CRC x J + F: 22 June 2025
Rebuilding the Church: A Biblical Study of Nehemiah’s Restoration Journey
Nehemiah 1 v 1 – 4 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
The words of Nehemiah [God comforts] son of Hakaliah [Who waits for the Lord], while I was in the citadel of Susa [Palace of Kings]. Hanani [God is gracious], one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem [City of Peace].
I have highlighted some words above and given the direct meaning from the Hebrew language. As you can see, these form a story when read in English. The bible introduces us to a character that is a cupbearer to the King. Nehemiah comes across one of his brothers whose name is God is gracious, he enquires ‘the grace of God’ about the condition of the city of peace which is now in destruction and burnt down. The people from the city are also distraught and in disgrace. This saddens Nehemiah and prompts him to say a prayer of repentance, pleading for Israel to God. Upon repentance, God lays in his heart the desire to rebuild the city which is in ruins.
The Significance of Jerusalem in Biblical History
Before going any further, can we look at the significance of the city of Jerusalem?
Jesus Christ was crucified in the city of Jerusalem, to be specific this happened right outside the city walls, which happens to be where Nehemiah was🔥❤️. The name Jerusalem means the city of Peace. The walls of the city had been burnt and broken down and these walls play a very crucial role in the gospel as they dictate where Christ would later be crucified. Jesus also walked into Jerusalem on a donkey, a very low animal and was hailed as king. This is good because Jesus uses the least to do the great.
Understanding the Role of a Cupbearer
Now that we have looked at the city of Jerusalem, let us look at the role of a cup bearer.
“In the Bible, a cupbearer was a high-ranking official in royal courts, entrusted with serving wine to the king—and more importantly, ensuring it wasn’t poisoned”
Jesus also served as a cup bearer to his disciples during the last supper, when he gave them wine to drink. This was a symbol of forgiveness of sins, which was Nehemiah’s prayer, to have the sins of Israel forgiven by God. See Mark 14 v 23 – 24.
Nehemiah 2 v 1 - 5: In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
In the month of Nisan [this is the same month of the Passover – the last supper] in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before… Luke 22 v 42 – 44, do you see the resemblance, Jesus was given a cup to drink but it brought a lot of anguish and sadness to his heart. Jesus knew that the cup he was going to be served, would result in pain and death to him. But he also knew that the will of God takes precedence.
The bigger picture here is that both Nehemiah and Jesus are looking to repair the cities of God. One being the literal city and the latter being the entire body of Christ or the church.
Nehemiah 2 v 11 – 13: 11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal[a] Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah’s Three-Day Inspection: A Christ Parallel
Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem and stays 3 days. He inspects the city while riding a horse, similar to what Jesus did on palm Sunday. 3 days is also the time it took for the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
In verse 13, he went out by night and inspects. He went through the valley (nice area) and passed it and went straight to the serpent well and the dung/refuse gate. Take a pause and reflect, why is it significant that he went through the valley and straight to the serpent gate & refuse gate.
Jesus went directly to hades (where hell is, the dwelling place of the serpent) and the refuse gate which speaks to our sinful nature. Nehemiah went straight to the dung gate, riding on a horse/donkey, symbolizing the entrance of a prince or king into our mess, looking to repair us as the cities of Jerusalem, the body of Christ.
Jerusalem is the city of peace and at this point there is no peace. The people are distraught and disgraced. Nehemiah, means God comforts, and is the one whom God is using to bring peace unto the city. Imagine that, Jerusalem is visited by the comfort of God. Not forgetting that he Is the son of Hakaliah which means to wait on the Lord. Wow!! Such a blessing, getting to the core of my message, Those who wait on the Lord, find God’s comfort when they lean on His grace (Hanani being the brother who Nehemiah consulted). Refer to Psalms 91 v 1
Notice the sequence of events, the destruction of the city of God, then Grace (Hanani visits). Then repentance and prayer (Nehemiah in Chapter 1) – then the pouring of wine in front of the king (the shedding of blood) which is salvation and forgiveness. then the repairing of the walls by the cupbearer!! GOD IS TOO POWERFULL!
Nehemiah 2 v 18 – 19: 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”
Immediately after the brothers agree to rebuild the temple, they receive opposition, this goes to show that it will not be smooth sailing. But they place their trust in God, and hide in his comfort.
The Sheep Gate and Fish Gate: Symbols of Ministry
Nehemiah 3 v 1 – 3: Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.
This chapter begins by introducing a high priest called Eliashib [God restores]. This is yet another powerful strategy by God, he starts rebuilding the walls by using a man speaking of his power to restore and furthermore, he uses a group of High priests!!! Can you believe it, this is a great symbol of Jesus doing the work in us and through us. To take this even further, they start by rebuilding the sheep gate. We are sheep, Christ is our shepherd and their priority was to restore the access point we have in Christ Jesus. Our gate was the first thing to be repaired by the high priests, oh how He loves us brothers and sisters, such a beautiful story, what a beautiful saviour. The next gate that was fixed was the Fish gate.
The Great Commission
Now I am going to dwell here as I really take this to a close. As sheep in Christ, our main job is to go out there to fulfil the great commission, Matthew 28 v 19, the call to go make disciples. The detailed explanation and breakdown in this article was to drive a main point which is:
In Christ, we have been restored to Him and we are joined to him through His resurrection. We know this powerful truth, and our responsibility is to go out there and to spread the gospel, and show the people that the sheep gate is now opened and we need to bring the fish into the kingdom of God.
That is all I have to say today, but most importantly, Jesus loves every single one of you!
Scripture References
- Nehemiah Chapters 1, 2 & 3
- Nehemiah 1 v 1 – 4
- Mark 14 v 23 – 24
- Nehemiah 2 v 1
- Luke 22 v 42 – 44
- Nehemiah 2 v 1 – 5
- Nehemiah 2 v 11 – 13
- Nehemiah 2 v 18 – 19
- Nehemiah 3 v 1 – 3
- Matthew 28 v 19