After seventy years in exile, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia that he might allow the Israelites to return to their homes.

Which was a great thing, except by that time their homes weren’t much to return to. The people had to make new houses, plant new fields, and build a new temple for the Lord.

And they needed a wall.

You might not think that a wall would be so important, but Jerusalem would not be safe without one. It would be like having a big city today without police officers or firefighters. A city without a wall was a dangerous place.

So when Nehemiah heard that the walls were ruined, he got the leaders together and got to work right away. Unfortunately, their enemies got to work almost just as quickly. They made fun of the Israelites and opposed Nehemiah and his men. But the wall kept going up, for the people had a mind to work.

Their enemies plotted against Jerusalem and threatened violence against the people. Nehemiah prayed and set a guard to watch over the city day and night. (God always wants us to pray. And he always wants us to be smart too.)

Nehemiah was a good leader. He was organized, hardworking, and courageous. In time, he was made governor over the land, and he ruled with wisdom and justice. He helped the poor and was generous with his wealth. Even though they faced many difficulties, the Israelites finished the wall in a little under two months. The people had worked hard, and God had been their helper.

So the people gathered at the town square in Jerusalem. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law. Ezra stood up on a big platform and opened the book. A large crowd was there, both men and women. Ezra blessed the Lord, and the people lifted up their hands and said “Amen!” They bowed their heads and worshiped God.

Ezra read from the book all morning. Like all good preachers should do, Ezra read from the Bible and explained to the people what the reading meant. Nehemiah declared the day a holy day of celebration. The people cried when the Book of the Law was read, not because they didn’t want to hear it (or because the sermon was too long!) but because they were so happy to hear God’s word again.