The Noontimes

Nehemiah: Rebuilding the Temple

Saturday, October 5, 2024

We have seen themes develop in our journey through the stories of Ezra & Nehemiah; and at various times in our lives we respond to God’s call to reform, rebuild and transform. Nehemiah serves as an example to us today.

From the notes of the NAB: Nehemiah was the man of action who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and introduced necessary administrative reforms.  He was a man dedicated to the single purpose of the welfare of his people. He serves as an exemplar to lay people today.

When we are given the God-graced opportunity to begin anew, we do well to look at the upside. Rather than view a loss as only the lack of something, we might look at ourselves in our circumstances as receivers of the gift of change, the gift of an opportunity to reform and rebuild. We are reminded again of St Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians: to rejoice in all circumstances, for in them we see the will of Christ Jesus.

As we near the harvest time of year when we begin to snug in for winter to light candles in the dark, we might also think of ways that we can wipe slates clean, make amends where we can, thank God for all gifts given, turn over our grief about the small and large places in life where we suffer, and allow our sorrow about things lost to transform us into lights as numerous as the stars in the heavens. We might be new Abrams and Sarais who look up at the afternoon desert sky when Yahweh says, “Your children will be as numerous as the stars in the sky.” Abram could not see the stars because it was daylight; but he had the imagination and hope necessary to hear and understand God’s word. (Genesis 26:4)

There is great possibility present when grief visits us.  There can be great newness in the nothingness we feel at the low points in our lives.  Like Nehemiah, we must be single-minded and dedicated. And we must allow ourselves to love with a love of life that knows no bounds.

Image from: https://madainproject.com/phasael_tower

Adapted from a Favorite written on December 3, 2007.