Nehemiah, Who Rebuilt the Ruined Walls

After the temple and the walls of Jerusalem had fallen into ruin, Nehemiah came as governor and, dividing the work among the people, rebuilt the wall in fifty-two days. When opponents gathered to hinder them, he had the people work with swords and spears in hand.

The wall is not merely a wall; it is a hedge that guards the temple, that is, God’s people. Even after the temple had been regained, there was no wall, so foreigners came and went and the sacrifices became an empty formality. In the same way, without the walls of the Word, prayer and holy living, the greed and lusts of the world come straight in.

Each of God’s people is a temple of God, and so each must build for themselves the wall that guards that temple. Just as Nehemiah held his post and served the people, those who live as dead to the world and raise the wall high through the Word and prayer are able to hold to a faith that does not waver.