Nehemiah’s Heart

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Tell me, Ezra, for you have found favor with me. What is it you desire more than anything else? I will grant you anything you request. 00:00:16 Speaker 3: Allow me to return to my people in Jerusalem. I long to worship the Lord there at the rebuilt temple. I also desire to bring the law of our prophet Moses... I will bring spiritual revival to my people. 00:00:31 Speaker 1: And with that, they fasted and they prayed as they prepared themselves for their long journey to Jerusalem, the land of promise, the land of their forefathers, the city established by David. And though the city's walls still lay in ruin, the hearts of the people had begun to stand tall again. Another return, was still to come. Another rebuilding still awaited. The Persian palace of Susa stood tall and majestic under the late afternoon sun, its spires glinting with gold as the scent of incense lingered in the air. Inside, the marbled corridors buzzed with quiet elegance. servants moving swiftly, courtiers laughing softly in huddled corners. But beyond the outer chambers, deeper within the royal complex, the mood was much heavier. Nehemiah paced rhythmically back and forth against the back wall of his chamber. The thumping of his heart pulsed warmly in his ears, but it wasn't enough to drown out his anguished thoughts. Anxious nerves clawed at his innermost being as compassion and heartbreak opened up the floodgates to his sobs. 00:02:13 Speaker 4: What has become of Israel? How long must we endure? Lord, incline your ear to me. 00:02:25 Speaker 5: Please! 00:02:26 Speaker 2: Oh, God! 00:02:30 Speaker 1: Nehemiah clutched at his burning chest with a tight grip as he pressed his other fist against his wet face. Images of Jerusalem's fallen wall flashed in his mind. He fell hard to the floor and felt the cold sting of the stone floor against his cheek. The words of Hanani, one of the men who had come from Judah, still echoed in his mind. 00:02:56 Speaker 5: People are in great trouble and disgrace, Nehemiah. 00:03:00 Speaker 2: The wall of Jerusalem is broken down. 00:03:03 Speaker 1: Her gates burned with fire. The words were filled with sorrow but not surprise. His eyes were barren as he spoke. This had been life for the returned Israelites for years. But for Nehemiah, something broke inside him at that moment. He had served faithfully in the king's court. He had earned favor and standing with royalty. He had earned respect and trust from the most powerful. But none of that mattered now. His people were suffering, and he was far from them. Day turned to evening, evening to night. Nehemiah neither ate nor drank. He wept, he prayed, and he waited. 00:03:50 Speaker 5: O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant. 00:04:10 Speaker 1: He pressed his forehead against the floor, his breath shallow and reverent. He couldn't comfort Israel in her time of need, but he knew the one who could. 00:04:24 Speaker 5: We have acted corruptly against you. We have not kept the commandments, the statutes, the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. You said, if we return to you and kept your commands... Even if we were exiled to the farthest horizon, you would gather us again and bring us back to the place you chose as a dwelling for your name. 00:04:52 Speaker 1: His voice cracked. 00:04:54 Speaker 5: Oh, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name. Give success to your servant today. Grant him mercy in the sight of this man. 00:05:11 Speaker 1: The oil lamp behind him hissed as it ran dry, extinguishing the flame. Silence settled around him like a warm cloak. Despite the darkness, a new flame began to ignite. A fire in Nehemiah's chest began to glow with a different kind of heat. 00:05:33 Speaker 2: Resolved. 00:05:35 Speaker 1: Passion flooded Nehemiah's heart for his nation. He would not sit idly by. Not anymore. The following day, the great court of King Artaxerxes bustled with movement. Gold and lapis gems shimmered on every surface, and long silken curtains billowed gently in the breeze. The light of midday spilled out onto the polished statues scattered throughout the great hall. The king, flanked by guards and noblemen, sat on his throne, lifted above the others. Nehemiah approached the base of the steps before the king, cup in hand. For decades he had served as cupbearer, idly listening to conversations others would only dream of hearing. smiling at the king's company as though his ears were deaf to their talk. He stepped forward and offered the goblet. Over the years his face had been the picture of composure, always pleasant, always respectful. But today something was different. Nehemiah's eyes remained fastened to the ground, his creased lips pursed in sorrow. Despite his best efforts to hide it, The grief etched into his features had not gone unnoticed. 00:07:03 Speaker 2: Nehemiah, why does your face look so troubled? 00:07:09 Speaker 1: Nehemiah froze. Rarely did he expect an acknowledgement in his duties, least of all from the king. 00:07:17 Speaker 2: Surely you are not ill, or I would have heard of it. There is something... else. 00:07:27 Speaker 2: I sense there is a great sadness in your heart. 00:07:31 Speaker 1: Nehemiah's throat dried. He was standing before the most powerful man in the Empire. While he had always found contentment in his anonymity, it was now apparent that his presence was more noticed than he realized. He vainly attempted to capture his emotions and translate them into words. One wrong answer could mean disgrace, or worse. But the God of Israel was with him. An unseen presence thrust Nehemiah forward as he bowed deeply. Truth demanded courage, and now was the time for truth. 00:08:11 Speaker 5: May the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city of my ancestors lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire? 00:08:24 Speaker 1: The court fell silent. The king studied him, then leaned forward slightly. 00:08:31 Speaker 2: Lift your head and meet my gaze. 00:08:35 Speaker 1: Nehemiah looked up hesitantly, but he was not met with anger or irritation as he thought he would. No, the eyes of the king were soft, studying his servant. He spoke calmly. 00:08:51 Speaker 2: What is it you would ask of me? 00:08:55 Speaker 1: The fear that had gripped Nehemiah's heart began to melt, his trembling hands easing their grip around the goblet. Nehemiah took a steady breath, then another. In his heart, he pleaded with God one more time. 00:09:12 Speaker 5: If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors, so that I may rebuild it. 00:09:26 Speaker 1: A pause that felt like eternity followed. The king exchanged a glance with the queen beside him. 00:09:34 Speaker 2: How long will your journey take? And when will you return? 00:09:41 Speaker 1: The question sent a jolt through Nehemiah's chest. It wasn't a dismissal. It wasn't a rebuke. It was interest. And more importantly, permission. Nehemiah responded and to his delight was met with a nod. 00:09:59 Speaker 2: Nehemiah bowed. 00:10:00 Speaker 1: In preparation to depart, but was hindered by a thought he couldn't ignore. Speaking was never his strong suit, but his mind wouldn't let him ignore the thought. 00:10:12 Speaker 5: If it pleases the king, might I have one more request? 00:10:17 Speaker 1: Artaxerxes raised his eyebrows. He waved an open hand towards the cupbearer, inviting him to speak further. Nehemiah swallowed as his eyes darted about the floor. 00:10:31 Speaker 5: I ask for letters to the governors beyond the river, that they may grant me safe passage until I arrive in Judah. And a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, to give me timber for the gates of the fortress of the temple. for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy. 00:10:51 Speaker 1: Nehemiah lifted his eyes slowly to meet the king. The king nodded with a smile, impressed by the servant's boldness. He respected Nehemiah's devotion to his people. 00:11:06 Speaker 2: Let it be done. All that you ask shall be provided. 00:11:12 Speaker 1: Nehemiah lowered his head in awe. Undoubtedly, The gracious hand of God was upon him. Evening's darkened glow blanketed the Persian landscape. Nehemiah stood at the edge of the palace gardens, gazing out across the orange horizon. The torches of Susa flickered behind him, but his eyes were already looking eastward. Footsteps approached behind him. 00:11:42 Speaker 2: You spoke with the king? 00:11:43 Speaker 1: Nehemiah nodded, unfazed. His eyes remained on the eastern skies. 00:11:50 Speaker 2: I leave for Jerusalem within the week. 00:11:53 Speaker 1: Han and I let out a quiet breath of disbelief. 00:11:57 Speaker 5: We're really going? After all these years? 00:12:01 Speaker 1: Nehemiah turned to his brother. His voice was steady, though the tear gliding down his cheek spoke of the immense weight of his emotions. 00:12:14 Speaker 2: Our people... are in disgrace, Anani. 00:12:18 Speaker 5: I can no longer be content with luxury while they suffer. 00:12:23 Speaker 2: The walls are broken. The gates are burned. But our God is faithful. 00:12:36 Speaker 1: He looked up at the stars, bright against the night sky. 00:12:41 Speaker 5: And I will not stand by while his name is forgotten. 00:12:46 Speaker 1: Far beyond the palace walls, in the land of his ancestors, the city of God awaited. Nehemiah closed his eyes and smiled. He was going home. Steve Gatina, Max Bard, Zach Schelleberger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan-Smith. written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.