Nehemiah

The book of Nehemiah commences in the 20th year of Artaxerxes—a very important date, for it begins the 70 weeks of Daniel (Dan. 9:25). In that year the command to build and restore Jerusalem was given to Nehemiah (Neh. 1-2). Again, the enemy tried to hinder the work, for these were troublous times. There were enemies not only without, but also within. With a weapon in one hand, they built with the other (Neh. 4:17) until the work was complete, for it was wrought by God (Neh. 3-6).
For twelve years Nehemiah governed (Neh. 5:14), during which time he was diligent in addressing the grievances of the people. Usury was condemned, and mortgaged lands and property were restored (Neh. 5). In the ninth chapter they bind themselves by a covenant, only to prove again that there is no power within man to keep that which he promises. At the end of the twelve years, after a brief visit to Artaxerxes (Neh. 13:6), Nehemiah returns to find the enemy dwelling within the courts of the house of God, the Levites neglected, the Sabbath violated, and the people again united with the strangers of the land (Neh. 13:7-28). Such is the continual failure of the first Adam—fully proven at Calvary.