This is a metaphor of each of our lives with the Lord
and how we need to keep our armour in excellent condition as it helps protect us from the enemy.
I suppose it was even for those who were alive when they rebuilt the wall to recognize their failings.
The lessons in the Holy Bible are quickened to us by the Holy Spirit as we need them.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
We are to keep our walls fortified and in good working order and our weapons ready to battle the enemy
and keep our task at hand, which is to do all things unto the Lord.
The walls of Jerusalem had been compromised.
The enemies had done damage and this happened because they lost their zeal to serve the Lord.
Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying,
If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: Nehemiah 1:8
Nehemiah has always reminded me of how important it is to fortify our walls,
of how important it is not to have a breach in our armour.
How important it is to follow God’s precepts, to obey Him and to keep our walls strong.
And they said unto me,
The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach:
the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days,
and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God,
that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe His commandments:
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open,
that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night,
for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel,
which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. Nehemiah 1:3-6
Nehemiah’s first step was to seek the Lord.
He said,
I sat down and wept
and mourned certain days,
and fasted,
and prayed before the God of Heaven
He mentioned to God that he recognized how great God was.
He brought to mind how great and merciful God was.
And then, Nehemiah confessed the sins of the children of Israel.
While Nehemiah was pleading with God to recognize that His people had lost His protection
due to their own lackadaisical honor of God,
and had allowed the enemy to not only breach the walls, but to set up fortresses inside.
There was a removal to be done, a purging and an eviction of the enemy.
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded,
every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded.
And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people,
The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet,
resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. Nehemiah 4:17-20
They had a sword in one hand and worked to rebuild the wall with the other.
The building of the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah shows many spiritual efforts
made to bring the people and the city back to right standing with God.
These many examples can encourage us in the Lord to honor Him in a greater way.