Nehemiah presented before the people their reproach among the heathen--their religion dishonored, their God blasphemed. He told them that in a distant land he had heard of their affliction, that he had entreated the favor of Heaven in their behalf, and that, as he was praying, he had determined to ask permission from the king to come to their assistance. He had asked God that the king might not only grant this permission, but might also invest him with the authority and give him the help needed for the 638 work; and his prayer had been answered in such a way as to show that the plan was of the Lord.

Nehemias henviste til, at de var blevet til spot for hedningerne. Deres religion var blevet vanæret og deres Gud bespottet. Han fortalte dem, at han havde hørt om deres nød, mens han var i et fremmed land, at han havde bedt Himmelen hjælpe dem, og at han under bønnen havde truffet den beslutning, at han ville bede kongen give sit samtykke til, at han rejste til Jerusalem for at hjælpe dem. Han havde bedt Gud om, at kongen ikke blot ville give ham den ønskede tilladelse, men også give ham de beføjelser og den hjælp, som var nødvendig for arbejdets gennemførelse. Bønnen var blevet besvaret på en sådan måde, at man ikke kunne tage fejl af, at det var Herrens vilje.