This is Spoken Gospel.

We are dedicated to seeing 
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s 
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

There hasn’t been a king in 
Jerusalem for over a hundred years.

But Nehemiah will act
like the king Israel needs.

While some Jews have returned from 
exile, their lack of a God-fearing king  

has led them to corruption, injustice, and
the widespread disobedience of God’s laws.

And the crumbled state of Jerusalem’s walls are a
symbol of Israel’s decayed leadership and moral authority.

Nehemiah has begun to rebuild Israel’s broken walls, 
but he needs to rebuild Israel’s broken leadership too.

Nehemiah learns of severe
economic injustice among his people.

In order to afford the Persian king’s taxes
and to purchase food during a drought,

many poorer Jews have been forced to put up their
farmland and even their children as collateral for loans.

Meanwhile, the rich in the 
city have been made richer  

by keeping the profits made off the 
property and labor held in security.

 Outraged, Nehemiah challenges
the leaders to return all collateral

and the profits made off the
people to their original owners.

And surprisingly, the leaders listen 
and repent of their corruption.

Nehemiah is appointed as governor over 
Judah and continues a reign of justice.  

He refuses to accept the
perks afforded him as governor.

Instead, he uses his wealth to serve his 
officials and those coming to him for justice.

 Nehemiah acts like the king Jerusalem needs—and under
his rule the walls of Jerusalem are built, save for the gates.

Nehemiah’s enemies are increasingly desperate.

Before he can build the gates, they try to lure 
him outside the city wall, presumably for a truce.

But Nehemiah sees through the trap.

So instead, they send propaganda
into the city, claiming Nehemiah

is trying to take Jerusalem’s throne
and rebel against the king of Persia.

This lie carries a hint of truth. Nehemiah has assumed
more and more control of Israel,
and Israel does need a new king.

But Nehemiah is clear—kingship is not his intention
and he successfully stops the enemies' lies.

And by God’s help, the gates are installed, and 
the walls are rebuilt in an impossible 52 days.

The city, however, is empty.

None of the houses inside the city have been 
rebuilt and most of Israel remains in exile.

So, Nehemiah calls his people back to the city and recounts
the names of those who rebuilt the temple in Ezra chapter 2.

In faith, those exiles returned to their
homeland to rebuild God’s temple.

With the walls built, Nehemiah challenges a new
generation to come home and be God’s people once again.

[music]

Nehemiah acted as king.

Even his enemies pointed out that Nehemiah’s leadership 
seemed to be fulfilling the words of Israel’s prophets.

And rebuilding Jerusalem was supposed to
set the stage for Israel’s true king to return.

But Nehemiah was not Israel’s king. In fact, Israel would
not have her own king again until Jesus.

In Jesus’ day, like Nehemiah’s, injustice 
and oppression grew unchecked in Israel.

Jerusalem’s enemies overtook their
land and even installed their own kings.

And many of the Jewish people were still in exile.

But like Nehemiah, Jesus came to 
Jerusalem to be the leader they needed.

He cared for the poor, 
rebuked their oppressors.

and like Nehemiah, he refused the riches he 
deserved and instead provided for those in need.

But unlike Nehemiah, he provided justice not by staying in
the city walls when his enemy tried to trap him, but by
going outside the walls into the enemy’s hands.

Nehemiah’s enemies called him a king
in hopes that it might lead to his death,  

but Jesus’ enemies mockingly 
called him a king at his death.

But unlike Nehemiah, this title for 
Jesus couldn’t have been more accurate.

Jesus is the King of whom the prophets spoke.
He is the leader who brings justice, safety
from enemies, and builds us a home.

Ultimately, Jesus will do this when he returns.

In his final city, King Jesus will 
blot out evil and oppression forever.

He will keep us safe
and secure from all harm.

And as King of the whole earth, Jesus will 
bring all nations to himself as one people.

Jesus is the King we need.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God 
who always provides the leader his people need.

And may you see Jesus as our final King who 
brings justice, safety, and a home to all people.