The book opens with Nehemiah living and working in a foreign land. Artaxerxes is on the throne in Persia and Nehemiah, the Jew is there in exile working as a top civil servant. Life for him could have been really comfortable, well paid, keep your nose clean and a successful future awaits. However Nehemiah hears news that shakes him to the core, news of the physical and spiritual state of Jerusalem that requires Nehemiah to risk all in response to God’s call.