REBUILDING THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM
(Nehemiah)
The Jews were conquered by Babylon,
Then by Persia, called Iran today.
They allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem,
Though in ruins the city lay.
Under Ezra the temple had been rebuilt,
But then they ran into trouble.
The people felt disgrace and fear,
For the walls remained in rubble.
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king;
He took the king his wine.
When the king saw how sad he was,
He asked him what made him pine.
“Why is your heart so sad?” he said.
Before answering, the cupbearer prayed.
He knew his reply must please the king,
If it didn’t, he would feel the sword’s blade.
He told the king of his homeland,
How it had been demolished.
The gates had been destroyed by fire,
And the people had been abolished.
The king respected Nehemiah,
So he agreed to let him go.
And what was even more startling,
Was the kindness he would show.
Nehemiah asked for safe conduct,
And timber with which to build.
If God hadn’t softened the heart of the king,
Nehemiah would have been killed.
In order to avoid his critics,
Nehemiah didn’t tell a soul.
He first examined the walls and gates,
Before he announced his goal.
Then he gathered the Jews and priests,
The nobles and every official.
He sought anyone who was willing to work,
Tho’ the work would be sacrificial.
There is much to be learned from this story,
Starting with the need to be bold.
How Nehemiah accomplished his task,
Should be told and told and retold.
He had to use who and what was there,
And he had to make things fit.
All kinds of trouble arose,
But the cupbearer never quit.
Each family was assigned a section;
He used women where there were no men.
They worked together in harmony;
Each one did the work of ten.
Nehemiah faced many problems;
When they came, he would improvise.
He was taunted, tormented, and threatened,
Yet the walls began to rise.
Lies and rumors were spread,
And they questioned his authority.
Discouragement and fear set in,
And dissension arose in the city.
The wall was finished in 52 days,
Which frightened those who opposed.
They realized that a task like this,
Was from God, so the matter was closed.
If God is seeking workers,
When a mission needs fulfilling,
He doesn’t choose professionals;
He uses those who are willing.
And though’ no one may be qualified,
Sometimes it just takes a good plan.
It also takes lots of “fort”itude,
And the help of every clan.
Becky Wall
