When the protective wall around the city of Jerusalem fell in ruins, it became the highest

priority for the Israelites to reconstruct their defense, brick by brick.

The man who picked up the mantle of leadership was Nehemiah.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall continues his study of his remarkable life

and the overwhelming project under Nehemiah's authority.

It's a series we're calling Hand Me Another Brick.

Whatever role God has called Utifil, Nehemiah provides timeless wisdom to guide you.

In Nehemiah chapter 1, we find a leader from the knees up.

It has been said and it is true that the real Jew never gets his heart out of Jerusalem.

That was true of Nehemiah.

He was 800 miles away but his heart beat for the people and the city that he loved.

So he said to his friends, how are things in Jerusalem?

Now that you have gone back and the temple has been built, how are things going among

my people?

How are things going in the city that I love?

Verse 3 is the answer.

First they answer the first question.

The remnant, that is, the people there in the province who survive the captivity are

in great distress and reproach.

What does he do?

Verse 4 through verse 11, these verses are the reaction of Nehemiah.

I am deeply impressed with the fact that this individual, though he was in a high ranking

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