The Minion (Nehemiah Chapter 1)

So what the heck was going on?
It seems the other men had gone
To check things out, “What was the state
Of things back there at any rate?”

It seems the minion (of ten men –
The minimum to pray again
In Jewish circles, like today)
Delighting in the Lord that way –

Read in the Scripture of the way
The Lord had picked a place to stay –
Jerusalem his chosen place –
That’s what they read in any case.

Hanani, Nehemiah’s bro,
And others made their plans to go
Check out the place – what was its state –
The shape of Temple, walls, and gate?

So, if today, we’d say, “There was
This little prayer-group, who, because
It said in Scripture, “I will dwell
In Zion, ’cause I think it’s swell” –

Thought best to check the state of things –
This little group who prays and sings,
Took on themselves to make that trip –
The world was changed because of it.

Hanani (Nehemiah’s bro),
Returned, reported, said, “Although
Indeed survivors went back there,
Their kids and grandkids feel despair.

“The place, compared to where we live,
A shambles is – a nasty biz –
Most folks don’t live within the town,
Too vulnerable – the wall is down.

“The Temple’s there, where God abides,
But He’s alone – few folks reside
Within the city – what a mess –
It’s good we went there, nonetheless.”

Then Nehemiah went to prayer;
Poured out his heart; shed tears of care
For having let disgrace abide,
Where God had chosen to reside.

As days and nights slipped by that way,
The minion gathered ’round to pray;
And from ten praying men arose
A plan – approach the king – propose –

That Nehemiah be released
To work until neglect had ceased
In Zion – city of their God –
But talking to the King was odd –

For he was just a servant-man,
The bearer of the cup who can
Go in and out before the King,
But this request was huge to bring.

They prayed again, this prayer-group,
That he’d not find himself in soup
For daring to request a leave
That travesty might be relieved.

So when I look at chapter one,
This minion – look how much was done
By ten young men who read the text,
Then asked of God, “What move is next?”

God said, “Find out the state of things;
Hanani send; hear news he brings;
Then pray again – we’ll work it out –
It’s best to find what it’s about.”

I also ask in words the same,
Where You have chosen for Your Name
To dwell today, here in our time –
What shape it’s in – is all quite fine?

It’s not a building – that was smashed;
Ah yes! Your body – yes, at last,
That temple in its city wall
Has been transformed – it’s there for all.

Three days in grave and then raised up –
Your house of prayer with rooms enough
For all the nations of the world,
Now mixed, and blended, tossed, and swirled.

And does a minion of ten men
Ask of its state today – again
Send out a little band to check?
Are there still folks who tarry yet –

In prayer, like Nehemiah’s friends,
Whose hearts rejoice when praise ascends
To you, O Lord – “Revered your name –
Come dwell within our hearts again.”

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