anctuary, delivered him from the plot. The cry that
he was himself aspiring to the kingship and that his acts were treason
against Persia did not daunt him, and when, in response to their malicious
reports, the order finally came from the Persian king to cease working,
the walls were already rebuilt.

Apparently Nehemiah's original leave of absence was for but a short
period. His kinsman Hanani, who had headed the original deputation to
Susa, and a certain Hananiah were by him placed in charge of the city. To
protect it against sudden attack its gates were closed at night and not
opened until the middle of the following forenoon. Effective measures
were also instituted to increase its population. When the work of
rebuilding the walls was complete, Nehemiah arranged for their public
dedication. Starting from the Valley Gate on the southwestern side of the
city, one half of the nobles and the people marched along the southern
and eastern wall, while Nehemiah with the other half of the people
proceeded along the western and northern wall. Finally meeting on the
northern side of the temple area, the two companies blended their voices
in thanksgiving to Jehovah who at last had made it possible for them to
worship him in his sanctuary secure from attack.

Nehemiah had reorganized the Judean community, rebuilt their walls, and
inspired them with a new sense of self-respect; thus he made possible
that genuine revival of the Judean state that took place during the
succeeding centuries. He, like Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and the II
Isaiah, was indeed one of the makers of Judaism. Ben Sira with true
insight declared (49:13):

The memorial of Nehemiah is great,
Who raised up for us the walls that were fallen,
And set up the gates and bars,
And raised up our homes again.

Section CI. NEHEMIAH'S SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS REFORMS

[Sidenote: Isa. 56:1, 2]
Thus saith Jehovah,
Guard justice and practice righteousness.
For my deliverance is near at hand, and my righteousness is soon to be
revealed.
Happy the man who practices, the mortal who holds fast to it,
Keeping the sabbath so as not to profane it, and keeping his hand from
evil.

[Sidenote: Isa. 56:3-5]
Let not the foreigner who hath joined himself to Jehovah say,
'Jehovah will surely separate me from his people.'
And let not the eunuch say, 'Behold I am a dry tree.'
For thus saith Jehovah to the eunuchs, 'Those who keep my sabbaths,
And choose that in which I deli