1. Turning broken down walls into windows of blessing
Nehemiah 2:16-19; 4:1-9, 13-14; 5:6-12; 6:10-16; 10:28f

2. Susa, Persia Nehemiah Jerusalem, 444 BC City still in ruins:
586BC destroyed
536 BC exiles returned
Jerusalem destruction:
605, 595, 586, city, walls and Temple destroyed;
Jews exiled to Babylon, 70 years.
Babylon defeated by Persians in 537BC
536BC Cyrus, King of Persia, released the exiles to go home. Some stayed in Persia
Temple, smaller model constructed; Ezra
Walls in ruins – 100 years.
444 BC - Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerzes of Persia – report about Jerusalem
The city is still in ruins.
Nehemiah 1:3-4; Word from the Lord
Nehemiah 2 – goes to King and receives permission
Arrives in Jerusalem – 2:17-18