“…The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been
burned with fire” Neh. 1:3
Yesterday South Africans were confronted with the shocking news that one of our most famous athletes, Oscar Pistorius, the blade runner, was arrested and will appear in Court this morning on a charge of murder. Of course he is and will remain innocent until proven guilty.
The trauma experienced by the families surrounding this tragedy is unimaginable.
What happened? Could it be that a human being so highly regarded by all and revered by some for his ability to overcome his physical handicaps, could be so totally unable to overcome his psychological disabilities/torments to the extent as to cause the death of the one person supposed to be the closest to him?
It would seem that the moral and ethical walls surrounding our society has deteriorated to such an extent that we have no moral or ethical standards at all. Or if we do have, they are in such a ruinous state, that they are stepped over and ignored without any effort or conscious thought whatsoever. Why do we no longer value life? In yesterday’s speech to the nation, Pres. Zuma stated that violent crimes such as the rape and very cruel murder of Annene Booysen a couple of days ago will no longer be tolerated. But: What can the Government, in fact, do to control or stop these heinous crimes? I believe it is impossible for the Government to do what is necessary without a very, very serious review of present court sentences and applicable laws.
Although I am not a supporter of the death penalty per se, it would seem that in our beautiful country, South Africa, it is the only known deterrent that will have any effect at all.
During recent strikes by workers, numerous buildings, and even vehicles were burnt down by them. The very structures that are necessary to help assure employment, development and growth, are the structures, including schools, that are vandalised. Illogical….. destructive. Definitively not a positive contribution.
Poverty, hunger and unemployment are often given as factors boosting the crime rate… actions such as the above will definitely not help any individual to combat these factors. Quite the opposite. We need to think and act in a positive pro-active manner.
What then is the answer? How do we go about rebuilding our society?
I believe Nehemia started the process the right way :
“Then I said: “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God,
who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his
commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the
prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your
servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, inclu-
ding myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We
have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the com-
mands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.” Nem. 1: 5
First, acknowledge God; who He is.
Pray for our people. From the President of the country to the humblest, homeless person on the street.
Confess our iniquities – those of the nation, our Government and ourselves and our families.
Get to know what God expects from us according to the Scriptures.
Teach our children these laws and standards, the greatest of which is LOVE ONE ANOTHER, from an early age.
“Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his
house, and Hartush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him.”
Neh. 3:10
“Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his
own house.” Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite
his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son ofShecaniah, the guard at the
East Gate, made repairs…. “ Neh. 3:28-29
And if we read the whole chapter we find that everyone made repairs to his own home, opposite his own home, and next to his own home.
We must each start with and in his own home. If necessary, we need to teach our parents and grandparents as well. The time is now, and we are the now generation. The responsibility rests on every individual alive to save our human race from self-destructing.
Rebuild the wall of our nation by living example in each and every home. Honesty, cleanliness, integrity, friendliness, compassion, helpfulness – these are the things that will build a nation who cares about life and the living.
This is a very difficult task and one that cannot be attained and completed without help from above. Nehemiah also realised this. He prayed :
“…but I prayed : ”Now strengthen my hands”. Neh. 6:10
Parents, fathers, mothers, are needed who live and teach children according to the Word of God, being living Word, so that our children will grow up having high moral and social standards and respecting themselves and other people. They cannot respect themselves if they are made to believe that they are nothing, have nothing, can be nothing; if we look and talk down at them. We must do our utmost for our children from the day that they are born. We must respect them as human beings and treat them accordingly. We must teach them to respect themselves, each other and all other living creatures. We must teach and expect from all adults to respect children and their rights. We need to do so with all our hearts.
“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people
worked with all their heart.” Neh. 4:6
“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were
afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realised that this
work had been done with the help of our God.” Neh. 6:15-16
work had been done with the help of our God.” Neh. 6:15-16
Thank You, Lord, that there is never a moment when it is totally too late. Thank You that we may start rebuilding our homes and walls right now; that we may start teaching others to do the same now. This is the moment! We are the instruments! You are our Helper! You will strengthen our hands and arms to fulfil this momentous task. Help us to make a firm decision and to commit to this task for life.
