Ann Cruz

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

Oil on canvas

Nehemiah 2:13-15 13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. This painting depicts a type of resolve in the loneliness of God’s calling. The difficult work Nehemiah must do in preperation for the rebuilding of God’s city and the restoration of His people. Rebuilding the wall paves the way for Christ to come through those very gates as the one who ultimately lead us to repentance and a rebuilt life. In the painting a cup of wine, a wooden tree , a crown of thorns and in the distance Galgotha are foreshadows of what is to come. Look closely.

Lily Mahar

Pray Without Ceasing

Graphite pencils and paper

This piece is about continually reaching out to God in prayer in every circumstance the way Nehemiah did before, during, and after the rebuilding of the wall. The first scene demonstrates Nehemiah praying to God on his bed in sorrow and in preparation before talking to the king. In the second scene, he’s in the presence of the king, but before he answers him, he prays discreetly to God. The last part of the piece is about praise. Nehemiah and all the people are rejoicing and praising the Lord saying “Amen, Amen” with their hands reaching for God and their heads bowed, overjoyed with gratitude.

Jessica Firkins

Nehemiah Prayed

Colored Pencil on Pastelbord

12” x 16”

"Based on Nehemiah 1:1-11

When I read this, I pictured Nehemiah standing in the midst of abundance and great human accomplishment at the citadel of Susa and grieving the condition of Jerusalem. Perhaps seeing what could be accomplished for an earthly king helped Nehemiah to envision what could be accomplished in Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s uplifted hands are lifting Jerusalem and God’s people up in prayer. This is framed with flowers, fruit and nuts that would have been available at the time and are symbolic of abundance."

Marianne Spekner

The Journey (Seeing God’s glory)

Acrylic paint on canvas, lined with Micron ink pens

24”x48”

The dove represents Jesus Christ, guiding her on her journey, and the snake is a representation of the enemy, who reminds us of our past (The old self). The tree roots below are our roots in Christ as our foundation, and He is building us up in His likeness throughout our lives, and the purple ribbon she has in her hair becomes a covering for her that hides her shame. The gold clouds and leaves are the Holy Spirit moving us along like the wind. In the final panel, the dove symbolizes the cross, how Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us new life.

Nehemiah recounts the history of how God restored and revitalized his city and his people in the 5th century BC. God did this by bringing the Israelites back from exile, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and renewing their covenant to love and worship Him. It is a powerful narrative that points forward to Jesus, the great reformer, the cornerstone of the Christian church.

The artists in this collection have reflectively springboarded from this account to tell our own stories, create new music, and craft visual, tactile, and tasteable art. As you contemplate the works, we invite you to engage your imagination, intellect, feelings, senses, and memory. May you be inspired to wonder what divine truths are being communicated, what connections to your life story can be made, what beauty can be uncovered.