Introduction

Although it is well-known for providing remarkable wisdom, the Bible also contains fascinating reports of courageous leadership and political intrigue.  One of those accounts originates in the mysterious, ancient land of Persia and the ruins of Jerusalem.  The story describes a very brave, devoted man named Nehemiah.  This Bible hero was mighty in spirit; he acted shrewdly toward those who tried to undermine his work, take his life and degrade his reputation.  The special mission he undertook, the one that gave him a good name throughout history, lasted only 52 days. 

And do you know what he and his team accomplished in less than two months that provoked God to include his story in the Holy Bible? 

He built a wall. 

Now you’re likely thinking, “Who wants to read about some old guy from ancient history whose greatest accomplishment was to build a wall?  I thought Nehemiah did something important like Joshua who conquered mighty armies, or Elijah who called down fire from heaven on the enemies of the Lord.  Now, that’s Biblical drama!” 

But….Nehemiah didn’t build just any old wall; He built one around the ransacked city of Jerusalem. He built one so important that three powerful Governors tried to discourage him, ruin his good name, shut down his God-given operation and end his life. Talk about a guy with enemies. 

But still, why all this fuss about a man and a wall? 

Before your eyes glaze over with boredom, let me quickly mention four important points: 

1. Nehemiah was a tremendously talented project manager working against formidable odds. 
2. Nehemiah’s prayers represent some of the most powerful and effective communications ever recorded between man and God. 
3. Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls restored dignity to the city and its people, ushering in a spiritual revival and urban renewal which paved the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ four centuries later.   
4. As Governor, Nehemiah later introduced social reforms that re-established Mosaic Law, protecting the poorest, underprivileged citizens in Jerusalem from those trying to exploit them.   

Do any of those points interest you? Nehemiah’s building project remains one of the most pivotal activities in human history. That is a serious assertion.  To make this more personal, please consider these questions:   

1. Do you have the energy and passion for changing some unfortunate conditions in this world?   
2. Does your heart grieve for certain people who are suffering? 
3. Does some social or spiritual vision consume and excite you?   
4. Has the Lord called you to make a commitment to follow Him on faith?   

If you said “yes” to any of these, I recommend that you read this account, as Nehemiah’s story provides great lessons in conducting political negotiation, forming fast-moving project teams, avoiding setbacks and executing a strategy to achieve rapid results.   

Admittedly, you may feel inconsequential and poorly positioned to be used by God. Or, it may be obvious that you don’t have the resources to accomplish great things. Maybe you feel unqualified and untrained for spiritual service. Take heart!  You are in the same state where the Lord found Nehemiah at the beginning of his ministry, despondent and unfree, living in modern-day Iran 1,000 miles from his homeland.   

Do you wonder if your heartfelt prayers ever reach the Gates of Heaven?  From the very title of this book, you can tell we will be investigating the mysterious, transformational power of Nehemiah’s prayers.  Take a moment to reflect: why did God include in His Holy Scriptures the story of a nobody, living in exile in a foreign land? Why record the deeds of a man whose greatest accomplishment was to gather up some reluctant guys from the old neighborhood and rebuild a wall around the forlorn city of Jerusalem which a vicious, conquering army had burned to the ground nearly 150 years earlier?   

And here is another challenging question:  Since Nehemiah’s work took place in 444 B.C., do you realize that, chronologically, this is the very last story of the Old Testament?  Twenty-three books of the Old Testament are positioned in the Bible after this one.  Why is it “out of chronological order?”  Why did God stop recording pre-Messianic history with the story of Nehemiah?  Finally, if Nehemiah had not left his job at the palace in Persia, would anyone else have led Jerusalem’s urban renewal?  Who would have reversed the civic decay, restoring hope and prosperity to the city which Jesus would enter over four centuries later?  What could possibly be so important about this man and his wall?  These questions intrigue me.  The answers are fascinating and inspiring because Nehemiah, a powerless Jewish man serving a Persian king, changed the course of human history.   

In just 52 days.