As he sat confidently at the piano, he froze in horror. The piano was a Yamaha. As we begin our new program year I want to introduce you first of all to one fantastic person who, with trouble, threats, trials and change surrounding him, stakes out his moral ground and holds it. The Persians allow the Jews to return from exile to their homeland. Even as they build the temple, however, they look around and see the rest of the city in shambles.
Jagged holes breach the walls.
The gates lie in ashes. The sight of that scorched and ravaged city drives the returning exiles to near despair. Nehemiah, in distant Persia, shocked by the news of the desolation, begs and receives permission from his sire to return to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the piteous ruin. And, wonder of wonders, Nehemiah succeeds. But too well.