September 24, 2026
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Reading along with us in Nehemiah and 1 Peter? Here’s today’s reading:
Nehemiah 2 (NIV)
Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem
1 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?…..Continue Reading
Next: Nehemiah 3
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Back: Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah saw God move upon the heart of a pagan king to partner in the work allowing him to go rebuild Jerusalem. So of course when he arrived he trusted God could move upon the hearts of His own people to get motivated to rebuild. Nehemiah wasn’t there to do it for them, but to partner with them and presented it as it was all of their work to do.
Of course whenever God’s work is being done, oppostion will find its way to try to stop it. Nehemiah did not let this stop him but rather he pressed on. We should know that God is with us and we do not need to be tore down by the opposition we face but rather encouraged knowing He is with us.
What a great chapter this is. Starting with the interaction with the king, the king shows his awareness and sensitivity towards a servant of his and Nehemiah is forthright in making his request. You just have to love the little prayer Nehemiah shoots up before he does though. Then the king wants to make clear when he will have Nehemiah back, showing how valuable he was to him and Nehemiah is wise to ask the king for all the provisions he does, including letters to direct others what they should do, Nehemiah preparing for the opposition he was sure to face. Nehemiah is also wise to assess the situation and status of the wall before he talks to anyone else. It is an important step for a leader to take. But then he calls people to action after giving them a vision of just how bad things are. And it is no surprise that there are those upset with someone advocating for the Jews and increasing their influence and safety in the region. But Nehemiah calls them out for who they are and clearly defines what he understands their motivation and status to be. Another important thing for a leader to do.
Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah is well-placed to intervene with the earthly king, Artaxerxes, although one would think his position as a lowly cupbearer would be inconsequential, God answers his prayers and moves the heart of the king to feel empathy for Nehemiah and even to act upon his requests with favor and abundance.
Psalm 29; Ezra 10; Nehemiah 1-2, 9; James 5
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