Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls

Artwork: John Anderson

In 586 BC the Jewish people were captured and taken away to Babylon. 

 This was called the EXILE. Later in 539 BC when Cyrus became ruler of the land, he gave permission for many of the Jews to return home. 

Nehemiah was descended from these people, but he remained behind. 

However when word came to him in the year 445 BC that the city of Jerusalem and its walls and gates were in ruins, and the people who now lived there were greatly distressed, he became very upset too.

He cried out to God, and fasted and prayed for many days, for his people. He asked King Artaxerxes I, who was the king by then, if he could return and organise the rebuilding of the walls and the city. 

The King gave him permission to go.

Nehemiah organised a work force and he allowed nothing and no-one to distract them from their work. The walls were rebuilt in only 52 days.

• Challenge each other to a game of JENGA. 

• The person who is the last one to remove a brick without the tower falling wins.

• Now try again with each person in turn being allowed only 52 seconds to remove as many bricks as possible. 

• The others must do their best to distract this player, without touching him/her or the bricks.

The winner is the one with the most bricks.

30 Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls: Nehemiah Chapters 1-5

 (to the tune ‘If you’re happy and you know it’)

Nehemiah journeyed to Jerusalem,

for its ruined walls, he had a stratagem.

And he had the king’s permission

to rebuild and try and fix ‘em,

with the help of a little band of men.

There were those who were not happy with his plan,

and they criticised his work down to a man.

They sent rumours to and fro,

an attack was set to go.

But the work went on and on ad nauseam.

When they tried to coax N’miah out of town,

said, “I’m doing a great work, and can’t come down!”

You see he had the knack

of avoiding every trap.

Very soon the walls rose high above the ground.

It took two and fifty days to build the wall.

Nehemiah thanked his team one and all.

Did not rest upon his laurels,

as they all put down their trowels,

for a safe and holy city he foresaw. 

He supervised some very godly men,

to oversee the city, guard it even then.

Brought the people to their senses

even organised a census,

Taught his people how to worship God again.

© words Sheila Hamil 2011

www.sheilahamil.co.uk