Nehemiah 1 - 2
Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project®
for Kids; we certainly have come a long way together! From creation and
the fall all the way through the Babylonian exile, God’s promises stand
firm. This unit, preschoolers will continue with the account of the
returning exiles, now known as Jews—people from the kingdom of Judah.
Two or three million Jews had originally been deported, but only a
remnant—50,000 people—returned after King Cyrus gave them permission to
go home. Nehemiah’s story takes place after Ezra led a second group of
exiles back to Judah. Nehemiah was a Jew living in Persia. He served as
the king’s cupbearer, a position of great trust.
Nehemiah
received word about God’s people who had returned to Judah. They were
in trouble and living in shame; the walls of Jerusalem were broken down,
and the city gates were burned. They lived in fear, unprotected from
their enemies. Nehemiah sat down and wept. Nehemiah fasted and prayed
for days. He remembered God’s promise to His people. Their disobedience
led to exile, but if they turned back to the Lord, God promised to
restore their fortunes and give His people a home. (See Deuteronomy 30:1-10.)
The
king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness, and Nehemiah was afraid. After saying a
quick prayer, Nehemiah explained the plight of his city. The king
granted him permission to return to Jerusalem. When Nehemiah arrived in
Jerusalem, he encouraged the people to rebuild the walls and he stood
confidently against opposition. Nehemiah trusted that God would keep His
promise to protect His people and give them a home. When we trust in
Jesus, we have a home in heaven with God. Jesus obeyed God perfectly. He
died on the cross and rose again so we can have a home with Him forever
in heaven.
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