Arise and let us build Nehemiah 2:18 (ESV)

Key dates 605 BC – first exiles taken 597 BC – 2nd batch! 587 BC – 3rd batch and ruin of Jerusalem 538 BC – first exiles return 445 BC– Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem

Let us arise and build – Nehemiah 2:18 1.Before the work started Nehemiah …. Prayed to God Petitioned the King Planned the job 2.The People responded enthusiastically ‘Let’s do it’ – 2:18. 3.The People got involved 4.They soon faced opposition & discouragement – From without from Tobiah, Sanballet and Gesham – Ridicule and mocking, and anger - Ch 2:19 & 4:1-3; – Deceit and physical intimidation – Ch 6 (esp v2 & 13) – Innuendo, legal intimidation - 6:6-7 – From within as result of economic crisis – 5:1-3

5.How the discouragement was countered Prayer – 4:4 Sword and trowel - 4:17 Some stood guard whilst others worked – 4:16 Supporting each other – 4:20 6.End result was a completed work – in just 52 days God was feared by the nations – 6:16! Let us arise and build Let us arise and build – Nehemiah 2:18