The Book of Nehemiah deals largely with the problems of Jerusalem after the return of the exiles. Its walls and gates have been left in ruins, and the city lies defenseless. Nehemiah, however, is not content to let this situation continue!
Nehemiah cuts right to the chase. In the third verse, we hear of the dire situation of Jerusalem. When Nehemiah asks one of his brothers and a group coming from Judah for the state of the country, "They replied, 'The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.'"
Nehemiah's immediate reaction to this disaster and disgrace is to fast and pray. He weeps for the Promised Land and the plight of God's people. In earnestness, he begs the Lord to have mercy on the Israelites and restore their fortunes, as He promised to do in the days of Moses should the people return to Him (vs. 8 and 9). The rest of the action of this book can be traced back to Nehemiah's fervent prayer in chapter one.
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