Nehemiah served as the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes of Persia. Esther is Artaxerxes’ stepmother, and it is possible that she was instrumental in his appointment to this position. Nehemiah was granted permission by the king to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. Once the rebuilding begins, so does the opposition. At stake was the promise made to King David that his royal descendants and nation would never end. To put it another way, God’s promise-keeping ability was at stake. In spite of opposition the task is completed in fifty-two days, a feat even the enemies of Israel attribute to God. With both the temple and the wall restored, the messianic line is once again protected.
