August 6, 2010 – Nehemiah 1-2

Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  What do we take from this episode.  We see a servant who is so saddened that his conquering master is moved to let him leave.  And not just leave to freedom, but to go and build up the walls of a city that was defeated.  Really the only thing I know about defeating the city of Jerusalem is from the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” and if that is any indication, it is a very difficult thing to do.  But this person allows him to leave to increase its fortifications.  What does that mean.  And why the walls first.  I am sure the temple was also in ruin.  Why not build that up first.  It just seems confusing to me, especially when you are already conquered.