(446 B.C.?) Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah, Persian king's cup bearer in Shushan, receives brother, Hanani, and fellow Jews from Jerusalem. Report from others in Jerusalem not good. City's walls and gates remain destroyed. Nehemiah moved to tears and fasting. His prayer of national confession, claiming God's promise of restoration if His people repent. Appeals for His mercy.

(445 B.C.?) Four months pass as Nehemiah continues prayerfully and sadly to wait the king's table. King expresses concern. Nehemiah fearfully and respectfully replies, requesting a specified leave of absence for the reconstruction of the walls of his people. Also requests letters to regional governors for assistance. So granted and given army escort. Regional opposition (Ammonites and others) dismayed by the latest Jewish envoy from Persian king. After three days, with mission undisclosed, Nehemiah and a few men conduct a night survey of the walls and gates. Now discloses his mission with royal favor, challenging all to the task. Favorably received and work begins. Ammonites and Arabians mock them, to which Nehemiah invokes God's blessings upon the work and their exclusion from the city.

Organization of the workers and work detailed, beginning with and returning to the priests at the sheep gate. Nobles of Tekoites refuse to work. Entire families, including children and servants, engage in work.

Sanballat, a Horonite, and Tobiah, an Ammonite, with the Samaritans, mock and revile the work of God before the builders. Nehemiah's prayer for God's judgment upon His critics. Work continues with determination. Conspiracy by Samaritan opposition to halt the work. Prayer for the work continued with lookouts posted. Continuing harassment and increasing fear leads to discouragement. Armed guards posted and Nehemiah encourages the people; ½ worked while other ½ guarded (all working with swords ready at sides). Trumpeters assigned in unprotected expanses; 24 hour guards posted. All to remain within city under full state of readiness (removing clothes only to wash).

Now all together and closely associating with one another, bickering arises over past injustices (slavery, mortgages, tribute, loans, interest, etc.). Nehemiah angrily condemns the nobles for their unjust practice of usury, encouraging all to live harmoniously and above reproach in the fear of God. Covenant for restitution with warning for failure. Nehemiah continues as appointed governor 12 years, living in demonstration of what God expects from all -- generous to others, yet frugal in one's own affairs.)

Walls completed, doors yet to be hung. Sanballat angered after several unsuccessful insidious attempts to draw Nehemiah from the city. Threatens false accusations to Persia of Nehemiah's intent to become king. Accusing him of lies, Nehemiah calls upon God for strength to overcome for work's completion. He exposes a plot to trick him into violation of Temple Law. Wall completed in 52 days, on the 25th of Elul (Sept.), to the dismay of their enemies. Secret communiqués exchanged between Tobiah and some Jewish nobles with family ties. Letters of intimidation sent by Tobiah to Nehemiah.

Gates hung. Work completed. Appointment of Temple officers. Nehemiah's brother, Hanani (of 1:2), and the palace ruler, Hananiah, appointed governors of Jerusalem. City's gates secured from evening until heat of next day's sun. Rotating watches posted. Jerusalem, now enclosed, large with few inhabitants and houses. Nehemiah moved to number citizens by genealogy. Ezra's earlier Registry of first migration found and read (see Ezra 2).

(See Ezra 3:1) Ezra the scribe and Nehemiah assemble the people for a reading of Moses' Law. People stand. Jeshua and priests alternate reading in such a way all understand. People weep at what they hear. Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites declare this a holy day and all mourning put aside for rejoicing and feasting for God's strength and benevolence given. Benevolence to others encouraged that all may participate. Now instructed in all the Law; the Feast of Tabernacles (7 days) unobserved since Joshua's time, now observed with great gladness. Holy Convocation on 8th day.

Oct.24, national day of confession. Sanctified solemn assembly read God's Law for ¼ day, confessing another ¼. Jeshua and others moved to stand above the people and cry to God. People led in giving God a great standing worship of praise, recounting God's wonderful power, presence, and help in their long history: from Creation through Abraham, down to their very day! A new covenant made with God by the people and sealed by Nehemiah, princes, Levites, and priests.

Covenant-sealers named. All those sanctified enter covenant. Covenant points enumerated. (Marriage, Sabbath, Shewbread, offerings, priestly duties and lots, firstfruits and tithes.) God's house not to be neglected.

Lots cast for division of population: 1/10 to dwell in Jerusalem, 9/10 in other cities. Volunteers for Jerusalem's population accepted. People are to inhabit the land of their inherited promise. Named.

(536 B.C.?) Priests identified who accompanied Zerubbabel from Babylon to Jerusalem. All recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings. End Ezra's Registry. Dedication Day of city walls. Levites summoned. Celebratory procession atop wall with great joy from God heard afar. Treasurers appointed for offerings and portions for priests, Levites, singers, etc. All sanctified unto the Lord.

(445 B.C.?) After being instructed in the Law, a separation follows from all those forbidden to participate in the congregation because of their past injustices to their Hebrew fathers. The traitorous relationship between the high priest, Elishib, and Tobiah the Ammonite is disclosed. Discovering Temple quarters for Tobiah provided by Elishib, Nehemiah furiously evicts Tobiah, ordering a purification and restoration of those spaces for proper Temple use. Restores and appoints treasurers over Levites' portions discovered being withheld. Sabbath reclaimed from day of commerce and restored to holy day with gates shut, excluding foreigners with trade. Mixed marriages, previously strictly forbidden and covenant to that effect, discovered, even among priests whose children better resembled their enemies, uneducated in their Hebrew ways and language. ( Ezra 10:3,18,44.) The marriage of Elishib's grandson to Sanballat's daughter is discovered; he is expelled from them by Nehemiah. All strangers are separated and order is restored, with individual duties and responsibilities. Nehemiah's petition for remembrance in his unselfish service.