Nehemiah, Day 1 Readings

Nehemiah Asks to Return to Jerusalem and Rebuild the City's Wall  

Today's reading describes the return of Nehemiah, who will become governor of the returning Israelite exiles.  In exile, he serves as cupbearer of King Artaxerxes, but he dreams of those Israelites who were not taken into captivity in Babylon and remain in the Promised Land.  He asks permission to return to the land to rebuild the city wall of Jerusalem.

Though no reason is given, the king grants Nehemiah's request and gives him authority to rebuild the wall.  Soon after arriving, Nehemiah discovers how large a task it will be to rebuild the wall and its gates.

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:20  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Nehemiah 1-3 today.