Chapter 2

November 16, 2007 by Roger.

A MIND TO WORK

Israel learned a great historical lesson from her cycle of rebellions and restorations.
The nation had gone the route of one thousand years of repetitive rebellions and restorations
by the time God allowed Babylon to take the final two tribes into captivity. They
thus reaped the whirlwind of blowing against the will of God. The end result was
captivity, both Assyrian (722/21 B.C.) and Babylonian (586 B.C.). And at the end of
this history of turmoil, only a small remnant made their way back from captivity to
resettle the promised land. They learned through this divine discipline something that is
best discovered in their attitude and actions in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem after the
Babylonian captivity. They brought forth fruits of repentance.
When Cyrus came to the throne of the Medo-Persian Empire in 538 B.C., Israel’s
woes were over in reference to being in foreign captivity for their sins. It was a time in
536 B.C. for God’s people to start going home. Zerubbabel led an initial group of the
remnants in 536 B.C. This was followed by Ezra’s group in 457 B.C. And finally,
Hanani came from Judah to Nehemiah in the palace of Shushan in Babylon with a report
concerning the survivors of the captivity and the condition of the city of Jerusalem. The
report was not good. “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are
there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its
gates are burned with fire” (Ne 1:3).
When Nehemiah heard this report, he “sat down and wept and mourned for many
days” (Ne 1:4). He fasted and prayed. After confessing the rebellion of Israel – the
reason for their disbursement among the nations – Nehemiah recounted before God His
promise of their restoration to the promised land. God had promised, “… if you return
(This series of blogs compose a book that carries the title, “Justified By Works.” )

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