1. With the help of our God (6:15-7:3)

With the help of God, the wall was completed without a gap in 52 days. When the enemies of God and of his people saw the completed wall, they lost their self-confidence. Nehemiah put a man of integrity who feared God in charge of opening and closing the gates. He appointed men to serve God in the temple and in the city. Spiritual order was restored to God's people.

2. The registration exposes the enemy (7:4-73a)

It became clear why Tobiah opposed God's work, and why he had not wanted God's people to have unity and spiritual order. He and his family were not Levites; he was not even an Israelite (7:62). He had exercised leadership and had power because of his wealth, but now men with spiritual and Biblical qualifications would be leaders, and he was excluded.

Application: Lord, give us courage to appoint as leaders people with spiritual qualifications--not just people with human ability, money or clever minds.
One Word: Have integrity and fear God