Nehemiah 1:1-2

Using Lectio Divina when working through Nehemiah

“I asked them about the Jews who had returned there and how things were going in Jerusalem” 1:1-2

Nehemiah cared about his homeland. He cares because it was important to him and his heritage. It was the home of his family and his extended family. And he cared because he likely knew some of those who had gone back from captivity, and it appears at least some of his family members had returned as well. So his concern was not just with the motherland, but with the people as well. They were his people. He identified with them and loved them.

We ask about and are concerned about people we love and know. That concern extends also to people with whom we identify. Who do we identify with? Identification requires relationship. So we start with this question: “Who am I in relationship with?” This will help you begin to understand who your people are.

Who do I really care about?

Who do I love?

Personally, I’ve lived in so many places I’m not sure I have a home anymore. I’m more of a sojourner. But home is the place we are. It’s the place we care about, try to build up, try to empower, and try to make into a better place. Without “home,” we are merely an island.

Too many have relegated home to a structure we live in, not a place we are from. But home is much bigger than that. It is the city, the community, the state and country we live in. It is also the city, community, state and country we are from, and where are roots can be found. It’s the place that can give us our identity.

So what are we doing to make “home” better? How are we strengthening it? How I am showing that I care about home?

Nehemiah cared desperately about his homeland, his people, and he worried over it. The question is, what will he do about it?