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Nehemiah Accomplishes the “Impossible”
This chapter is based on Nehemiah 2; 3; and 4.
The royal letters to the governors of the provinces along Ne-
hemiah’s route obtained prompt assistance for him. No enemy dared
give trouble to the official guarded by the power of the Persian king!
However, his arrival in Jerusalem with a military escort, showing
that he had come on some important mission, sparked the jealousy
of heathen tribes who had often heaped injury and insult on the
Jews. Leading out in this evil work were certain chiefs of these
tribes, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. They watched Nehemiah
with critical eyes and tried to obstruct and hinder his work.
Knowing that bitter enemies stood ready to oppose him, Ne-
hemiah concealed his mission from them until he could study the
situation and form his plans. He hoped to set the people at work
before his enemies knew what was happening.
Choosing a few men whom he knew, Nehemiah told them what
he wanted to accomplish and the plans he proposed. He enlisted
their interest and assistance at once.
On the third night after his arrival Nehemiah rose at midnight
and went out with a few trusted companions to view the ruins of
Jerusalem. On his mule, he passed from one part of the city to an-
other, surveying the brokendown walls and gates of the city. Painful
thoughts filled his sorrowful heart as he gazed on the shattered de-
fenses of Jerusalem. Memories of Israel’s past greatness stood in
sharp contrast with the evidences of her humiliation.
In secrecy and silence Nehemiah completed his circuit. “And
the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I
had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or
the others who did the work.” The remainder of the night he spent
in prayer, for the morning would call for earnest effort to rally his
dispirited countrymen.
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