Nehemiah 2
BBCNehemiah 2:1
B. Authorization for Jerusalem’s Restoration (2:1-8)2:1-3 It was three or four months before Nehemiah’s faith was rewarded in a most unexpected way. One day when he was serving wine . . . to the king, his face betrayed his sorrow of heart. The king’s question brought on a wave of fear, for sadness was not allowed in the royal presence (Est_4:2). Williams notes: Eastern monarchs being in daily dread of poison, any appearance of agitation in the cup-bearer would be regarded as especially suspicious. But Nehemiah meant no harm to the king. The cause of his sorrow was the desolation of Jerusalem, his ancestral home. 2:4, 5 Nehemiah’s prayerful dependence upon the Lord was not in vain. Not only did the king give him what he requested, he also made him governor of Judah (Neh_5:14). Artaxerxes’ decree fulfilled the word of the Lord to Daniel (Dan_9:25), even as the earlier decree of Cyrus had fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jer_29:10; Ezra 1). 2:6-8 In answer to the king’s question, Nehemiah told him how long he expected to be away. As it turned out, Nehemiah was away from Persia for at least twelve years (Neh_5:14). In all of this Nehemiah acknowledged the good hand of God upon him.
Nehemiah 2:9
C. Reconstruction of Jerusalem’s Wall (2:96:19)1. Private Inspection and Public Opposition (2:9-20)2:9-16 Along with the king’s official letters, Artaxerxes sent an armed escort with Nehemiah. Shortly after he came to Jerusalem, the new governor surveyed his capital under cover of darkness in order to attract as little attention as possible and to keep his plans secret. He knew it was imperative that the walls be repaired if the city was to survive. At one place the rubble was so deep that his mount could not pass. 2:17-20 Later he called the leaders together, told them what needed to be done, and encouraged them by relating how the hand of the Lord had been with him so far, and also of the king’s words. The Jews were excited and ready to begin. Their enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, scoffed and tried to stop the building project by raising the false cry of “rebellion against the king.” But Nehemiah was not intimidated; the God of heaven had promised success. The people were united, and that is necessary if God is going to bless (Psa_133:1-3).