long he was working in the palace as a cupbearer (bartender), but it seems he has been there long enough that the king notices something about his appearance was different.
2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
Nehemiah's feeling of what was going on in Jerusalem was apparently noticeable to the king so much so, that the king asked him what was wrong? After being asked what was bothering him, Nehemiah became afraid.
3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
Let the king live forever is a royal greeting. Forever is also how long God intends for all to live and will live. We choose where we can live. Nehemiah's response to the king is my people are hurting and I am saddened.
4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven
The king asks a question. Nehemiah pauses and prays.
5 And I said unto the king, If it pleases the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
Then Nehemiah asks for permission to leave and go to Judah, his homeland, to help with building what is needed.
6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
The king asks Nehemiah while sitting close to his wife, how long do you need off and will you return? Nehemiah told the king how much time he needed and the king was pleased to let him leave. Hearing the king ask Nehemiah, will you be back? caught my attention. It seemed that some Jews showed that they were well respected and respected by the king.
7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
Nehemiah also asked for the request granted to be put in writing; so that it will be easier to explain, in case he was stopped by any officials.
8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Nehemiah made his request known. The king granted him all he desired. When we pray having thought things out, we can make our request and God will hear and answer.
9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
Nehemiah asked for letters and permission to leave and the king added captains of the army and horsemen who were his security while carrying out his assignment. God will give us more than what we ask for if we are working on his behalf.
10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
When Sanballat (hornet stinger) and Tobiah his aide, heard of Nehemiah's leaving, they were extremely upset that he was coming to help with the problems in Judah. When the enemy hears of what God is doing in your life, he does what enemies do. So do not think it is strange when you're on your job, doing what God has for you, the enemy will also be on his.
11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
Nehemiah made it to Jerusalem and stayed three days. Perhaps he rested and thought more of how he would be carrying things out.
12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
After the three-day stay, Nehemiah got up at night, with a few men with him, and he carried out what God put in his heart to do in Jerusalem. He did not say anything to anyone about what God told him. Nehemiah's beast he rode upon was the only beast he took with him.
13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
God told Nehemiah to leave at night, go in a certain direction and look at what needs to be done. How do I know this? Because this is what he was doing.
14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
Because Nehemiah's beast was unable to fit under the place he wanted to pass, he left the beast in that location and walked. He did not allow what the beast could not do to stop him from what he had to do.
15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
Nehemiah completed looking at what was needed to be repaired and went back to Jerusalem.
The first thing God wants us to do is to assess the problem.
16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
No one knew of Nehemiah's assessment, but God.
17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
After viewing what needed to be done, Nehemiah gave orders. Once we determine what needs to be done, do it.
18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
Nehemiah told them about God; he also told them the words of the king. The workers listened and said let us arise and build. They prepared themselves for this good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
The enemies of Nehemiah who also are the enemies of God increased by one. They laughed and they were furious at the same time. When an enemy laughs, it is not a show that he is happy. People who live without God are not happy. Watch the pattern of the enemy. They are unstable. This is what they did: Laugh to scorn, despised the workers of God, and asked what are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king? There is no sound interest in the good of these statements, actions, or questions.
20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah heard from God and only spoke the things of God. The enemy had a question and Nehemiah gave an answer. We will complete what God told us to do, you have no right in this matter and you have nothing to do with what is going on in Jerusalem.
My Song In A Minute
Nehemiah
Nehemiah saw a problem
And he wanted it fixed
He prayed to the Lord
And said what about this?
God used the king
To lend him a helping hand
God said the walls that fell
Will stand up again
The enemy came
With a few words to say
Laughing and railing
While standing in the way
Nehemiah knew
The right time to speak
He said our God is strong
I ain’t got time for the weak
Do you see this wall?
That’s lying in waste
If you didn’t come to build it up
Get out of my way!
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