Today I read Nehemiah 2 where he is given permission from his king, Artaxerxes to return and rebuilt Jerusalem. As I was reading this I could not help but think what a huge gesture this would be for a monarch of any nation to do. I mean here is a man, who is a conquered foreigner, asking for permission to not only leave the kingdom, but to rebuild a city that the monarch's ancestors conquered, destroyed and carried away captive all the people. That would kind of be like in America's history after the Trail of Tears happened, some of the American Indians asking the government if they could go back to their homeland and rebuild their tribe there. Could you imagine the government ever granting such a request?
And yet the kings of Persia did! They had to have had their hearts softened by the Lord. I can think of no other explanation for what happened. And so Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, not only allowed to rebuild the city, but with letters to men who control resources in the area stating that they are to help Nehemiah in any way he needs. Simply incredible! But the Lord really wanted the temple built in Jerusalem so He softened the kings of Persia's hearts. It truly is amazing what the Lord can accomplish! Until tomorrow.
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