Walls

  Over the last week or so, I've been reading the book of Nehemiah.  Yes, it is ancient history and has long lists of who and how many did what.  But I've been intrigued by the necessity of building a wall of protection around the city.
  The setting is Jerusalem during the time of the exiles returning from Babylon in the mid-400s B.C.  (The Babylonians had completely flattened the city while taking all but a few of the Israelites captive.)   Ezra, the priest, has been leading the returnees in rebuilding the Temple and restoring worship.  People also had to start their lives over.  Housing, farms and flocks had to be re-established.  In the middle of all this, Nehemiah, a wine steward to the Persian king (the Persians had conquered the Babylonians), asked to be allowed to return to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city.  He even gets supplies, particularly timber, to erect a new city wall.  Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem, rallies the people and builds a new city wall, gates included, in only 52 days.  Even their enemies recognize that such a feat is only possible with God's assistance.  
  This story got me thinking about walls and what wall of protection we might need in our own lives as Christians.  Do we need such a wall of protection?  If so, do we have one?  If not, how do we get one?  
  Stay tuned.  We'll have more on this in the coming days.

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