By now, it was spring (the month Nisan, approximating April). Precisely at what time or how long Nehemiah had prayed along the lines noted in chapter one, we are not told. It is clear that approximately four months had passed since he first received the news concerning Jerusalem. It is also clear from 1:11, that the very day he was to make his request before Artaxerxes, he had prayed about the matter.

He notes that in appearing before the king he was distraught. In all likelihood, his evident distress was more than just sorrow over the affairs of Jerusalem (he had known thereof for four months). He was likely very anxious and it showed. The king in knowing Nehemiah personally, immediately picked up upon his demeanor and asked him about it. This only agitated Nehemiah all the more. Part of his job description was to be of good cheer in the presence of the king. He was not.

Moreover, the king likely wondered if he were not sick which likewise had profound implications for a cupbearer. Artaxerxes perceptively discerned Nehemiah’s anxiety was in his heart.

Nehemiah recounted to the king how that his homeland and the place of his ancestors was desolate. The king asked him what his request was. Of interest was how at that moment, Nehemiah prayed in his spirit on the spot for God’s help. It is evident he did not pray verbally or out loud. In that instant, however, he pled with God for help in what he was about to ask. He truly was instant in prayer.

Nehemiah directly requested permission to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. The king asked him how long this journey would be and when he would return. Nehemiah’s reply is not specifically noted, though he did “set him a time.” The length of the book is twelve years.

It is likely that is not what Nehemiah requested. Rather, it seems that he went to Jerusalem, got the job done, and then returned. Though not explicitly noted, he evidently was then sent back to Jerusalem as a duly appointed governor.

Nehemiah further requested from king Artaxerxes letters verifying and authorizing his mission for the local authorities “beyond the river” (west of the Euphrates). He also requested permission for timber to be cut and prepared from the king’s forest (likely in Lebanon). His need for such timbers is noted for the palace (adjacent to the Temple) the gates, and other necessary construction. Artaxerxes granted all he requested. However, Nehemiah notes that the greater reason was “according to the good hand of my God upon me.”

Nehemiah made the journey from Persia to the region of Jerusalem and delivered his letters of authorization to the local authorities. He also notes that Artaxerxes had sent officers and horsemen from the Persia army for protection and no doubt to further authenticate the royal authority by which he came. Note is made that the enemies of God’s people were not happy upon hearing of the coming strengthening of God’s work. Little is known of Sanballat and Tobiah. They evidently were Ammonites. They likely were local governmental officials of the Persian Empire because they were made aware of the mission even before anyone in Jerusalem knew anything about it. Notice how that they were grieved that someone would come to “seek the welfare of the children of Israel.”

There may have been anti-Semitism involved. It had have been the long historic enmity between Jews and local gentiles. It may have been motivated by pagan disdain for the worship of Jehovah God by the Jews. In any event, their hatred and soon opposition is all too typical of Satan and how he operates. He will always do everything at his disposal to hinder God’s work.

Nehemiah records how upon arriving at Jerusalem, he evidently rested three days and then proceeded to secretly survey the situation. He arose in the middle of the night. Though not stated, there very well may have been good moonlight for the nocturnal mission.

He along with companions of the mission rode on horseback around the city and surveyed the continuing desolation of the city. Ancient cities relied upon fortified walls for their defense. Jerusalem’s walls had been torn down by the Babylonians many years earlier. The remnants of the gates of the city remained charred from their burning. Jerusalem was defenseless and apparently at the mercy of unfriendly neighboring peoples. No doubt part of their continuing distress was related to their lack of defense.

Marauding bands of outlaws and local tyrants could and apparently did pillage them at will.

Nehemiah’s nocturnal survey of the city apparently began a gate opening to the Tyropoeon Valley to the southwest and circled around to the Kidron Valley. He surveyed the southern portion of the city and then returned to whence he began. It clearly was an difficult task, such that his steed could not pass for all the rubble, especially at night.

In verse 15, we see that to this point, Nehemiah had not told anyone at Jerusalem why he had come. His survey of the city by night was in secret. Evidently, the local political leadership of the city were gentiles appointed by the Persians. It may have even been under the jurisdiction of Sanballat and Tobiah. They evidently had little interest in the welfare of the Jewish remnant there. Nehemiah had not informed them or the Jews of his mission. But now he had a clear sense of the magnitude of the project which lay ahead.

Shortly thereafter, maybe even the next day, Nehemiah revealed his mission. He reminded those who had become accustomed to the desolation just how bad it really was. Often someone coming in from the outside will have a better perspective of a situation than those who have lived with it for a long period. Nehemiah announced his plan to rebuild the wall of the city.

With the authority of the Persian Empire backing him, he urged his Jewish brethren to "come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach”. He further revealed to them of “the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me.” They united together and said, “Let us rise up and build.” The reference to their hands being strengthened has the idea: they were encouraged to proceed.

Their enemies immediately began to cause trouble. You can be sure if you are really doing a work for the Lord, Satan will cause some kind of problem. Initially, it was by mocking them, snickering at them, and sowing doubt. They insinuated how their impending work would be viewed as rebellion against the king.

Satan always lies. Their work was with the blessing of the king. Yet Satan will use any device he can muster to hinder God’s work. Deceit is a common satanic tactic.

We see Nehemiah’s response in the last verse of the chapter. In response, Nehemiah hit the nail on the head. He noted that “the God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.”

He warned the opponents that they had no historic portion (i.e., inheritance in Jerusalem), no rights there, and no memorial (no family ancestors). The opposition is not unlike that which modern Israel has faced from disgruntled Palestinians in the twentieth century. Nehemiah was a man with a purpose, and was not moved from the goal when opposition arose. We should as Christians use this as an example of how we too should be strong and unmovable in our work for the Lord. Remember the words of Paul to the Corinthian church.