Av 11 – A Message on the Wall?

Av 11, 5785; from sunset August 4, 2025, to sunset August 5, 2025

(The eleventh day of the fifth month)

This is an image of a portion of the wall rebuilt by Nehemiah and company.

Today in the Bible, we’ve been remembering the dark days in Israel – the punishment of the disobedience of the people after the spies returned with their report – the destruction of both the First and Second Temples – as well as, God’s forewarning from Ezekiel. Each time, there is hope found in our repentance and God’s promise of restoration is right there waiting for us. Now, let’s summarize the first group of those who worked to repair the walls and gates of the Holy City and consider how, in the story of Nehemiah, God may be sending us a message of encouragement.

Even before Solomon’s Temple was destroyed, Nebuchadnezzar took some of the gold and silver vessels from the Temple and some of Israel’s nobility back to Babylon with him. Among them was Daniel. After Nebuchadnezzar died, the book of Daniel tells us that Belshazzar became king. Daniel chapter 5 relates the story of a great banquet given by the king. He was drinking wine and ordered that the gold and silver vessels taken from Solomon’s Temple be brought in so that everyone could drink out of them. This was done as the king requested. Shortly thereafter, the king saw the fingers of a man’s hand write three words on the palace wall. The short version goes like this…no one could read the message but Daniel. He told the king what it said, basically, “Your time’s up buddy,” and the king was killed later that night by the Medes. The writing was on the wall.

What does this have to do with Nehemiah? Well nothing, really, other than it’s related to a message from God that was written on a wall. We’re really just getting started with our deep dive into the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall and we’ve already uncovered some incredible things. One of them may just be a message from God Himself. Below is a summary of the meanings of the names of the men rebuilding the wall in Nehemiah 3:1-5.

My God Restores, Returns [Eliashib]

Remember [Zaccur] My Utterance, My Word, My Promise [Imri] to the sons of the Afflicted One [Hasennaah] (Jerusalem?)

The Bitter Death [Meremoth] of the Light of the LORD [Urijah], the Loathed One [Hakkoz] (thorn), the Peacemaker [Meshullam], Blessed One of the LORD [Berechiah]

God Delivers [Meshezabel] the Righteous [Zadok] Son of Affliction [Baana]

(& we finish up with a) Trumpet Blast [Tekoites] (the crowning of a king?? – a calling to attention??)

Like a talented-graffiti artist, God decorated the walls of His City with an image of His Son – the One who truly restored righteousness. His medium? Not side-walk chalk, not paints and brushes, and not spray cans; but the meaning of the names of the men and women who have repented of their evil ways and have returned to the obedience of the word of the LORD. The ones who have invested the work of their hands to restore holiness unto themselves and their city. Our Father Remembered His Promise to make a Restored relationship with Him possible, through His Son – the Light of God. A Peacemaker. Righteous. Blessed of the LORD. Loathed. Afflicted. Crowned with Thorns. Given over to Bitter Death. And Delivered by God.

As with any work of art, its interpretation is up to the individual. What do you think His message may be?

To read all of our posts on Nehemiah, click on the image above.