The Importance of Building A Wall • Sunday Service

The Importance of Building A Wall • Sunday Service

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The answer to why it was important to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls is found in Nehemiah 1:3.
Some Jews who visited Jerusalem returned to Persia and reported to Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer. The men said, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
After the Babylonian Captivity, a remnant of the Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Ezra. These returned exiles had rebuilt the temple, but they were now in need of protection. The lack of fortified walls around the city left the people defenseless against enemies. Weather, wild animals, opposing people, and other opponents could easily enter and cause “great trouble” to the people.

According to the report Nehemiah received, the remnant in Jerusalem was shamed. A city with broken walls revealed a defeated people. The Jews who had returned to their homeland were both in unsafe conditions and humiliated at living in a destroyed city. In Nehemiah 2:17, Nehemiah told the Jewish leaders, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”
Also, the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls would show God’s blessing upon His people again. Nehemiah quoted God’s words to Moses in his prayer, saying, “If you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name” (Nehemiah 1:9).

Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was an important sign to the enemies of Israel. Nehemiah told their enemies, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it” (Nehemiah 2:20).
And rebuilding the walls showed that God was with His people. Upon the completion of the walls, Nehemiah wrote, “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16).
The destruction of Jerusalem’s walls left its people exposed to great trouble and shame. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was important because it revealed God’s blessing, served as a sign to Israel’s enemies, and showed God was with His people.

let's go through each chapter of the Book of Nehemiah in greater detail:

**Chapter 1: Nehemiah's Prayer**
- In this chapter, Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, hears about the distressing condition of Jerusalem and its broken walls.
- Nehemiah's immediate response is one of deep concern and grief. He weeps, mourns, fasts, and prays to God for forgiveness for his people's sins and for guidance on how to address the situation.
- This chapter serves as an introduction to Nehemiah's character, his strong connection to his homeland, and his reliance on prayer as he seeks God's direction.

**Chapter 2: Nehemiah's Commission**
- Nehemiah, still in the king's service, looks visibly sad. When the king inquires about the reason, Nehemiah explains his concern for Jerusalem.
- Remarkably, King Artaxerxes grants Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city's walls. The king even provides him with letters for safe passage and resources.
- Nehemiah's commission serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, as He uses even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes.

**Chapter 3: The Wall's Construction**
- This chapter provides a detailed account of the people and groups who participated in rebuilding different sections of Jerusalem's wall.
- The lists of builders and their contributions underscore the unity and cooperation among the Israelites. Families, priests, and even rulers are involved in the construction.
- It emphasizes that rebuilding the wall was a collective effort, reflecting the importance of unity and teamwork among God's people.

**Chapter 4: Opposition and Perseverance**
- As the wall construction progresses, Sanballat, Tobiah, and other enemies of the Jews become increasingly hostile. They mock and ridicule the builders, seeking to discourage them.
- Nehemiah responds with prayer and encourages the people to stay vigilant and continue their work. He sets up a system of defense and assigns armed guards.
- This chapter illustrates the reality of opposition and adversity in pursuing God's work but also highlights the importance of perseverance, prayer, and trusting in God's protection.

**Chapter 5: Nehemiah Addresses Social Injustice**
- In this chapter, Nehemiah addresses internal issues of social injustice among the Jewish community. Some were exploiting their fellow Jews through loans and exorbitant interest rates, leading to financial hardships.
- Nehemiah rebukes the oppressors, urging them to return what they had taken and charging them to live in a way that pleases God.
- This chapter demonstrates Nehemiah's commitment to justice and fairness, emphasizing the need for God's people to care for the marginalized and vulnerable.

**Chapter 6: Completing the Wall**
- Nehemiah faces further opposition in the form of deceitful schemes, designed to lure him away from Jerusalem or discredit him.
- Despite these attempts, Nehemiah remains resolute in his mission. He discerns the deceit and continues to lead the people in completing the wall.
- The wall is eventually finished in an astonishing 52 days, a testament to the determination and trust in God's providence.

Each chapter of Nehemiah offers valuable lessons, including the importance of prayer, God's providence, unity, perseverance, justice, and leadership. In a sermon, you can emphasize these themes and how they apply to the lives of your congregation today, encouraging them to seek God's guidance, work together, face opposition with faith, and pursue justice in their communities. Nehemiah's story serves as an inspiring example of faith in action and the transformative power of God's work through dedicated individuals.

The walls provided protection and dignity to a people who had suffered the judgment of God but had later been restored and returned to the Promised Land.