“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”
Nehemiah 6:15-16 ESV
Last time we looked in on Nehemiah’s prayer as he dealt with his anger at injustice first in the presence of Elohim. Today we see the results of all the time, work, attacks, distractions, and building: the wall was finished.
The gorgeous Hebrew word for finished is shalam – to make amends, restitution, full, give again. What a picture of completeness. It is the word from which shalom comes, meaning welfare, peace, well-being.
One of my favorite books, The Freedom of Simplicity, describes the concept of shalom exquisitely:
“…a harmonious, caring community with God at its center as the prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant…Central to the dream of shalom is the wonderful vision of all nations streaming to the mountain of the temple of God to be taught his ways and to walk in his paths; to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks…
We are in harmony with God – faithfulness and loyalty prevail.
We are in harmony with our neighbor – justice and mercy abound.
We are in harmony with nature – peace and unity reign.”
Nehemiah’s situation did not fully exemplify this shalom. Ours does not yet either, and we know it. But we get glimpses, don’t we? Delicious moments in which we see the Future Shalom in our decidedly- difficult here and now. The Spirit breathes and we experience moments of completeness today of which we will inhale for all eternity soon.
Since our main word is shalam, I think it important we stay with a crucial aspect of its definition: reparations. This rebuilding of the wall and remaking of the temple was not simply about the Jewish exiles experiencing completeness and peace. This was a do-over for Yahweh’s covenant people to live in light of His promises as His chosen ones before the eyes of the nations.
The image is that of everything coming full circle for God’s people. And we are invited into an even more perfectly completed one. One in which we could offer no reparations and could make no restitution. For He Himself is our peace.
But from that place of being reconciled to God through Jesus’ physical body, we have the opportunity to extend such a giving posture. To restore what is broken and make amends where needed.
And the result in Nehemiah’s situation will be similar in ours: all (kol) heard (shama – announce, listen with intent to obey), saw (raah – to see, behold, display) and the surrounding nations (sabib goy) fell (naphal – lie, abandon, dash down, topple) greatly (meod – much, abundance) in their own eyes (ayin – eye, confidence, sight).
Or: When all heard and beheld this display, their self-confidence was dashed greatly.
At first this may seem like a harsh result, but it’s important to remember falling in our own eyes is the invitation to become captivated by Another. One worthy of high esteem and all our confidence. To watch a group of exiles finish the wall in less than two months was nothing short of a miracle, and the watching world knew it. Realizing God is in charge must be preceded by the insight that we aren’t.
“…for they perceived (yada – know, discern, discover, know assuredly) this work (melakah – cattle, craftsmanship, business) was accomplished (asah – advance, appoint, bear, do, bring to pass) by (eth – against, along, beside, help, presence) Elohim.”
Or: they knew without a doubt this melakah was advanced in the help and presence of Elohim.
What a gift to fall in esteem in our own eyes even as we come to know without a doubt the Creator God is on the move and we get to be swept up in it. He will accomplish beautiful works in our day as well, friends.
That all may see and know the Most High is also our Good, Good Father.