The book of Nehemiah records the final events, chronologically speaking, of the OT. The walls of Jerusalem have lain in ruins for almost a century and a half (586–444 B.C.). The failure of the Jews to rebuild the city of Jerusalem became a source of great distress and reproach to the returned remnant. The situation caused great distress because the Jews who had returned to the city were vulnerable to attack from their enemies. The situation caused great reproach because it showed