Hadrian’s Wall

“And they said to me, ‘The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire’.” [Nehemiah 1:3]

Around A.D. 122 Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a wall in northern Britain, then part of the Roman Empire, to keep out the unconquered Caledonians of Scotland. Built out of stone and turf and measuring about 117 kilometers (73 miles) in length, the wall linked a series of forts and watchtowers. The Romans rebuilt Hadrian’s Wall several times throughout the 200s and 300s and used it as a fortification until about 400. The wall extended from Solway Firth to the mouth of the Tyne River and was about 6 meters (20 feet) high and about 2.4 meters (8 feet) wide. A military road ran along the south side of the wall, and a series of heavily garrisoned forts and sentry posts were built along its length. The wall also marked the frontier of Roman civil jurisdiction.

A few parts of Hadrian’s Wall remain standing in present-day Great Britain, especially in the mid-section. You can actually follow a path or ride your bicycle along the wall. It is the most popular attraction for tourists in Northern England. One government organization that manages historic sites in England calls Hadrian’s Wall “the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain.” On March 13, 2010, the route of the wall was lit by 500 gas beacons, flares, and torches at 250-meter intervals. Over 1,000 volunteers helped with the celebration of the 1,600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule in Britain.

The Bible tells us about another famous wall that was built to keep enemies out. When Babylon sacked Jerusalem, the army broke down the walls and burned the gates of the city. Years later Nehemiah hears a report of the condition of Jerusalem that not only makes him sad, but motivates him to do something about it. He was a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes and, after much prayer, an opportunity opens for Nehemiah to ask for help in restoring the walls of this beloved city. By God’s grace the reconstruction was completed in only 52 days!

The Lord wants to protect you from the devil. Like a broken-down wall, our hearts need repair. God wants to build up your life so that you are resistant to enemy attacks by Satan. Just as Hadrian’s Wall stretched from coast to coast, the Lord wants to completely protect you with His care.