Nehemiah 1-5

The book of Nehemiah is considered to be the last of the historical books, and treated by many as the 2nd book of Ezra, even though it was clearly written by Nehemiah.  It relates the history of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the walls of the city, being led by Nehemiah with position and authority from the king in Persia.  Nehemiah had been the cupbearer to the king, but when he found out that the inhabitants in Jerusalem were floundering, and the city walls remained in ruins, he went into a state of mourning.  But the king noticed this, and gave him a letter of permission and authority to go and oversee the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, with a promise that he return to the king’s service in the future.

Chapter 3 relates how the various families in Jerusalem each took responsibility to rebuild the portion of the wall that they lived closest to, so that each section of the wall, and all of the gates were gradually built up.  The enemies of Israel were led by Sanballat, and other gentiles in the land, and they continually attempted to opposed Nehemiah and the people in their work, but all the people pulled together to both work, and to also provide protection against attacks by their enemies.