REVIVAL TALK

Nehemiah is an inspiring Old Testament leader. God used Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem around 446 B. C., to repair and rebuild the protective walls around the city. Nehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra, who was a priest that led the second of three groups who had been captive in Babylon back to Jerusalem. In 538 BC Cyrus, who conquered Babylon, issued an edict that the Jewish people could return to Jerusalem, rebuild the city and the temple. The first was led by Zerubbabel. Upon arrival the first group starts rebuilding the temple, but opposition from the non-Jewish inhabitants discourages the people and they cease their work. God raised up two prophets to call the people to complete the task, Haggai and Zechariah. Nehemiah is called to complete the work that had been started by Zerubbabel. When the captives returned they found the city in ruins. The temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the gold and silver implements had been taken as spoils of war. Zerubbabel and the early