Reflections: Rebuilding the walls

Studying the books of Ezra and Nehemiah recently, I’m amazed at the relevance of the Old Testament today. Obviously, many prophetic writings are applicable, but there are valuable principles in the historical books as well. In addition to pointing in some way to Jesus, they can provide insight for our daily living. 

This week, I read about Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, which had been reduced to rubble by the Babylonian conquest. Although Ezra’s work had reinstated worship and respect for God’s law and built a Temple, the city walls still lay in ruins. Nehemiah’s sadness about the situation caught the attention of the Persian king, whom he served as cupbearer. 

With the king’s blessing, Nehemiah went to Jerusalem to head up a rebuilding project, but it wasn’t easy. Opposition arose immediately: Threats from surrounding nations, untruthful letters to the king and attempts to intimidate Nehemiah. 

Nehemiah wasn’t fooled, nor was he dissuaded from the project because he knew where to turn: Many passages in the book describe Nehemiah crying out to God for protection and guidance; but the work went on. 

How is this relatable today? Although mainstream media doesn’t focus on it much, there is a return among Gen Zers, and particularly young men, to seeking truth. After years of seeing what does NOT work, many young people are realizing there is something deeper, and they want to find it. Statistics show they are buying Bibles in record numbers, engaging in online faith-based content and starting or restarting to attend church. 

Among my youngest son’s friends, one young man felt prompted to return to the liturgical church of his upbringing and start taking the services seriously. He also attends a more casual young adult weeknight Bible study at my son’s church. They regularly study the Bible together on lunch breaks at the office where they both work, and others have asked to join them. I’ve heard similar stories from several friends regarding their young adult kids and grandkids. 

Just a few of the parallels with Nehemiah’s situation—mainly, that there’s bound to be opposition. Nehemiah chapter 4 tells us guards were posted, and many of the workers held a sword in one hand while working with the other! 

The situation was similar for the early church, as the Apostle Paul uses military metaphors in Ephesians 6:17 to describe the armor needed to withstand the devil’s attacks in the surrounding culture. Part of that armor is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (BSB). Peter also wrote to the early Church to “be sober-minded and alert” (1 Peter 5:8, BSB). The young people buying Bibles now are seeing a need to know and obey what the Bible says!

I also found it interesting that Nehemiah’s work crews included families working together, everyone doing their part, to rebuild a section of wall. One doesn’t need to read much news these days to see the attack on families through various temptations including sexual identity confusion and lack of respect for human life; and this is another area where young people, some inspired by the late Charlie Kirk, are recognizing the importance of family and legacy. 

Taking the unity concept even further, Nehemiah’s crew also included some with a shofar at the ready, to call the people to unity in case of attack. In Jesus’ final prayer with his disciples, recorded in John 17, He prayed that his followers would be in unity with one another as they followed the Holy Spirit’s leading. When we work together in our local churches and nonprofits, we get lots more done, and mutual accountability can help keep us on track. Same with those young men with their Bible studies, and with older Christians serving as mentors for younger ones.  

If you haven’t read Nehemiah in a while (or ever?), do it! I think you’ll be inspired, as I have been, to look around for ways our “walls” of faith, family and freedom are under attack, and ask God what you can do to help rebuild them!