After all the hard work and obstacles, the people reach the moment they’ve been waiting for this entire time. it’s dedication day and the people celebrate the start to their new life in their newly rebuilt city.

The story of Nehemiah is beginning to come to its close. After having just confessed to a ridiculous pattern of habitual sins through the generations, the remnant in Jerusalem now makes a firm commitment to return to the Lord in holiness, justice, and sacrificial worship as they begin their new lives in their rebuilt city.

With the wall complete and the truth of God’s Word before them, the people enter into an intentional time of confession that recounts the story of God’s faithfulness in the wake of their unfaithfulness.

In our series through Nehemiah, the rebuilding project is reaching its end. The breaches are closing, and the city of Jerusalem is nearly ready to welcome the exiles from faraway lands. However, this doesn’t stop Nehemiah’s enemies from making a few final attempts to destroy him and end the initiative. As their efforts inevitably fail, we see God glorified and the wall finally completed.

As the rebuilding of the wall continues, the moral damage in the hearts of the people rises to the surface. This leads Nehemiah to take corrective action, calling out massive injustices being carried out by richer Jews against the poorer ones.

The people are actively and feverishly rebuilding, but as they do, they are faced with steep opposition from their enemies. This comes in the form of both ridicule and threats. But in the face of the opposition, they keep their focus on God, who will fight for them, leading to a pivotal turning point.

Following Nehemiah’s arrival in the city with a fresh mandate by the Lord and the Persian king, the people are motivated to repair the walls of Jerusalem. Everyone, from the priests and officials to the middle-class workers, plays their part in bringing Jerusalem back to her former glory for the purpose of worshipping and glorifying God in their ancient home.

After months of preparing, planning, and praying, Nehemiah finally journeys to Jerusalem and lays eyes on the city’s destruction. He comes in quietly before boldly calling the people to action. As he does, he encounters enemies who are less than pleased by Nehemiah’s initiative.

After hearing the news that Jerusalem's walls remain in ruins, Nehemiah is grieved by his nation's current state and the sin that led up to it. Having spent months in prayer and waiting for the right moment, he reaches the point of action. As he requests the king's permission to go back and rebuild the walls, Nehemiah demonstrates faithful obedience and dependence on the Lord.