The Book of Nehemiah is a story about a man named Nehemiah who trusted God and worked hard to help God’s people. Nehemiah had a very special job, and even though things were tough, he didn’t give up. He shows us what it means to be brave, to trust God, and to work together to do something great!
1. Nehemiah Hears Bad News
Nehemiah lived far away from Jerusalem in a place called Persia. He worked for the king as a cupbearer, which meant he served the king his drinks and made sure everything was safe. Even though Nehemiah was far from Jerusalem, he still cared about the city because it was the special home of God’s people.
One day, Nehemiah heard some bad news. He learned that the walls around Jerusalem were broken down and the gates had been burned. This made Nehemiah very sad because without walls, the city wasn’t safe. Enemies could come in and attack the people at any time. Nehemiah wanted to help, so he prayed to God and asked for guidance.
Lesson: When we are sad or worried, we should pray to God, just like Nehemiah did. God hears us and helps us when we ask Him.
2. Nehemiah Asks the King for Help
After praying, Nehemiah decided to ask the king for permission to go to Jerusalem and fix the walls. This was a big and scary request because the king might say no, but Nehemiah trusted God to help him. When Nehemiah spoke to the king, God gave him favor, and the king not only said yes but also gave him letters of protection and supplies to help rebuild the walls!
Lesson: Nehemiah shows us that when we trust God and ask for His help, He can make even difficult things possible.
3. Rebuilding the Wall
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he saw that the city walls were really in bad shape. He didn’t tell anyone what he planned to do right away, but he went out at night to inspect the damage. After seeing how bad things were, Nehemiah gathered the people together and said, “Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem!” The people were excited and agreed to help.
Everyone had a part to play in rebuilding the wall. Some people worked on one section while others worked on another part. Families worked side by side, building the wall piece by piece. It was a lot of work, but Nehemiah encouraged them to keep going.
Lesson: When we work together with others, we can accomplish great things! God wants us to help each other and work as a team.
4. Facing Opposition
Not everyone was happy that Nehemiah and the people were rebuilding the wall. Some enemies, like Sanballat and Tobiah, didn’t want the wall to be finished, so they made fun of the workers and tried to stop them. But Nehemiah didn’t get discouraged. Instead, he prayed to God and told the people to keep working. He also made sure the workers were safe by giving some of them swords to defend the city while others worked.
The enemies tried to scare Nehemiah by sending him messages, but Nehemiah stayed focused on the job God had given him. He knew that what he was doing was important, and he trusted God to protect him.
Lesson: When we are doing something good, we might face challenges, but we should keep trusting God and never give up, just like Nehemiah.
5. The Wall is Finished!
Even though the enemies tried to stop them, Nehemiah and the people worked hard and finished rebuilding the wall in just 52 days! Everyone was amazed, even their enemies. They knew that it was only with God’s help that the wall had been rebuilt so quickly. The city of Jerusalem was safe again, and the people rejoiced.
Lesson: When we work hard and trust in God, amazing things can happen. God helps us finish the work He calls us to do.
6. Nehemiah and Ezra Teach the People
After the wall was finished, Nehemiah and a priest named Ezra wanted to make sure the people were following God’s Word. Ezra gathered the people together and read them the laws of God. The people listened carefully, and some even cried because they realized they hadn’t been living the way God wanted them to. But Nehemiah told them not to be sad. Instead, he said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” The people celebrated and promised to follow God’s ways.
Lesson: God’s Word teaches us how to live, and it brings us joy when we follow Him. Even when we make mistakes, we can always come back to God, and He will help us.
Key Lessons from the Book of Nehemiah:
- Pray to God for help: Nehemiah prayed when he was sad, and God guided him. We can pray to God about anything, and He will listen and help us.
- Trust God, even in tough times: Nehemiah trusted God when he asked the king for help and when enemies tried to stop him. When we trust God, He will make a way for us.
- Work together to accomplish great things: The people rebuilt the wall by working as a team. When we work together and help each other, we can do great things for God.
- Keep going, even when it’s hard: Nehemiah didn’t give up, even when enemies tried to stop him. We should keep doing good, even when things are tough, knowing that God is with us.
- God’s Word gives us joy and strength: Nehemiah and Ezra taught the people God’s laws, and they found joy in obeying Him. Reading and following God’s Word will make us strong and happy.
The Book of Nehemiah shows us that with God’s help, we can rebuild, protect, and make things right. No matter the challenges we face, we can trust God to be with us every step of the way, and when we work together, we can do amazing things for Him!
