Build the wall
Day 302, Monday, June 9
Neh. Chapters 1 – 2
Remember back a few weeks to Ezra. Some of the former inhabitants of Jerusalem—or their descendants—returned to the city with the blessing of the king to rebuild the temple.
Nehemiah is a Jew living in exile who serves as cupbearer to the king (think personal assistant in today’s terminology). He hears how things are going back in Jerusalem, but is concerned that the city wall and gates have not been rebuilt.
In that day significant cities had walls around them to protect the population from invaders. Walls also served as a source of civic pride, showing how powerful and important the city was.
While Nehemiah would have been pleased with the rebuilding of the temple itself, he was sad for the diminished state of what had once been a great city.
King Artaxerxes sees his distress and, learning the cause, sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem to repair the wall and gates.
Officials from surrounding areas are concerned. As was the case in Ezra, they state their concerns as fear for rebellion against the king, but their main fear is probably that a stronger Jerusalem will threaten their own wealth and status.
P.S.
Notice the Proverbs reading where the author asks for his daily bread, but neither poverty nor riches.
This helps to interpret the Lord’s Prayer—we think of the prayer for daily bread as asking for at least that much, but this proverb says that too much can be as bad as too little, as the pride that comes from wealth can cause one to turn away from God.

Monday meditation

Proverbs 30:7-9
Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Prayer focus
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

-Rev. Mark Fleming