Nehemiah - Restoring The Ruined Walls
Palitha Jayasooriya
Nehemiah 1:3
(Outline of a sermon preached at the People’s Church in Sri Lanka in June 2022.)
Introduction - It is said that Thomas Edison lost much of his work due to a severe fire in his lab. It happened at a time when money was in short supply and Edison was in his senior years. His son was worried as to how his father would handle the great loss. Would he break under the disappointment? Would he give up on what he loved so much?
Edison’s response however was, ‘‘we will build bigger and better on the ruins!’’
Background to the Book of Nehemiah:
Nehemiah (meaning - ‘The Lord comforts’) was cupbearer to the King of Persia. He received news one day that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken and in ruins, with the gates burned down. This information was given him by a group that came down from Jerusalem. Nehemiah described this meeting as follows: ‘‘They said to me, ‘‘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.’’(Nehemiah 1:3).
The broken and ruined walls meant that the city would most probably face insults and mocking from surrounding nations. Also, that Jerusalem would be in great danger, and vulnerable to enemy attacks. The people were therefore living in fear and disgrace.
Nehemiah immediately felt burdened to go to Jerusalem and do something about the sad situation; to rebuild the walls and repair the gates. This showed great bravery and commitment as Jerusalem at that time was probably a distant and unimportant city. I mean, what could he possibly gain from taking on such a dangerous mission? He was comfortable where he was in life. Why take on something like this now? But he stepped out trusting God.
Nehemiah thereafter received an opportunity to petition the king, when the king noticed one day that Nehemiah was troubled and asked him what was ...
Palitha Jayasooriya
Nehemiah 1:3
(Outline of a sermon preached at the People’s Church in Sri Lanka in June 2022.)
Introduction - It is said that Thomas Edison lost much of his work due to a severe fire in his lab. It happened at a time when money was in short supply and Edison was in his senior years. His son was worried as to how his father would handle the great loss. Would he break under the disappointment? Would he give up on what he loved so much?
Edison’s response however was, ‘‘we will build bigger and better on the ruins!’’
Background to the Book of Nehemiah:
Nehemiah (meaning - ‘The Lord comforts’) was cupbearer to the King of Persia. He received news one day that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken and in ruins, with the gates burned down. This information was given him by a group that came down from Jerusalem. Nehemiah described this meeting as follows: ‘‘They said to me, ‘‘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.’’(Nehemiah 1:3).
The broken and ruined walls meant that the city would most probably face insults and mocking from surrounding nations. Also, that Jerusalem would be in great danger, and vulnerable to enemy attacks. The people were therefore living in fear and disgrace.
Nehemiah immediately felt burdened to go to Jerusalem and do something about the sad situation; to rebuild the walls and repair the gates. This showed great bravery and commitment as Jerusalem at that time was probably a distant and unimportant city. I mean, what could he possibly gain from taking on such a dangerous mission? He was comfortable where he was in life. Why take on something like this now? But he stepped out trusting God.
Nehemiah thereafter received an opportunity to petition the king, when the king noticed one day that Nehemiah was troubled and asked him what was ...
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