Jerusalem

Opposition to Nehemiah’s plan strikes immediately he comes to Jerusalem.  Sanballat and Tobiah objected to anyone coming to seek the welfare of the Jewish remnant.  They were of the tribes which had been displaced when the Israelites came to the Promised Land.  They were now regional governors serving under the king of Persia, the same king who had given Nehemiah leave to rebuilt Jerusalem.

That, for me, sheds light on the old story of opposition to Nehemiah’s work.  At least the people had a reason for their attitude.  It seems Sanballat was a Samaritan.  The verse “…but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem” (2:20) puzzles me somewhat.  Is it that they didn’t have a true idea of God?  Didn’t know how to get in touch with God?

Joyce Voysey

ED: NLT translates Neh 2: 20 like this: You have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.
The Message: You get no say in this - Jerusalem's none of your business!

It's interesting that this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson is all about "portion". It's such a current topic: How much will I be paid? How much shall I eat? What portion of the pie is for me? What is my entitlement? How much land does that country occupy? etc etc

Today on ABC Classis, Margaret Throsby interviewed author Alan Gold.  During the interview he mentioned that he has written a historical novel about Jerusalem, possibly one of the world's oldest cities, dating back some 5000 years.