Restoration of Jerusalem

Rubble is defined as "waste or rough fragments of stone, brick, concrete, etc., especially as the debris from the demolition of buildings." This is exactly what Nehemiah found when he returned to Jerusalem: rubble and ruin. Jerusalem was broken.

God rescued the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. In fulfillment of His promise to Abraham, He intended to make them into a nation and give them a bountiful land in which to dwell. To establish this new nation, God gave them commands to help them live in relationship with Him and with one another.

In Deuteronomy 28, God lays out the blessings they will receive if they obey all His commandments. But He also makes clear the consequences of rejecting His ways. Reading through the list of curses is disturbing and overwhelming.

For a time, the people lived in harmony with God and each other. However, it doesn't take long before the chosen people of God choose to follow their own desires and forsake God's commands. Just like Eve believed satan's lie that disobedience would not lead to death, they too must have believed God would not impose the promised curses.

But God, who can always be trusted to fulfill His promises—both blessings and curses—allows the people to be taken into captivity. They remain in captivity in Babylonia for seventy years before He allows them to return home to Jerusalem. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of the exiles’ return and their rebuilding efforts. As they rebuild, they must face not only opposition from outsiders but also debilitating doubts from within.

The book of Nehemiah is not a collection of moral lessons, but a record of real people and real events that took place in history. Yet because it is God’s Word, it also speaks beyond its original moment. As we read, we can discern truths that are not imposed on the text, but faithfully drawn from it and applied to our own time.

When Nehemiah walked around Jerusalem, he saw burned stones, broken walls and a vulnerable city full of rubble. Sin and disobedience were the cause of the destruction. This physical devastation was the visible result of generations of sin and rebellion against God. In the same way, sin does not leave our lives untouched. It tears down what was meant to protect us, fractures what was built for wholeness, and leaves behind ruin we cannot ignore. Nehemiah’s story invites us to consider not only how God restores a city, but how He restores lives broken by sin.

God desires a humble and contrite heart (Isaiah 66:2). In Nehemiah 1:4–8, we see this posture reflected in Nehemiah’s response to Jerusalem’s ruin. He acknowledges not only his own sin, but the corporate sin of his people. In prayer, he pleads for God’s forgiveness and appeals to His promise of restoration. Humbling our hearts and honestly confessing our sin is always the first step toward restoration and rebuilding.

Ray Stedman writes in one of his teachings on Nehemiah, "You will never build the walls of your life until you have first become greatly concerned about the ruins. Have you ever taken a good look at the ruins in your own life?"

When Nehemiah first arrives in Jerusalem, he takes a late-night stroll around the city to accurately assess the extent of the devastation. In the same way, rebuilding our own lives begins with a truthful assessment of the damage our sins have caused in our lives and in those around us. This kind of honest evaluation is uncomfortable, but it is necessary if we are to change direction and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Rebuilding is rarely quick or simple. In construction, it is often easier and faster to build something new than to rebuild what has been demolished. Clearing rubble is time-consuming and painfully laborious, requiring months of preparation before rebuilding can even begin. The same is true of the spiritual and emotional rubble left behind after a destructive season in our lives. And not every destructive season is the direct result of personal sin. Unexpected medical diagnoses, tragic accidents, job loss, infertility, divorce, death, and countless other losses can fracture our lives in ways we did not choose. Yet the rubble they leave behind is no less real, and the need for restoration remains.

Nehemiah and the people divided up the labor, and each of the city's ten gates were restored. Each gate in Jerusalem served a purpose, and many believe that each also carried a symbolic meaning. Yet, in a very practical sense, broken gates meant vulnerability. Until the gates were rebuilt and functioning, the people remained exposed to attack.

This reality has clear implications for our own lives. In Ephesians, Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. Just as it would do little good to have only a few gates or a few sections of the wall rebuilt, wearing partial armor leaves you vulnerable. Until the walls and gates were fully restored, the city remained at risk. In the same way, God’s armor protects our hearts and minds against Satan’s schemes, and we need all of it to stand firm. This includes spending time with God in prayer, immersing ourselves in His Word, and remaining connected to a community of believers. Satan can easily take advantage of any weak points.

Not everyone welcomed the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and not everyone will support God’s work of restoration in our lives. Nehemiah and the people faced repeated attempts to halt their progress—legal challenges, sabotage, and even threats to their lives. Yet at every turn, Nehemiah depended on God to provide what was needed. At times, the people worked with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other.

As God begins to rebuild our lives, we too may face resistance. Some may seek to undermine our

commitment and draw us back toward old patterns of sin. Others may cast doubt, causing us to question God’s ability to restore what has been broken. This is why honest repentance must be followed by consistent time in God’s Word and deep connection within a committed community. Like the people of Jerusalem, we are not meant to stand alone. Together, they resisted opposition and continued the work God had called them to do.

Thankfully, God’s promise to restore and rebuild is not limited to those who are free from blame; He meets us even when the mess is of our own making. God’s grace is freely given to all who repent and return to Him. From the very beginning, our God made life where there was none as He created the world and all that fills it. He continues to bring dead things back to life - whether through the dry bones in Ezekiel (37), Lazarus in John 11, or most powerfully, the resurrection of Jesus the Christ (Luke 24). He takes the shattered pieces of our broken lives and restores them, making them new so they might reflect His beauty, goodness, and truth to the world.

The turning of a new year is often a time of reflection and resolution. Take some time to read the story of Nehemiah and ponder your own life. Where have the walls of faith fallen? Where have the gates of truth been left open to falseness or doubt? Are there people pulling you away from God, or have you neglected assembling with your Christian family? Examine your heart and run to God so that He can restore your heart and soul and rebuild what has been broken.

Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Acts 3:19-21: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord".

2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people... will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness”.

1 Peter 5:10: "...the God of all grace... will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you”.

Joel 2:25: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten..."

Isaiah 57:18: "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to them...".