A Time to Build: The Cupbearer's Strategy

In a world characterized by violence and conflict in many regions, there is brokenness that occurs at the personal, family, community, and societal levels in virtually all countries of the world as we push into the second decade of the twenty-first century. Everywhere there is the need for the reconstruction of lives, families, communities, and whole countries and regions. This need manifests most strongly in Africa, which has had more than its fair share of disruption and brokenness. models the reconstruction strategy of Nehemiah, a Jewish exile and cup-bearer to the Persian Emperor Artaxerxes who was appointed Governor of Judea by the emperor in the 5th century BC to reconstruct the broken walls of Jerusalem. His strategy is fresh and relevant to individuals, families, communities and nations needing reconstruction today.