Nehemiah 2
From Nehemiah's Journal
 |
| Photo Courtesy |
I packed quickly for the journey to Jerusalem, thanks to the permission given to me by the king of Babylon. The king also sent officers and a calvary with me for protection.
We first visited the governors of Trans-Euphrates. There I gave those kings letters from Artaxerxes, king of Babylon. The letters asked for their help and protection for my journey.
Sanballat and Tobiah were against the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem. After seeing their response to what their kings in Trans-Euphrates said, I had a feeling these two wanted to cause trouble. They seemed especially bothered that their kings promised protection by sending officers and a calvary for the welfare of the Israelites.
With these armies I traveled to Jerusalem and found a place to stay. I walked around the town, spoke to the people, and enjoyed resting from the long journey in my homeland for three days. I didn't tell any of my Israelite brothers or anyone else why I came. During this time I also found a few men whom I could trust to help me carry out my plan.
By the third evening, the men I chose stayed up late to help me. The city was still. Everyone but a few guards slept. I alone rode a mount, the others walked.
We sneaked out the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate inspecting the Jerusalem's walls. Seventy years ago, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon wage siege on our Jerusalem. His armies broke down the walls and gates, which had been destroyed by fire.
The men and I moved toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there wasn't enough room for my mount to fit in the narrow space. Instead, we turned to the valley and examined the wall. This was the last location we inspected. We sneaked back through the Valley Gate and slept until morning.
The officials didn't know where I went or what I was doing because I hadn't yet told them my real reason for coming to Jerusalem. Telling them the plan I'd presented to King Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, before I confirmed the facts would have been foolish. Now I know what repairs need to be done and can speak intelligently.
Tomorrow, I will call a meeting. It's time to rebuild the walls to protect our city.
Come back next time to see what happens.
*********************************************************************************************
sources: New International Version, New King James Version
1. Who did the king of Babylon send to go with Nehemiah?
2. Who did Nehemiah stop to visit on the way to Jerusalem?
3. What was he given there?
4. What two men were angry about the plan?
5. How many days did Nehemiah rest before starting his work?
6. In the quiet of the night, what did Nehemiah sneak out to do?
7. What did Nehemiah see in the dark of the night?
2. Who did Nehemiah stop to visit on the way to Jerusalem?
3. What was he given there?
4. What two men were angry about the plan?
5. How many days did Nehemiah rest before starting his work?
6. In the quiet of the night, what did Nehemiah sneak out to do?
7. What did Nehemiah see in the dark of the night?
No comments:
Post a Comment