Nehemiah 1:2
That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
Nehemiah was in a distant land, holding influence and honor as cupbearer and counselor in the Persian court. He was seated in its ornate chamber at a small table with his cup nearby and attendants behind him. Hanani, one of his brethren, came with certain men from Judah as messengers, plainly dressed in contrast to the rich surroundings. Nehemiah earnestly asked them about the Jews who had escaped and were left of the captivity, meaning those who had returned, and about Jerusalem, because his heart was turned toward the city and the people entrusted with the holy oracles, showing his deep concern for their welfare.
They brought an urgent report of peculiar trial and affliction. Though the second temple had been reared and portions of the city rebuilt, the place of his fathers' sepulchers lay waste with its buildings damaged, its walls still in ruins and its gates burned with fire, so the capital was fast becoming desolate. The ruin meant prosperity was impeded, the temple services were disturbed, and the people were kept in constant alarm. The few inhabitants remaining were daily embittered by the taunts of idolatrous assailants asking where their God was.
The captivity and affliction had come because the people's sins in turning from God separated them from Him, and He would not serve with their sins but permitted them to come under the control of heathen nations and be taken into captivity. The evil tidings overwhelmed Nehemiah with sorrow so that he leaned forward in distress, could not eat or drink, but wept and mourned for days and fasted before turning in affliction to prayer before the God of heaven to seek His favor for his people. While praying he formed the plan to ask the king for permission and help to go to Jerusalem. God did not work through those who refused to serve Him with singleness of purpose and had corrupted their ways before Him, but worked through Nehemiah because he honored God, was registered in heaven as a man, was true as steel to principle, put down false principles and restored heaven-born principles, and God therefore honored him.