010. God’s People Rebuild Jerusalem after Painful Exile

God’s People Rebuild Jerusalem after Painful Exile
About 8 minutes, from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah

Participants (No need to memorize lines; the aim is to relive sacred events,
not to perform)
Â Â Nehemiah
Â Â Hanani
Â Â Sanballat
Â Â PrompterÂ Â Â Â Shout a brief line, and Echoes repeat it.
Â Â EchoesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Children and adults who want to take part. Echoes need no script.

Hanani	Nehemiah, I am Hanani. I’ve come to Babylon with good news and bad from IsraelEzra the priest arrived safely in Jerusalem. He brought back the priceless gold and silver items that the Chaldeans had looted from Solomon’s Temple 70 years ago.
Nehemiah	It was a miracle that Ezra made it to Jerusalem safely. He was ashamed to request troops for protection; he had told King Cyrus that God would protect them.
Hanani	King Cyrus gave up a vast treasure, Nehemiah.
Prompter & Echoes	That was also miracle!
Hanani	The Jewish people cheered to see God’s temple rebuilt, but the old folk who recalled the first temple wept, as the new temple does not compare with the first one’s splendor.
Prompter & Echoes	And the bad news?
Hanani	Jerusalem’s walls remain broken down, and the Jews who escaped captivity are in great distress; they lack protection, and their enemies are powerful.
Prompter & Echoes	How sad!
Hanani	Stop weeping, Nehemiah. You can do something about it. You are the Persian king’s cupbearer; ask him to help us.
Nehemiah	First, let me pray to the Holy One. O Lord God of heaven, I plead on behalf of the sons of Israel. We have sinned greatly. We beg for your mercy! We have acted corruptly and broken your laws.
Prompter & Echoes	Repentant confession!
Nehemiah	Almighty God, you warned us that if your people became unfaithful you would scatter us among the gentiles. You also told us that if we returned to you and kept your commands you would restore us to where your name dwells.
Prompter & Echoes	Amen!
Hanani	Nehemiah, Have you asked King Artaxerxes to help us?
Nehemiah	Yes, Hanani. He asked why I came before him looking so sad; I was very afraid and asked, â€œHow can I not be sad when the city of my fathers' tombs lies desolate, and its gates have been consumed by fire?â€
Prompter & Echoes	Devastation!
Nehemiah	The king then asked what my request was. I prayed quickly to the God of heaven.
Hanani	Now, months later, God has answered your prayer, Nehemiah. The king let you return to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem. Here we are!
Nehemiah	Look Hanani! Jerusalem’s walls are flattened! Let us rebuild them at once.
Hanani	Yes, but Sanballat and Tobiah will oppose us; they are powerful men.
Nehemiah	So, I’ll go at night on my mule around the city of Jerusalem, to survey exactly what needs to be done.
Sanballat	I am Sanballat. That fool Nehemiah plans to rebuild the city. We will stop him, Tobiah! Spread a rumor that he is stirring rebellion against King Cyrus.
Prompter & Echoes	Treachery!
Nehemiah	Men of Israel, Jerusalem is desolate. Each clan will rebuild a segment of the wall near where they live. I will assign tasks according to your skills.
Sanballat	Tobiah, we must halt the Jews’ work! Leaders of Samaria, listen. These feeble Jews hope to restore the city and live in it. We will attack them.
Prompter & Echoes	Look out!
Hanani	Nehemiah, the wall is halfway up; the people have a mind to work, but Sanballat has stirred up our enemies; they plan to attack us.
Nehemiah	We will pray to our God, Hanani, and set up guards day and night. Men, fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, and your wives.
Hanani	Look, Nehemiah. The men carry burdens in one hand and a weapon in the other. Sanballat sent word that they’re coming to kill us and that we had better hide in the temple with the doors locked.
Nehemiah	That’s what Sanballat wants us to do, Hanani, cage ourselves up! God will fight for us if we obey His commands. Have Ezra the priest read and explain God’s Law to the entire assembly, men, women, and children who can understand.
Prompter & Echoes	Amen!
Hanani	An exchange of letters proves that we do not rebel against the king. Look now, Nehemiah. The people all stand while Ezra reads the Book of the Law. He blesses them, and they bow to the ground before God.
Nehemiah	Listen, all of you. This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not weep. God has forgiven us. Let there be rejoicing! We will celebrate with a feast for seven days, and Ezra will read from God’s Law each day.
Hanani	God is protecting us, Nehemiah! Our enemies fear to attack.
Sanballat	Those cursed Jews! They’ve built their defenses. They have defeated me!
Nehemiah	Let us now dedicate the finished wall of Jerusalem. Bring everyone from all the towns to celebrate with thanksgiving, gladness and songs accompanied by cymbals, harps and stringed instruments.
Hanani	Nehemiah, for the first time in our history, we have all finally turned away totally and forever from idols. That is because God punished our idolatry by letting cruel idolaters hold us captive for70 years. Now God lets us dwell peacefully in our own cities.
Prompter & Echoes	Hallelujah!