Nehemiah 2:20

“Then answered I them, and said unto them, etc.] With much spirit and boldness, not at all intimidated by their scoffs or threats: the God of heaven, he will prosper us; whom we serve, and under whose protection we are, who will supply us with everything we want, and succeed this undertaking, in whose name we engage in it, and on whom we depend, and we care not what man can do to us: therefore we his servants will arise and build; in spite of all opposition, difficulties, and discouragements: but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem; no part of the city belonged to them; they had no jurisdiction there; they had no name there, nor their ancestors, in times past; nor had…”

“No portion - You have no authority over us, nor interest in our church and state, but are aliens from the common - wealth of Israel. Memorial - No testimony, or monument, either of your relation to us by birth or religion, or of your kindness to us, or to this place. Next: Nehemiah Chapter 3”

“2:20 The title God of heaven communicated to Persian audiences that Israel’s true God was not a minor local deity. Nehemiah remained focused on obeying his sovereign by building the walls.”

“The God: Neh 2:4; Ch2 26:5; Psa 20:5, Psa 35:27, Psa 102:13, Psa 102:14, Psa 122:6; Ecc 7:18 ye have no: Ezr 4:3; Act 8:21 memorial: Exo 28:29; Lev 2:2, Lev 24:7; Num 10:10; Isa 56:5; Zac 6:14; Act 10:4, Act 10:31; When Nehemiah had prayed for the relief of his countrymen, and perhaps in David's words, Psa 51:18, he did not sit still and say, "Let God now do his own work, for I have no more to do;" but set himself to do what he could towards it; and here we find that the people were of one heart with Nehemiah. Our prayers must be seconded with our serious endeavours, or else we mock God. Nearly four months had passed, namely, from Chisleu to Nisan (November to March), before Nehemiah made…”