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Israel Watch
RESTORE
By
JOYCE STEVENS
JUNE
2009
Did
you know that God is in the business of restoring? The prefix “re” denotes
return.
To restore means to bring
back to its original state or to an improved condition or to bring back to a
former or normal condition by repairing, rebuilding or refurbishing.
Throughout God’s word
you can find many words that begin with the prefix “re”. Such as recall,
redeem, refresh, repair, repent, restore, or revive; just to name a few.
In the Hebrew the word
restore means to make complete, to finish, make good, to make whole, and denotes
perfection in the sense that a condition or action is complete.
In the Greek the word
restore means to return to its former condition or to be in its former state.
Restoring something is
always a process. I love the definition I’ve found of that word. A process is
a series of events that occur in a specific sequence that produces a result.
Recently my husband and I
had the privilege of staying in our oldest daughter home for nine days. We
cared for their menagerie while they were on vacation.
Whenever I am there I
always admire a lovely old oak buffet she has in her dining room that her
husband restored. This old buffet came from my husbands’ parents and was the
only thing I wanted to keep when we closed their home. It was not beautiful
then, it had been painted many times during the time that I was part of their
family and was presently a medium shade of brown. In addition, it had been in
our cellar for over 20 years. Our daughter didn’t even remember it was down
there until one day the old buffet came up in our conversation. She and her
husband immediately went to see it and asked if they could have it.
Any process of restoration
will take time and effort. It will cost you something. My son-in-law spend
over 60 hours restoring that old buffet, it took time, money, patience and the
proper supplies and materials. The many layers of paint were removed one layer
at a time and beneath all that paint was a beautiful oak finish. They looked at
an old dirty broken down painted piece of furniture and saw the potential for
something beautiful. They stripped, replaced any broken pieces and searched for
and found crystal knobs that matched the original ones that were missing. It
has been restored to its original state. It was now a beautiful oak buffet, a
thing of beauty and of use in their home.
In Romans 5:8 it tells us that while we were yet sinners that
God commendeth his love towards us and Christ died for us. This word commendeth
means He gave His approval to or He demonstrated His love towards us.
While we were yet sinners
God looked beyond the broken parts of a wasted life and as the song says, He saw
something beautiful, something good. He cleansed us with the precious blood of
His Son Jesus Christ and began the process of restoring us into a vessel useful
for His kingdom. Unlike a piece of furniture this restoration is not a one-time
process. I have been a Christian for almost 40 years and He is still working on
me. It is a process of learning and changing, in 2 Corinthians 3:18 it says we
are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
Whenever I think of or hear
the word restoration it usually reminds me of the story in the book of Nehemiah
and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah was a descendant
of the Jewish people who had been taken captive to Babylon. Here he is the
personal cupbearer to the Persian ruler at that time, Artaxerxes. His name
Nehemiah means, “God is Consolation”.
When Nehemiah heard about
the condition of Jerusalem he was grieved and set his face to fast and pray. He
was deeply concerned that the walls were broken and in need of restoration. He
knew that only God could make a way possible for the restoring of those walls.
He put first things first. He has his priorities in right order; he fasted and
prayed for divine direction and intervention. What an example for us to
follow: Pray first - Plan after.
Nehemiah 1:2-4 NIV
2
Hanani, one
of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about
the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They
said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in
great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates
have been burned with fire."
4 When
I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted
and prayed before the God of heaven.
His grief and concern
of the condition of Jerusalem could not be hidden. When he was called to the
King’s presence it gave him the opportunity to make his
request known. To come
into the presence of the King without being called could mean his death. Even
though Nehemiah was afraid, he openly told the King the reason for his sad
countenance. Sometimes we just have to do things afraid and trust God with the
results.
Nehemiah 2:1-2
KJV
And it came to pass in
the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was
before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had
not been beforetime sad in his presence.
2 Wherefore
the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick?
this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
God gave him the
courage to boldly ask for not only permission to return to Jerusalem but for the
materials he would need and the necessary papers for protection and approval.
God gave Nehemiah divine favor with the king.
Nehemiah 2:4-9
NIV
4 The
king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven,
5 and
I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor
in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried
so that I can rebuild it."
6 Then
the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your
journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I
set a time.
7 I
also said to him, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors
of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in
Judah?
8 And
may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me
timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city
wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my
God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
9 So
I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. The
king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
When Nehemiah arrived
in Jerusalem he did not consult with anyone concerning his plans to rebuild the
walls. He went alone to survey the damage done to the walls. He was determined
to do whatever it took to accomplish the restoration.
Nehemiah 2:13 NIV
By night I went out
through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal
a Well and the Dung
Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its
gates, which had been destroyed by fire.
After Nehemiah surveyed
the walls and was sensitive to the situation, he shared with the people God’s
plan. Notice that he did not criticize them for not rebuilding the walls; he
simply stated the problem and shared the solution God had given him. This
brought about a positive response. Many times our attitude concerning a problem
can determine the response we receive. This is something we should be mindful
of when we address any issue. Is our attitude right in the sight of God?
Nehemiah 2:17-18
NIV
17 Then
I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its
gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem,
and we will no longer be in disgrace."
18 I
also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had
said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good
work.
Nehemiah 4:6 NIV
So we rebuilt the wall
till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their
heart.
Whenever you determine
to do a good work for God you will always run into the criticisms of people like
Sanballat and Tobiah. Nehemiah overcame evil through prayer. Prayer and
diligent preparation for battle is a key to overcoming. Just as Nehemiah faced
opposition when he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, we will face
opposition when we follow after God’s plans and purposes.
Nehemiah 4:7-10
NIV
7 But
when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard
that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were
being closed, they were very angry.
8 They
all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble
against it.
9 But
we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
10 Meanwhile,
the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there
is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."
Nehemiah encouraged the
people, reminding them that God would fight for them. When our work for God is
undertaken in faith to bring God glory and to bless and restore, we can be
certain that no matter how great the trials, God will fight for us.
Nehemiah 4:14-16
NIV
14
After I
looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the
rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great
and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your
wives and your homes."
15 When
our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated
it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.
16 From
that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped
with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all
the people of Judah
17 who
were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand
and held a weapon in the other,
18 and
each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who
sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
The wall is completed
in just 52 days. This victory came because God fought for his people, because
they had a courageous and persevering leader in Nehemiah and because the people
had a heart to work. These are important factors in every victory; God has His
part and we have our part. God will always fight for his people who are united
in faith and working together to fulfill God’s plan and purpose. Even Satan has
to acknowledge that this victory was the hand of God.
Nehemiah 6:15-16
NIV
15 So
the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
16 When
all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and
lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done
with the help of our God.
The completion of rebuilding the walls was just a portion of
the work still to be done. Nehemiah rebuilt and set the doors in place for what
good are walls if the gates are not in place and attended properly. The gates
of the city were vital to the protection of the city. Often the gates of a city
are structures that are
deeper than the walls. The enemy usually attacks the gate of
a city. The gates of a city were places where local courts were held. Goods
were bought and sold at the gates. Symbolically speaking gates are entrances of
the ways leading to life and to destruction; they are often spoken of as symbols
of power and authority. God promised Abraham that his descendants would possess
the gates of their enemies (Genesis 22:17). We would do well to guard
the gates to our person, our eye gate, ear gate or mouth gate. I’m sure many of
us remember that song we used to sing when we were much younger, “Be careful
little eye what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little
mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down with peace and
love.”
He also set two men of integrity and who had been proven
faithful to God and demonstrated godly fear in charge of the city. He
established a correct political order and began to set the spiritual house in
order. In Isaiah 62:6 God said He has set watchman upon they walls, O
Jerusalem! These are the ministers He has appointed to watch over His people.
Having our lives in right order is our defense against the enemy.
Then Nehemiah said, “God put it in his heart to look at the
registry for the names of those who had returned from exile. Nehemiah 11:1-2
tells us that the leaders settled in Jerusalem and they cast lots to bring one
of every ten family into Jerusalem to live. Nehemiah knew there is strength in
numbers and that the safety of the city depended upon more than the strength of
the wall and gates.
Nehemiah 7:1-5
NIV
After the wall had been
rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and
the Levites were appointed.
2 I
put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with
a Hananiah the
commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more
than most men do.
3 I
said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot.
While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them.
Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near
their own houses."
4 Now
the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses
had not yet been rebuilt.
5 So
my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common
people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those
who had been the first to return.
All the Israelites were
gathered to hear Ezra the priest read God’s word and a diligent effort was made
to ensure its meaning. This occurred for seven days. Ezra the priest read the
Book of the Law for six hours every day. How long do we sit in church on a
Sunday morning? Two of the greatest evidences of true revival among God’s
people are a hunger and thirst for God’s Word and for fellowship with God
through prayer.
They wept when they
realized they had sinned against God but were comforted and healed by the words
of peace they heard. It is a good thing to have our hearts affected by hearing
the Word of God and by responding to what was heard. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 says
that to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven; a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to
dance. This was a holy day and it was time to rejoice and allow even our sorrow
for sin not hinder our joy but prepare us for it. Forgiveness of our sins
brings wonderful peace and joy into our lives.
Nehemiah 8:1-2
KJV
And all the people
gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the
water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of
Moses, which the Lord had
commanded to Israel.
2 And
Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women,
and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh
month.
Nehemiah 8:9-10
KJV
9 And
Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the
Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto
the Lord your God; mourn not, nor
weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then
he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send
portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our
Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the
Lord is your strength.
The people heard the
word of God; responded by repenting of the sins they had committed. They
committed to obey the will of God and to serve the Lord in faithfulness to all
His commands. They promised to separate themselves from sin and the world and
to support God’s work with their time, money and resources.
God still expects
demands the same from His people today. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 says that we are
to come out from among unbeliever and separate ourselves,
do not touch their
filthy things and He would welcome us and be our Father and we would be His sons
and daughters.
When they were fully
sanctified and cleansed the priest and Levites dedicated the walls of Jerusalem
and purified the people.
Nehemiah 12:27-30 NIV
27 At
the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where
they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication
with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
28 The
singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem — from the
villages of the Netophathites,
29 from
Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built
villages for themselves around Jerusalem.
30 When
the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the
people, the gates and the wall.
Nehemiah was a man of
integrity and kept his word to the king. When he had completed the work he
returned and took his place as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Please note that
because he was true to his word the first time the king had confidence that he
would return when he requested to return to Jerusalem.
Even after all God had
done for Jerusalem in the rebuilding of the walls, the city of Jerusalem itself,
the great dedication and the promises made; when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem
he found the leadership has become lax in their spiritual and moral commitments
to God. Satan had found a way to deceive the people and he used the very person
who came against Nehemiah from the beginning.
1 Peter 5:8 says that
we need to be vigilant because our adversary Satan is like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour. The Message Bible says it like this:
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Keep
a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing
better than to catch you napping.
9 Keep
your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times.
It's the same with
Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.
Once again Nehemiah had
the temple purified and restored right order in the priesthood.
Nehemiah 13:6-9
NIV
6 But
while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second
year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I
asked his permission
7 and
came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in
providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.
8 I
was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room.
9 I
gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of
the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.
Conclusion:
Nehemiah is a wonderful
story of what a man of integrity walking in obedience to God’s call can
accomplish for the glory of God.
Nehemiah was a
courageous, determined, fearless leader who led by example.
Nehemiah is an example
of how important prayer is in our walk with God. He prayed and fasted and
sought God’s divine direction first.
Nehemiah knew he needed
strength and guidance from God if he was to complete his assignment of restoring
Jerusalem.
Thousand of years may
have passed since the day of Nehemiah but God’s process has not changed. He is
still calling courageous, determined, fearless men and women of prayer to do the
work of the ministry.
There are many broken
wasted lives that are longing to be restored. Our God is in the business of
restoring. He needs men and women like Nehemiah who will see the need, be
grieved in their hearts and set their faces to fast and pray. And then be
obedient and go to restore the broken walls in the hearts of the broken and lost
through the Word of God and prayer.
To restore means
to bring back to its original state or to an improved condition.
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