In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”
We are now in the month of Nisan, same year (445 BC). This is important because 4 months have passed. Nisan is the first month in spring on the Hebrew calendar. This shows us how long Nehemiah had been praying. But you’ll note that Nehemiah didn’t know how long he was going to pray for an answer. In the same sense, when we adamantly pray, we have to be patient in God’s response.
Being sad in front of the king is a punishable offense. The king had the right to deal any punishment he wanted. In the old world, the king was thought to be such a bright light that sadness in his presence wasn’t possible. It banged up against his pride.
I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
Nehemiah is a normal guy. He is afraid of the king’s response. But he also knows that this is the moment God has opened up for him. So, trusting God, he steps forward in faith and tells the king the answer.
4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” 6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. 7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.
The king’s disposition is not one of anger but concern. He wants to know how he can help, Just as God moved King Cyrus to allow the Jews to rebuild the temple, God is working through another pagan ruler to effect His will. It pleased the king to send him. So when Nehemiah realizes this, he asks for everything he needs. Empowered by God, Nehemiah asks for the proper papers and building supplies to accompany him and the king willingly gives it.
9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
Nehemiah spares us the journey, and it isn’t an easy one. From Susa to Jerusalem is 800 miles of rough road. But you’ll notice he isn’t alone. The king has sent soldiers with him. Protection. Not only is the king helping him, but is partnering with him.
So Nehemiah makes it to the Trans-Euphrates, which is a marker for a new region. There we see the beginning of the first bit of opposition: Sanballat and Tobiah. Remember these two. As the story progresses, we will see they are integral to it. They both have an interest in keeping Jerusalem weak.
11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. 13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal[a] Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
Nehemiah makes it to Jerusalem but does not tell anyone why he is there. Why? Possibly because Nehemiah is always concerned with understanding the situation before diving into it with boldness. We will see that Nehemiah is indeed bold, but it is a boldness foundationed in love and wisdom. He instead probes the situation. He inspects the wall, at night, in order to assess the situation properly. There are no politics, no opinions, just the job ahead of him. He takes an honest look at the situation before revealing his purpose.
17 Then I said to them, “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.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
Nehemiah not only reveals his purpose, but that the purpose isn’t solely his: it is inspired by God. But he knows that he cannot do this without the people. Just like getting Artaxerxes invested, he must also get the people invested, and they understand on a deeper level: this isn’t just about the physical wall, but developing the people into a stronger breed, shaping them into confident, instead of having shame, fear and poverty.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”
As always, with anything good, there is always opposition. They first mock Nehemiah and suggest he is rebelling against the king. The building of the wall could suggest that. If a wall is built, it means the autonomy of Jerusalem could happen, Artaxerxes may not get his taxes and Jerusalem is once again rebellious. Nehemiah could have stopped there and wondered about the optics. Maybe the king would view this as rebellion…maybe he shouldn’t do anything…
20 I answered them by saying, “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 answers with confidence. He understands this is what God wants. God will prosper them. It will succeed. He doesn’t second guess it. And he calls out those opposed to the rebuilding that they are enemies to God’s plans.