Nehemiah had not step foot on Jerusalem’s soil as he had been born and raised in exile, yet he still had a heart for the city. God not only directed the king’s heart to permit Nehemiah to go rebuild the city’s wall in this story, God had also been working in Nehemiah’s heart giving him the desire to go.

“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭

Nehemiah was deeply troubled when he heard of the great trouble and disgrace of Jerusalem - the wall torn and gates burnt down. Nehemiah prayed for days! He prayed fervently.

Nehemiah knew the importance of a wall, the protection that it provided to the inhabitants. A city with no walls left the people vulnerable to attack, theft and destruction by their enemies.

Why would Nehemiah’s first response be to pray? God was working within him for a purpose. God is always, always at work. Even when it may seem like he’s doing nothing except leaving us in our despair. Just hold tight. God has a plan. Just like Nehemiah did here, the very best thing we can do in difficult times is to set our hearts to the Lord and pray.

So the king granted Nehemiah his request to go back to Judah. Not only with the blessing of the king, but with supplies and provisions for safe travel.

“I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request. I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel." Nehemiah‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭10‬ ‭

Nehemiah’s presence in Jerusalem is spiritually significant. Nehemiah means Yahweh comforts or to comfort. The definition of comfort is to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to. If we look a little closer at the word comfort, we get a deeper insight on how Nehemiah’s presence in Jerusalem impacted the people and God’s fingerprints throughout each state of comfort.

  • Physical Comfort — A state of ease and freedom from pain, often linked to a pleasant environment.
  • Emotional Comfort — Involves feelings of relief and support, helping individuals cope with distress.
  • Social Comfort — The reassurance and solace provided by relationships and community support, crucial during difficult times.
  • Psychological Comfort — A mental state where one feels secure and at ease, often achieved through positive experiences and environments

Nehemiah came to Jerusalem to help the people. Their physical state - physically rebuilding the wall. Also, their spiritual state - Nehemiah asking Ezra to read the Book of the Law out loud at the square Nehemiah chapter 8. The people cried out in repentance. Nehemiah came in and radically reformed the nation.