Pray and Work, the Inspiring Example of NehemiahMuestra

Nehemiah received bad news

“And they said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.’” (Nehemiah 1:3)

Nehemiah was a high official at the palace court in Babylon. But originally he was from Israel. Much of the Jewish people had been deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Some 50 years later, Babylon was conquered by the Persian king Cyrus, who thus also gained power over the region of Israel. This King Cyrus gave the Jews permission to return to their own land. Some did, but the situation in the land of Israel was not exactly promising.

Nehemiah, who himself still resided at the Persian court, received a report of the situation in his homeland. There was nothing positive to tell. The capital Jerusalem was in ruins with no protective city walls. Its inhabitants were the target of ridicule from other people groups in the area. No wonder that in response to this message, Nehemiah “sat down and wept and mourned for days.” Later in the story we will read that he also took action, but this took time. First, he experienced overwhelming grief.

We all face bad news from time to time. Sometimes at the personal level, or simply when we read in the newspaper what is happening in the world. What does that do to you?