It was a cold morning when Nehemiah’s brother arrived for an extended visit. The joy of the two brothers was contagious. People all around them were smiling more as they caught the brothers telling stories and laughing deep bodily laughs. As the two walked through the city they discussed the purpose of buildings and took note of the miliary might of the Persians. They marveled over the troops as they trained for some future war against a foe that the brothers could only imagine. In one part of the city, they looked at a wide array of beasts from around the world. They had no names for the creatures that they looked at. Large monsters with horns and tusks. One was referred to as an elephant and appeared to be majestic.
The Persian cavalry raced through an obstacle course firing arrows into targets at high speed. Behind them infantry marched through mud, over walls and slammed as a unit into large barriers and pushed against them until the seemingly immovable mountain moved. “It seems obvious how this army was able to destroy our army in Jerusalem, spoke Hanani. Nehemiah stroked his beard thoughtfully and responded, “Actually if our people had stayed faithful to the God of our Fathers, they could have defeated this army. In fact, it is even possible that they could have defeated an even more powerfully, better trained army if they had simply forsaken the idols. Do you remember the women making cakes and offering them up to the goddess?” Hanani nodded quietly. Nehemiah continued, “Worst yet their husbands were aware and said nothing. Others went to the mountains and worshiped Baal. Our nation that was founded with the power of God setting us free from Egypt had rejected the King of Glory. Soloman had built the temple and sang the songs of his father, David, at the gates of the city. Many worshiped with all their heart in the days of David and Soloman. Yet, Soloman was among the first to lead our fathers astray. They preferred the gods they could see and control over the Majestic and very real God that wanted the best for them. God had sent them prophets and they failed to listen to them. Oh my brother, our city and nation was destroyed because they chose other gods.” Hanani tried to hold back tears. “I came from Jerusalem and have seen the city.” “Do not speak of that right now. We will discuss it in my quarters this evening after the evening meal and the servants have been dismissed. Here are too many spies that might call us traitors if we are overheard.” The rest of the day was pleasant, they walked through gardens, tasted fruits and vegetables, and discussed lighter matters.
That evening with a light fire in the hearth Hanani shared with Nehemiah about the state of Zion, the City of David. “Everything looks like the battle was just yesterday. Piles of rubble are everywhere. There are no gates, there are hardly any places where more than one stone is on top of another. Large chunks of burned wood are all over the place and there is a stench that burns the nostrils. But that is not the worst part. Yes, the city’s destruction is devastating to my heart. Do you remember going to the Passover with father and mother and all of our cousins in Jerusalem just a few years before the Persians arrived? The city was beautiful. But more than that the people were filled with hope. Today there is no hope. The foreigners that are ruling in the area keep the people emotionally beat down. We are looked at as mere bugs permitted to exist but knowing that we could be squashed at any time. Oh, my brother to hear the weeping of the people as they watch their children starve.” The two brothers sat in silence, weeping as they stared at the hot fire. They would not look at each other respecting each other’s grief. Each was lost in their own memories.
