Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 13

Nehemiah 13



-In this final chapter we see the reality of an ongoing struggle to keep people’s hearts right and in tune with the righteous laws of God within the land of Judah, even Jerusalem, as time went on. The chapter begins with the audible reading of the book of Moses in the hearing of the people. It was discerned from that reading that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God (Deuteronomy 23:3-5). The reason for this was historical. They did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water when they sojourned through their territories during the wilderness wanderings, but instead hired Balaam to curse against the people of God. However, God, in all His power and glory, turned the curse into a blessing. Therefore, after hearing this the Jews excluded all foreigners from Israel for a time (Nehemiah 13:1-3).

-It appears there is some passage of time in the text from this point as Nehemiah shares with the reader that he had returned to King Artaxerxes in the 32^nd year of his reign. During all this time that he was away from Jerusalem, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the Temple, the House of God, prepared a large room for Tobiah because they were related by marriages. This large room was supposed to be where the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils, the tithes of grain, the wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the contribution for the priests were to be kept. When Nehemiah asked the king for leave and a return to Jerusalem, it was granted, but what Nehemiah found upon his return troubled him greatly. What Elashib had done for Tobiah was evil in preparing this room for him, a Gentile, in the courts of the House of God. It went against everything the Law prescribed and what the Israelites had committed to in the wall building/revival years prior. This is why Nehemiah described the situation as being “very displeasing” to him. Then he took action. He threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room and gave an order to cleanse the rooms. After that, he returned the utensils of the House of God with the grain offerings and the frankincense. This reminds me of Jesus’ righteous retribution when He turned over the tables of the sellers and exchangers in the same Temple area who were polluting His House of prayer (Nehemiah 13:4-9, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46).   

-Further reform was needed as Nehemiah discovered upon his return that the portions legally due the Levites had not been given to them. This had led to the departure of these Levites and singers who performed service in God’s House. They had each gone back to their own fields to make a living. As a result, Nehemiah reprimanded the officials saying, “Why is the House of God forsaken?” Then, he again took righteous action to correct the situation by gathering them back and restoring them to their posts. This led to all Judah bringing their tithe of the grain, wine and, oil back into the storehouses. Nehemiah appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, Pedaiah of the Levites, and Hanan to be in charge of these storehouses now because “they were considered reliable.” It was their task at this point to distribute the proper allotments to their kinsmen. Nehemiah is shown next in the text as asking God to remember him for these loyal deeds which he performed for the House of God and its services (Nehemiah 13:10-14).

-Another problem confronted the great restorer of Judah and Jerusalem as he observed what was going on with the corruption of the Sabbath in the land. He saw some in Judah treading the wine presses on the Sabbath and bringing in sacks of grain and loading them on donkeys to bring into Jerusalem for profit. Not just wine, but grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads were being brought in on the LORD’s anointed day. Nehemiah admonished them, and he also saw men from Tyre living there in Judah who imported fish and all kinds of merchandise. These foreigners were selling to the sons of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem. This led Nehemiah to more admonitions of the Jewish nobles of Judah, “What is this evil thing you are doing, by profaning the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers do the same, so that our God brought on us and on this city all this trouble? Yet you are adding to the wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.” Then, again, Nehemiah took specific actions to remedy this sin. As it grew dark every Friday, he commanded that the doors at the gates of Jerusalem be shut until the Sabbath was over. He stationed some of his servants at these gates so that no loads would enter on the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15). Once or twice the traders and merchants of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside of Jerusalem, but Nehemiah warned them that if they continued to do that he would use force against them. “From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath.” Further, Nehemiah commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gatekeepers to sanctify this holy day. In the end of this action, Nehemiah once more asked his LORD to remember him and have compassion on him according the greatness of His lovingkindness (Nehemiah 13:15-22).

-In those days, Nehemiah also saw that the Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, which was against God’s commands as His separated people (Exodus 34:11-16, Deuteronomy 7:1-5). The children of these marriages were speaking the foreign languages of the pagans, so Nehemiah once more took decisive action to purge the lawlessness. He contended with them and cursed them. He struck some of them and even pulled out their hair. Pretty tough work, right? Then he made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to these foreign sons or have their sons take any of the foreign women in marriage. He cited King Solomon’s error in this debauchery regarding these things, which caused him to sin even though God loved him and made him king over all Israel as no king like him. This, as Nehemiah rightfully pointed out, was a great evil because of their unfaithful actions against their covenant God. Even one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore, Nehemiah boldly drove him away from his presence. He prayed an imprecatory prayer of vindication as he asked God to “remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.” In the end, Nehemiah purified them from everything foreign and appointed duties that the priests and the Levites should lawfully do, each in his task. He arranged for the supply of wood at the appointed times and for the first fruits. Then he asked his God one final time to remember him for good (Nehemiah 13:23-31).

*Application* We generally call a man like Nehemiah “the heavy.” He was the one who became the enforcer of God’s Law in the land as they returned from captivity. Anyone who has had this type of task as an overseer knows that it is tough to take a strong stand and carry out discipline. It is necessary though. People are evil in their hearts and constantly need correction. Just ask our law enforcement officers how difficult the job is today, and we will see. What we see with God’s holy, perfect, and righteous Law is a restraining of evil, but remember only He, through His life giving Son, can impute righteousness on the believers. That’s why we always should aim at the heart when we correct people. This has more lasting results, always. It must be intrinsic, not extrinsic (Galatians 6:1-10).

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 13:11-12, 14

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 12

Nehemiah 12



-The priests and Levites who came up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua were listed including Ezra and other important men in the first 21 verses. The chief Levites are then given honor as being registered (Nehemiah 12:22-26). The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem is then discussed. They sought out Levites from all their places in the surrounding region, and they were brought to Jerusalem for the mega-celebration that was about to take place. This dedication to the LORD their God was received with great gladness, hymns of thanksgiving, and songs accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. The Levites purified themselves and all the people along with the gates and the wall in preparation for this monumental event in their national history (Nehemiah 12:27-30).

-At this point Nehemiah had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall and two great choirs were appointed. The first choir proceeded to the right on top of the wall toward the Refuse Gate. Half the leaders, including a man named Hoshaiah, followed this first choir. Some of the sons of the priests went with trumpets and some of the instruments of David, “the man of God.” Ezra the scribe went before them. At the Fountain Gate they went directly up the steps of the city of David by the stairway of the wall, which was above the house of David, and then they proceeded to the Water Gate on the east. The second choir proceeded to the left, with Nehemiah following them, and half the people were on the wall above the Tower of Furnaces all the way to the Broad Wall and above the Gate of Ephraim, by the Old Gate, by the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred, the Sheep Gate, and the Gate of the Guard. “Then the two choirs took their stand in the House of God,” so did Nehemiah and half the officials with him. A listing of priests sang with Jezrahiah, their leader. “And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.” On that day men were appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits, and the tithes to gather into this holy place from the fields of the cities according to the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites; “for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served.” These men performed the worship of their God and the service of purification along with the singers and the gatekeepers in accordance with the command of David and his son, Solomon. In the days of King David and the worship leader, Asaph, which were ancient times some 500 or so years prior, there were leaders of the singers who sang songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God. “So all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah gave the portions due the singers and the gatekeepers as each day required, and set apart the consecrated portion for the Levites, and the Levites set apart the consecrated portion for the sons of Aaron (Nehemiah 12:31-47).”

*Application* This was an awesome time of praise and worship as we can imagine. Times of rejoicing lead to great generosity and sharing of the blessings God has provided. A giving heart is seen all throughout these verses as people come together to declare the mighty worth of God and live in His glory. We can practice this as well in our homes, churches, and communities. Sing with all our heart, rejoice with the joy of the LORD, and give abundantly. Let the world know we have a Savior!

Verse to Memorize: Nehemiah 12:43

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 11

Nehemiah 11



-As time was beginning to pass now with the walls completed and a renewal of the covenant with their God, living arrangements became an important concern now in the holy city. The leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, making it once again the capital area of importance, but lots had to be cast to bring one out of every ten to come live in this sparsely populated walled city. All the people blessed those who volunteered to live in Jerusalem away from their inheritance. The heads of provinces who lived in Jerusalem are listed with a type of census counting them in number. Among these were the Israelites (sons of Judah and Benjamin), the priests, the Levites, the Temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants (Nehemiah 11:1-36).

*Application* Moving into the city from their inheritance would have been a monumental sacrifice of reestablishing their homes and businesses, which would have meant a major investment of time and money. No wonder all the people blessed those who would take this on voluntarily. Living in the holy city would have also confronted people constantly with a holy God and His Word in that place. This was probably intimidating for some because of the accountability factor. The tendency for us humans is the proverbial “out of sight, out of mind.” Now that we are the Temple of God by His indwelling Spirit in the believer (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20), what sort of volunteering are we doing? In other words, are we “going in” to live in His presence, which is readily available? The saved who volunteer to abide in Him will produce much fruit and receive more of His blessings (John 15:5-11, Revelation 22:12).

Verse to Memorize: Nehemiah 11:2

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 10

Nehemiah 10



-Verses 1-27 list out the names of men who were on the sealed document of agreement with the LORD on their nation’s sinful condition and commitment to restore proper relationship with their faithful, covenant-keeping God. There were priests, Levites, and leaders who put their names to this obligation before the LORD. The rest of the people including the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the pagans of other nations to follow the Law of God with their wives, sons, and daughters (all who had understanding and knowledge) joined in with their kinsmen and nobles to take on this potential curse and oath to walk in obedience to God’s Law. The Law, given to Moses, God’s servant, was to be kept and observed in its entirety with all its ordinances and statutes. They committed to the purity of marriages within their covenant society so as to not give their daughters to foreigners or take foreign daughters for their sons. They committed not to buy or sell on God’s holy Sabbath day, and they resolved to forego the crops in the seventh year with the exaction of every debt according to Mosaic Law. They also placed themselves under responsibility to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the House of God, the Temple. This would benefit things of need in the ministry of God’s House like the showbread, the continual grain offering, the continual burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moon, the appointed times on the calendar, the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel. All the work of the House of God was to be taken care, which they had neglected for so long. Further, they devoted to cast lots for the supply of wood among the priests, the Levites, and the people so that they could carry out God’s required sacrifices by fathers’ households at the fixed times of the year as it was written in the Law. They would also ensure the bringing of first fruits before the LORD from every tree. In addition, the firstborn of their sons and livestock would be brought before the LORD according to His commands, so that the priests could carry out their proper functions upon them. Contributions were stressed on the tithe, even in the rural areas, so that His storehouse would be full to overflow. This would benefit all who were ministering before the LORD. The final statement says it all, “Thus we will not neglect the House of our God (Nehemiah 10:28-39).”

*Application* We can always tell when people really get serious about the things of God. His priorities become our priorities, and the other things don’t really seem to matter much. God’s commanded sacrifice for us in this dispensation (or age) is our total being (Romans 12:1-2). This requires a transformation, which only God can give. Marks of this transformation are a renewed mind thinking like Christ, a conformity to the Kingdom of God rather than this world, and a following of God’s good and acceptable and perfect will for our lives. The standard of excellence has actually heightened in comparison to these Old Testament requirements, if we care to admit it, with the work of Christ on the cross and His Spirit’s indwelling of the believer. Let’s give our lives completely over to God.

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 10:29, 39

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 9

Nehemiah 9



-On the 24^th day in the seventh month of Elul, the sons of Israel assembled with fasting in sackcloth with dirt upon them. They separated themselves from all foreigners and stood to confess their, and their ancestors’, sins and iniquities before the LORD their God. While they continued to stand in their place, they read from the book of the Law of the LORD for a forth of the day. For another fourth of the day they confessed and worshipped God. On the platform of the Levites were heard crying with loud voices by many of these religious leaders. Then they commanded the people to, “Arise, bless the LORD your God forever, and ever!” A lengthy prayer ensued glorifying the LORD for His uniqueness, power, and holy Name. His creative abilities were extolled, and His choosing of Abram was given thanks. The prayer acknowledged that it was Abram’s faithful heart before his God that ensured the covenant between the LORD and this people. As a result, all of the Promised Land was given to the Hebrews as a perpetual inheritance due to a righteous Father who fulfills all His good promises. He was the One who saw His people’s affliction in Egypt and heard their cry by the Red Sea. He was the One who performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his servants, and all the pagan Egyptians of the land. God knew their arrogance towards the commands He had given, and He made a Name for Himself as a result. He divided the sea before His people as a means of escape to pass through on dry ground, and the pursuers He hurled into the depths (Exodus 14:1-15:1). Their God had led them through the dessert with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night “to light for them the way in which they were to go.” The LORD had come down to earth on Mt. Sinai and spoke from Heaven with His servant Moses to give His people His “just ordinances and true laws,” His “good statutes and commandments.” God made known to them His holy Sabbath and gave them every commandment, statute, and law they would need to achieve a successful society as His representative on earth. Their LORD had provided for them in the wilderness with bread from Heaven (manna) and brought water from a rock to quench their thirst miraculously. He had given them permission to enter into the Promised Land to possess it as a fulfillment of promise. But, as the prayer continues, the ancestors acted arrogantly themselves, much like the Egyptians, and became stubborn, not listening to the commandments of God. They refused to listen and did not remember His wondrous deeds which He had performed. So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return them to their slavery in Egypt, but God was forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. He did not forsake them in their waywardness against Him. Even though they made a molten calf of metal to worship and committed great blasphemies against the LORD, God had shown His restraint and did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud and fire did not leave them, and continued to show them the direction they needed to take. Even God’s good Spirit was given to them to instruct them and the manna never ceased. For forty years God’s people never were in want and even their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell with all the walking around they had to do. God gave them kingdoms and peoples, and He allotted to them a boundary. They took possession of the land of Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan (Numbers 21:21-35). They continued to grow in number and power so that the promise to Abraham was fulfilled that his descendants became as numerous as the stars of Heaven (uncountable), and they eventually inhabited the land again as His chosen people. God won for them every victory as they conquered their Promised Land. They captured fortified cities and a fertile land taking possession of houses filled with every good thing: hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. “So they ate, were filled and grew fat, and reveled in Your great goodness. But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, and cast Your Law behind their backs and killed Your prophets who had admonished them so that they may return to You. And they committed great blasphemies.” Therefore, the LORD delivered them over to the hands of their oppressors who ruthlessly oppressed them as discipline from the LORD. But when they cried out to their God in the time of their distress, He heard from Heaven, and according to His great compassion gave them deliverers who freed them from their oppressors. However, as soon as they had rest, they recommitted themselves to doing evil before their God. As a result, the LORD abandoned them for a period to the hand of their enemies once more so that they ruled over them. But when they cried out again in their distress, God once more heard from Heaven and many times He rescued them according to His great compassion. And God admonished them so that they would turn back to His righteous Law. Yet they continued to act arrogantly and did not listen faithfully to His commandments and sinned against His ordinances “by which if a man observes them he shall live.” They kept turning a “stubborn shoulder” and “stiffened their neck” and would not listen to the Voice of their Maker and Sustainer. God bore with them for many years in His patience, admonishing them by His Spirit through His prophets. But they would not give ear. Their hearts became hardened. Therefore, God finally had to give them over into the hands of people from foreign lands. But, God in His great compassion, lovingkindness, grace, and faithfulness did not make a full end of His people, nor did He totally forsake them even though they definitely deserved it. The prayer ends with exaltation now as they had returned from their captivity. God was lifted high for His greatness, mightiness, awesomeness, covenant keepingness, and lovingkindness. They asked that all the hardship, which had come upon them, not be insignificant before Him. The kings, the princes, the prophets, the priests, the fathers, and all the people had learned great and mighty lessons in humility from the kings of Assyria, Babylon, and the Medes and Persians up until that day. In repentance, they acknowledged that God was just in their punishment because He had been faithful to the covenant and they had been wicked in the way they had acted by disobeying His Law. They had not paid attention to His commandments nor His admonitions even though He had blessed them beyond measure. They recognized that they were still slaves to the Gentiles that day, and their produce was for these foreign kings, which had been set over them because of their sins. These ruled over their bodies and over their cattle as they pleased and this was continuing the children of God’s distress. This is how the prayer ends (Nehemiah 9:1-37). A covenant would result, which begins in the last verse of the chapter. “Now because of all this we are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests (Nehemiah 9:38).”

*Application* Times of remembrance in prayer are important for us to process everything that the LORD has actually taken us through. When we do this honestly, we will find that His faithfulness, compassion, grace, forgiveness, and admonition is just as evident in our lives as these repentant Hebrews we have been studying. Take some time today to truthfully pray to God about the past, the present, and the future as we seek to obey Him better and be freed from any oppression that still besets us.

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 9:29-30

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 8

Nehemiah 8



-The second section of this book, which could be entitled, “The Reformation of the People Phase,” begins in this chapter. Nehemiah, and the rest of the leadership now in Jerusalem, had more than just a wall to repair. The Law of the LORD had been neglected and trampled on for so long that they needed a revival in their midst. When the wall was completed with all its gates and bars, all the people gathered in unity as one man in the square that was in front of the Water Gate section of Jerusalem. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given Israel, and read it before them with explanation. All who could understand, both men and women and children, came to listen on the first day of the seventh month of Elul. Ezra read from early morning to midday in their presence, and all were very attentive to the Book of the Law. He stood at a wooden podium, much like what we might call a pulpit in our modern day churches, that was made exactly for this purpose of proclamation. There were those of importance that stood to Ezra’s right and left hand as he voiced the words of God to the people from above them. When he opened the Book, all the people stood up in reverence. Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, with all the people in attendance saying, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands in praise. Then, they bowed low before the LORD in worship with their faces to the ground. True repentance, true honoring was evident in this powerful display of emotion, pomp, and pageantry. Just for the edification of the common people, there were also men, with Levites among them, that explained the Law to the people while they remained in their place. There were translations to give a sense so that they would really understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:1-8).

-The governor, Nehemiah, and the priest/scribe, Ezra, along with the Levites who taught the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” The people were distraught when the Law was read before them, for they realized their failures to obey it. But Nehemiah assured them, “Go, eat of the fat (abundant blessings), drink of the sweet (enjoying the goodness of the LORD), and send portions to him who has nothing prepared (a giving spirit); for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people as they chimed in, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” After that, all went away to eat and drink and give portions and celebrated with a great festival. They did this because they understood the words of the Book which had been made known to them, and they realized the abundant grace of their God, Yahweh (Nehemiah 8:9-12).

-On the second day all the heads of the fathers’ households of the people with the priests and Levites gathered up to Ezra the scribe so that they could get more insight into the words of the Law, which had been read. They found written in this Mosaic Law that God had given on Mt. Sinai a commandment to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. Therefore, they proclaimed and circulated to all their cities, including Jerusalem, to go and gather up olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and other leafy trees from the hills and make these booths as it was written in the Law. The people joyfully did this and made their booths on the rooftops, their courts, the courtyard of the House of God, and in the squares of the Water Gate and Gate of Ephraim. The entire assembly who had returned from the captivity made booths to live in for the appointed time outlined in the Book of the Law. This was the first time they had actually obeyed this commandment since the days of Joshua the son of Nun. It had been nearly a thousand years since they had followed God’s commands to regard this festival in this way, which reminded them of their people’s journey through the wilderness (Leviticus 23:39-43, Numbers 29:12-40). Because of the spirit of the people inclined back to their God, there was “great rejoicing,” and Ezra kept reading from the Book of the Law of God daily. From the first day to the last day of this festival, God’s Word was read, and the people celebrated. It lasted seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance of God (Nehemiah 8:13-18).

*Application* Our nation in America obviously needs a revival of this nature. We, as God’s people, are praying for this kind of awakening where people join together in unity to reverence, respect, and worship the Living God of the universe unashamedly. A return to the loving commands of the LORD would bring great rejoicing and celebration because people would be free from the dominion of sin and depravity in their lives. Let’s fervently pray for this kind of revival in our land. It’s not too late to make Jesus the most honored Man in America.

Verse to Memorize: Nehemiah 8:10

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 7

Nehemiah 7



-A census of the first returned exiles and the gifts which were given to the work are listed out for the reader by Nehemiah in this chapter. This happened after the walls were rebuilt, the doors had been set up, and the singers and Levites were appointed. Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, was put in charge of Jerusalem, and Hananiah was the commander of the fortress. Hanani was described as “a faithful man” and one who “feared God more than many.” These are two great traits for us to consider in any leader. Nehemiah instructed them to not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun was hot in the day. He also maintained that they should be standing guard at all times and to have the doors shut and bolted for protection. Guards were to be appointed only from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and they were each to be at their post, each in front of their own house. “Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built. (Nehemiah 7:1-4).”

-Then God put it in Nehemiah’s heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by their genealogies. This had been a time honored practice among the Hebrew people, and now they were trying to put their family lines back together after the exile as best they could. Nehemiah found the book, which coincides almost identically with Ezra’s listing in Ezra 2, of those who had come up from the province of Babylonian captivity as exiles back into the Promised Land. These are the ones whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had carried away during the time of Jeremiah the prophet and now had come back home, each to his own city. These names include the sons of listings and the men of certain areas. It also lists the priests, the Levites, the singers, the Temple servants, Solomon’s servants, as well as some who could not quite show their fathers’ houses or their descendants to prove they were Israelites. Some of the priests, that were further listed, searched among their ancestral registrations, but they could not be located; “therefore, they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood.” The governor told them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim, which represented the Voice of God for His Divine will. The whole assembly numbered 42,360, but there were 7,337 additional male and female servants and 245 male and female singers. Animal listings are even given in this census, and then the gifts that many gave for the work are credited. When the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were back in their cities living. This would have been the month of Tishri, which would be September/October in our calendar and a month after Elul (Nehemiah 6:15; 7:5-73).

*Application* Just because a work is completed doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need to be maintained. Vigilance is key in our Christian walk even after the decision to accept Christ’s atonement and forgiveness. Satan will never leave us alone. Even when he knows he has lost our soul to the Kingdom of God, he will still attack and try any way he can to make us ineffective in our walk and service. We, like the people of old in Jerusalem, must constantly stand on guard at each of our houses, both spiritually and physically, in this day and age. We need to be faithful and fearfully respect our LORD. Further, embrace the community we live in and have good records of what is going on for posterity’s sake. Especially consider those who have given above and beyond to make things better in our churches and societies. This cultivates a culture of honor and respect, which we need more of in our world today.

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 7:3, 6

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 6

Nehemiah 6



-We see the controversy and the plotting of the enemies of Nehemiah in this chapter as the walls are rebuilt. Despite the fact that the doors in the gates had not been set up quite yet, there was now no breach remaining in the walls of Jerusalem. This was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the rest of the enemies that came against God’s people. Sanballat and Geshem in particular wanted to get together with Nehemiah at Chephirim in the plain of Ono (some ancient manuscripts render this place “one of the villages”). However, Nehemiah, in his heightened discernment, perceived that they were planning to harm him. Therefore, he sent messengers to them relaying that he was doing a great work and could not come down to meet with them as they wanted. He rightly saw no purpose in conspiring with the naysayers and enemies of God’s plans and purposes. Four times messages were sent in this manner trying to lure him away from the work he was doing in the leading of the rebuilding project. Each time Nehemiah answered them in the exact same manner, no, not coming because I’m busy with a God-given assignment. This was at the very least a spiritual distraction from the work, what we might call “spiritual warfare” by the enemy. Sanballat sent a messenger a fifth time with an open letter of allegation in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel; therefore you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports. You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us take counsel together.” Nehemiah vehemently denied these false accusations sending a message back, which stated, “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind.” Verse nine sums up the whole episode succinctly, “For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.’” Then Nehemiah faithfully turned to his God and asked that He strengthen his hands for the task (Nehemiah 6:1-9). What wisdom, what fortitude, what discernment, what character, what faithfulness we see in this man during a time of temptation.

-Then, Nehemiah enters into the house of Shemaiah as the narrative continues. This man was confined to his house for some unknown reason, but Shemaiah wanted to meet together with Nehemiah in the House of God, in other words the Temple, with closed doors. He told Nehemiah that they, his enemies, were coming to kill him that night, and he needed to go there for safety. However, Nehemiah saw through his deceptive plan, which would have broken the laws of the LORD for His House. He stated, “Should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go in.” It was then that Nehemiah fully perceived that surely God had not sent this Shemaiah. In time he would discover his false prophecy against him was the result of Tobiah and Sanballat hiring him to bring bad news. They had, again, devised schemes to frighten God’s man in order to make him act indecisively and sin, so that they could give an evil report and bring criticism on him. Nehemiah once more prayed an imprecatory prayer, “Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me (Nehemiah 6:10-14).”

-Through all the attempted distractions and controversy the wall was completed in record time, in 52 days, on the twenty-fifth of the month of Elul (late summer near the end of August or early September in our calendar, for interesting insight on this date see: http://hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Elul/Creation/creation.html). “When the enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Also, in those days there were many letters that went back and forth between some of the nobles of Judah and Tobiah. Many in Judah were bound by an oath to Tobiah because he was a son-in-law of Schecaniah the son of Arah, and his son had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah (Nehemiah 3:30). They were trying to convince Nehemiah of Tobiah’s good deeds in his presence, and behind his back they would tell Tobiah everything Nehemiah was saying. Then Tobiah would keep sending these letters designed to frighten God’s chosen leader to rebuild the walls (Nehemiah 6:15-19). This indeed was a display of intrigue, suspicion, and deception, but God was on the move to do something special in His land of promise.

*Application* What a convoluted situation, right? There are times in our lives when we don’t really know who to trust and which direction to turn. It is imperative in those instances that we rely on the Voice of God and His Word in Scripture to discern, avoid, and act correctly in these types of situations. When God has us on a mission, there will be opposition. But, the fight is worth it, and our great God and King can surely give us complete victory.

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 6:9, 16

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 5

Nehemiah 5



-Social issues become the concern as chapter 5 commences. There was a great outcry from the people against their Jewish brothers as Nehemiah assumed his mantle of leadership. They were in desperate need for basic sustenance like grain so that they would be able to live. They were mortgaging their fields, their vineyards, and their houses to get grain due to a famine in the land. They had to borrow money for the king’s tax, which had been levied on their fields and vineyards. They were kin, but they were being exploited as slaves, even their sons and daughters being placed under bondage. They felt helpless because their fields and vineyards now belonged to others (Nehemiah 5:1-5).

-When Nehemiah, the great leader and savior during this time in Israel, heard about this situation, he was “very angry.” He consulted with himself, which I think is a hilarious but profound comment at this juncture, and then he “contended (riyb- pleaded, debated, strived, chided)” with the nobles and rulers who had power. He said to them plainly, “You are exacting usury, each from his brother.” This was clearly in violation of God’s Law for His people (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:34-43, Deuteronomy 23:19-20). Nehemiah, and the oppressed people, had every right to be angry and cry out in this situation. As a result, Nehemiah held a great assembly against these who were in sin. He proclaimed, “We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” This silenced the crowd for they had nothing to say in righteous defense of the accusation. He went further to tell them this thing they were doing was “not good” because it rested on the premise of not fearing God, which was the worst mistake a person in this set-apart nation could possibly do. Nehemiah rightly deduced that if this were to continue, they would continue to be a reproach before their enemies from other nations. He pleaded with them to refrain from using usury against their kinsmen and to give them back their fields, vineyards, olive groves, houses, the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which they were extracting from them. The congregation responded accurately, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” Nehemiah then consecrated this commitment by calling the priests to have them all take an oath to do according to their promise. As a symbol, he shook out the front of his garment and verbalized, “Thus may God shake out every man from his house and from his possessions who does not fulfill this promise; even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.” The assembly heartedly said, “Amen!” in an enthusiastic and positive response. And then they all praised the LORD together as His people. “Then the people did according to this promise (Nehemiah 5:6-13).”

-All of this brought about a time of rejoicing in the land as each neighbor blessed one another. Nehemiah was appointed governor in the land of Judah for his expertise in leadership and devotion to the causes of his LORD. For 12 years, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes’ reign, he nor his kinsmen ever ate of the governor’s food allowance, a type of welfare system. The former governors before him had laid heavy burdens on the people and took bread and wine from them besides 40 shekels of silver. Even the governors’ servants domineered over the people because of their ego trip, but Nehemiah was different. He did not do these kinds of things because of his fear of God (Nehemiah 5:14-15). Not just this, but he applied himself to the work on the walls of Jerusalem. They did not buy any land, and all his servants were gathered there for the purpose of working on God’s holy city. 150 Jews and officials, and in addition some who visited from time to time from other nations around them, ate at his table every day. They would have ox, sheep, and birds prepared for them to partake. Every 10 days all sorts of wine was furnished in abundance. Yet, Nehemiah never had to demand or make request of the governor’s food allowance, “because the servitude was heavy on this people.” Another way of saying that I believe is that God was pouring out His blessings on a faithful and upright servant. Nehemiah’s final comment in the chapter expresses his utter dependence on his Maker and Sustainer, “Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people (Nehemiah 5:16-19).”

*Application* Benevolence is a big part of God’s program on earth. It brings the love of His Kingdom right to the heart of our needs as a society. The giving spirit is evident when we refuse to use and abuse people. Never kick people when they are down. Give them a hand up and lift them to new heights. A great leader will sacrifice his own good to share with others and bless them abundantly. Not only that, it brings the blessings of the LORD upon a society as we reverence Him and love others with our actions. How much better off would we be as a society in America if we could live out these principles set forth in this enlightening chapter of Scripture.

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 5:7, 15

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 4

Nehemiah 4



-When Sanballat heard the news that God’s people were rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem, “he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.” He spread his hatred and venom in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy of Samaria saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” An Ammonite by the name of Tobiah was near him and further exclaimed in denunciation of the work, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down (Nehemiah 4:1-3)!” Jealousy, hatred, wrath, mockery, and disdain sum up these enemies from without.

-Nehemiah pleaded with God upon hearing these insults and defamation, “Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.” Despite the obvious challenges, the work went on, and the wall was built to half of its original height, joined together, “for the people had a mind to work.” When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard of the progress that was being made to the walls and how the breaches were beginning to be closed for the protection of this city, they were “very angry.” They conspired together as a result to come and fight against Jerusalem for the purpose of disturbance in it (Nehemiah 4:4-8).

-But, Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem “prayed to our God,” and set up a guard against their foes day and night. However, rumors of discouragement began to circulate within as well. It was said in Judah, “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, yet there is much rubbish; and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.” They also repeated the threatening and relentless words of their enemies, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” Nehemiah was getting reports that the enemies were boldly planning to come up and surround the city so that the inhabitants could not flee in any direction. Because of this, Nehemiah stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, “the exposed places.” He stationed them in family units with their weapons of war at hand: swords, spears, and bows. Nehemiah, who was now taking the mantle of military general, discerned the understandable fear in his nobles, officials, and the rest of the people. So he spoke courageously and with great inspiration and faith to them, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses (Nehemiah 4:9-14).” Nehemiah continued to show his rising stardom as a leader for God’s people in a desperate time of need. The LORD’s plan was proceeding forward despite many obstacles.

-When their enemies heard that the Jews knew about their intentions to attack the city and that God had frustrated their plans, they refrained from their aims, thus the people of Jerusalem went back to work on the wall, each one doing his or her part. From that day on they worked with half of the servants tending to the wall and the other half guarding the city equipped for a fight with spears, shields, bows, and breastplates. In fact, the captains of the whole house of Judah were in support militarily. Even those working on the wall held a weapon with one hand or girded one at their side while they labored. And, the trumpeter was never far from Nehemiah to alert all with the sound of command. If the sound of attack from the trumpet was heard across the city, the people were instructed to rally to where an attack was occurring. This demonstrated forethought and preparation in the case of opposition. But, they acknowledged where their real help came from when Nehemiah exclaimed, “Our God will fight for us.” So they carried on the work undaunted with vigilance and tenacity from dawn until the stars appeared every day. One further thing was noted in the text regarding all the servants, who were instructed to spend the night within Jerusalem as continuous guards by night and laborers in the day. These, along with Nehemiah and those who followed him as brothers, servants, and men of the guard, did not even remove their clothes taking their weapons even to the water for drinks and purification (Nehemiah 4:15-23). The point is, they were always alert and ready.

*Application* Anything God calls us to do will have opposition. This is the essence of spiritual warfare that we see in the passage today. There will be enemies from outside trying to distract, mock, threat, and discourage. There will also be fears from within and doubts when our eyes of faith aren’t quite what they should be. Nehemiah provides us with incredible leadership principles to note from this narrative. He does not back down from the challenges, he inspires his people, he carefully considers situations and develops a viable plan with vigilance, and he counts on his God in total and unyielding faith. We can do that too as God raises us up to the mantle of leadership, wherever it may be.




Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 4:15, 20

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 3

Nehemiah 3



-Chapter three gives the reader a listing of the detailed work plan and the individuals who carried out this monumental task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the gates of the city with all the repairs necessary to protect the holy city. They started at the Sheep Gate on the farthest north boundary of the city and consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. This was accomplished by Eliashib, the high priest, and his brothers who were also priests. Next to them were men from Jericho, and next to them was a group led by Zaccur as they worked westward. Next came the sons of Hassenaah, who built the Fish Gate. “They laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.” Repairs to the walls were continued to be made as they ventured west and turned slightly to the south led by Meremoth and Meshullam and Zadok. Next to Zadok were the Tekoites making repairs, but their nobles unfortunately did not support them. At the northwest corner of the operation, Joiada and another man by the name of Meshullam, not related to the former above, repaired completely the Old Gate with beams, doors, bolts, and bars as well. Next to them were Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, also making repairs for the official seat of the governor of the province beyond the River in this empire controlled by the Medes and the Persians. Next to them was Uzziel of the goldsmiths and then there was Hananiah, one of the perfumers, who made repairs in restoring the walls of Jerusalem all the way to the Broad Wall as one goes southward and slightly back towards the east due to the terrain of the land. Then came Rephaiah, who was an official of half the district of Jerusalem. He made repairs in this section. Next to him was Jedaiah, who made repairs opposite his house, and he was followed as they continued south by Hattush, who also was working hard making repairs to the ruins. As things continued south to about the mid-way point of the project on the western side of the city, Halchijah and Hasshub made repairs as far as the Tower of Furnaces. Next to them Shallum, the son of Hallohesh, an official of the other half of the district of Jerusalem, made repairs along with his daughters between the Tower of Furnaces and the Valley Gate. At the Valley Gate, it was Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah who built the gates back up with doors, bolts, and bars. They also built back a thousand cubits (about 1,500 feet) of the wall to the southernmost point of the Refuse Gate. At the Refuse Gate, it was Machijah, the official of the district of Beth-haccherem, making repairs. “He built it and hung its doors with its bolts and its bars.” Shallum, the son of Col-hozeh and the official of the district of Mizpah, was the man in charge of repairing the Fountain Gate, which was also at the southernmost point just east of the Refuse Gate. “He built it, covered it, and hung its doors with its bolts and its bars.” Now turning back northward on the eastern side of the city, he also oversaw the rebuilding of “the wall of the Pool of Shelah at the king’s garden as far as the steps that descend from the city of David (Nehemiah 3:1-15).”

-After Shallum’s section ended, Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk (not the writer of the book or chief tactician) and official of half the district of Beth-zur, made repairs as far as a point opposite the tombs of David and the artificial pool and house of the mighty men of ancient times. After him the Levites carried out repairs under the guidance of Rehum. Then came Hashabiah, who was the official of half the district of Keilah. He represented his district in leading this project of reestablishment of the walls of Jerusalem. After him their brothers continued making repairs northward under Bavvai, who was the official of the other half of the district of Keilah. Next to him was a leader named Ezer, who was an official of Mizpah. He repaired another section from in front of the ascent of the armory at the Angle. After him, Baruch “zealously repaired” from the Angle to the doorway of Eliashib’s house, who was the high priest (see Nehemiah 3:1). After him, it was Meremoth who was in charge of yet another section of the wall. He oversaw repairs from Eliashib’s house even as far as the end of his own house. Then, as they continued north, the priests, the men of the valley (Jordan Valley), carried out repairs. Next to them and still going northward to the west of the Kidron, Benjamin and Hasshub carried out repairs in front of their houses, along with Azariah as the project kept going. After Azariah, it was Binnui who repaired yet another delicate section “from the house Azariah as far as the Angle as far as the corner.” Palal “made repairs in front of the Angle and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard.” After him, Pedaiah made more repairs along this eastern boundary. The Temple servants living in Ophel were in charge of work as far as the Water Gate and the Projecting Tower. After them the Tekoites repaired another section in front of the “great projecting tower and as far as the wall of Ophel.” Above the Horse Gate, more priests carried out repairs, “each in front of his own house.” After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs to his own house as well. Shemaiah followed him as “the keeper of the East Gate” carrying out further repairs. The sixth son of Zalaph, Hanun, and his comrade Hananiah the son of Shelemiah repaired another section. After them, Meshullam carried out fixes in front of his own quarters. After him, Malchijah, another of the goldsmiths, carried out his repairs as far as the house of the Temple servants and of the merchants in front of the Inspection Gate and as far as the upper room, which was in the northeast corner of the city. “Between the upper room of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants carried out repairs.” So, in this complete and detailed account of where everyone was at in the rebuilding process of Jerusalem’s walls and gates, the reader is back from where he/she started in verse one on the northern side of the holy city (Nehemiah 3:16-32). Below is a pictorial of this to help our understanding:

*Application* Any vision that we receive will have to have detailed plans, which are to be faithfully carried out by people other than ourselves. Teamwork makes the dream work, we’ve all probably heard before and it’s true. Anything God calls us to is far beyond ourselves so that we can share the glory with Him and others and not receive it just for our own sinful pleasures or desires. Always remember to give credit and honor to those who have helped in fulfilling the dreams God has given us.

Verse to Memorize: Nehemiah 3:1

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Chapter 2

Nehemiah 2



-Nehemiah’s prayers are answered as the second chapter gets under way in the Medo-Persian Empire’s capital city of Susa. In the month of Nisan (called the “month of miracles” in the Hebrew calendar, it is the first month celebrating their release from Egypt, Exodus 12:2, and it is in the spring time) in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, when wine was set before him, and Nehemiah took up the wine as the cupbearer, the king noticed a somber demeanor in his official. Nehemiah had not been sad in the king’s presence up to this point, so it was obvious to the king that something serious was bothering his servant. This elicited the response by the king to inquire of Nehemiah, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick?” He discerned Nehemiah’s “sadness of heart.” This initially made Nehemiah fearful, but he gathered up his courage, perhaps realizing that this was the time of God’s answer to his prayer for condition changing in his homeland. He respectfully addressed the king, “Let the king live forever.” Then he pleaded his petition before him, “Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my father’s tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” The king replied, “What would you request?” This led Nehemiah to go right back to prayer for a God-given response (Nehemiah 2:1-4).

-When Nehemiah got his word from God, he answered the king stating, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” Artaxerxes did want to know the duration of this venture, and when his servant would return. Therefore, Nehemiah did give him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send him on his way with blessing. This was of the LORD for His glory and the fulfillment of His prophetic word. So Nehemiah went further with his request, “If it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the River (Euphrates), that they may allow me to pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress which is by the Temple (bayith- house), for the wall of the city and for the house (bayith- Temple) to which I will go.” Because the good Hand of the LORD was on this situation and His servant Nehemiah, the king gladly granted all his requests. But, when Nehemiah actually came, with officers of the king’s army and horsemen, to the governors of these provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters, Sanballat, the Horonite official, and Tobiah, the Ammonite official, were very displeased that someone “had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel (Nehemiah 2:5-10).”

-Nehemiah, nonetheless, ventured on towards Jerusalem with the authority given by God and the king of the empire. He finally came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. Then, he arose in the night with a few of his men. He did not tell anyone what God was putting in his mind to do for the city, and he did not take any animal with him except the one he was riding on this secret-inspection maneuver. He went out by the Valley Gate (towards the Kidron) in the direction southward towards the Dragon’s Well and on to the Refuse Gate (where trash was dumped into the valley on the south side of the city) inspecting the walls of the holy city, which were broken down with gates consumed by fire. Nehemiah then passed on in the cover of night to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but he found no passable place for his mount to go close to this area. So he went up, again by night, by the ravine and inspected the walls from there. Finally, he entered the Valley Gate from where he began and returned. “The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work.” Upon completion of this inspection mission, he said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” Then he told them how the Hand of God had been upon him for favor and related to them the king’s words, which had been spoken to him. The people responded enthusiastically, “Let us arise and build.” “So they put their hands to the good work.” But, again, this was not without resistance. When Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they mocked the people of Jerusalem and despised them. They accused them of rebellion against the Medo-Persian king and questioned everything they were doing. However, Nehemiah’s answer to them was courageous and confident, “The God of Heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.”

*Application* When God has put a call on our life, He will provide the plan, provision, and favor to accomplish that task according to His timing and will for His purposes. This is the great lesson from this text that we should derive. Things will just work out, it’s uncanny. We will see miracles and things will move forward without us even trying to make, or force, them. There will be excitement, enthusiasm, and a can do spirit with most involved. Will there be opposition? Always, we can count on that. But again, we see that confidence and courage, along with some real-life ingenuity and perseverance, can take us through those obstacles. Let’s remember too that faith is all over this process.

Verses to Memorize: Nehemiah 2:5, 18

Bible Study Notes in Nehemiah- Introduction and Chapter 1

Nehemiah 1



-Introduction: Nehemiah, the son of Hacaliah, writes this intriguing narrative of the events that led to the rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem post the Babylonian captivity. A contemporary of Ezra, Nehemiah finds himself leading and organizing a monumental project to secure God’s holy city. He starts out in Susa, but soon leads the third wave of exiles back to their homeland to rebuild the city walls. Nehemiah’s return is dated at 445 B.C. with this writing taking place between that time until around 432 B.C.. Some have indicated that Ezra helped edit the work, but it is primarily written in Nehemiah’s first person qualifying the work as uniquely his. Nehemiah is the last of the historical books of the Old Testament and is a brilliant display of faith renewal after a time of discipline for God’s people. A key passage in the text is Nehemiah 6:15-16, “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. When all the enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” The themes of the book include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) Vision- Nehemiah got a sad report on the condition of God’s holy city and was burdened to do something about it. He first sook the LORD in prayer and then took decisive action to fulfill what God had commanded him to do. Without vision the people perish, or go unrestrained (Proverbs 29:18). 2) Prayer- Both Nehemiah and Ezra are shown to respond to their troubles by seeking the LORD first and foremost. When problems arose in the process, immediate prayer was the prescription followed by courageous action to their revelation from God. 3) Leadership- Nehemiah demonstrated incredible leadership skills in navigating tough terrain and coming through in record time. He was spiritually competent and capable to head God’s call upon his life’s work. He exhibited careful planning, teamwork, problem solving, influence, and extreme courage to get the job done with the respect of his followers. He did the extra things it takes to be successful with faith as his guide. 4) Problems- Nehemiah faced slander, scorn, and real threats from the enemy outside. He also faced the fears, conflicts, doubts, complaints, and discouragement from within his own group. He did not quit in the face of adversity. 5) Repentance/Renewal/Revival- Even with the rebuilding of the Temple and walls of the city, God’s work was actually incomplete until the hearts of the people returned to Him. Ezra instructed on God’s Word, the people listened to him, they responded appropriately to the sin in their lives by confession and recommitment to the LORD, and they removed the idols for total reform. Let’s learn all the principles God has for us as we study the book of Nehemiah, “the wall builder.”

(Ideas extracted from “New American Standard Bible: Life Application Study Bible.” Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 1995, pgs. 790-791)

-Chapter 1: Authorship is specially given in the first verse of this work. Nehemiah, the son of Hacaliah provides these words for the reader through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Now it happened in the month of Chislev (to our calendar it would be November or December), in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes reign, that Nehemiah was in the capital of the Persian Empire in Susa. Hanani, one of his brothers, and some other men from Judah arrived where he was in Susa. Nehemiah promptly asked them how the Jews who had escaped back to their homeland already and those who had remained and survived the captivity were doing in Jerusalem. He also wanted to know the condition of the holy city. Their response was very discouraging. They told him of how those who had survived the captivity were in great distress and reproach. They told him of how Jerusalem itself was in shambles with walls broken down and its gates burned with fire. When Nehemiah heard these sad words, all he could do was sit down and weep and mourn. He did this not for just minutes or hours, but for days. He was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven as a broken man hurting for his homeland (Nehemiah 1:1-4).

-His prayer gives us insight as to how great a man this Nehemiah was. He beseeched the LORD God of Heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His promises and does so with lovingkindness for those who love Him and obey His commandments, to give His Ear attention and to open His eyes to see that His servant was praying to Him for change. Nehemiah was praying before his LORD night and day on behalf of the sons of Israel (intercession). He let God know that they all were, in a respect, His servants and His prize possession. He confessed their sins as a nation, which they had done against a holy God. He acknowledged that they had acted very corruptly (or wickedly) against their Maker and had transgressed His righteous commandments, statutes, and ordinances willfully, which their father Moses had received from the LORD. He remembered the promise that God would indeed scatter His flock among the peoples of the world if they disobeyed His precepts, which had now happened. But, Nehemiah also petitioned the LORD to recall that He had prophetically declared, “If you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My Name to dwell (Deuteronomy 30:1-4, Nehemiah 1:9).” He reminded God that the people of Israel were His servants, His people whom He had redeemed by His great power and strong Hand. Finally, he begged the LORD once more to have an attentive Ear to his humble prayer because he solemnly revered His Name. Then, Nehemiah asked the LORD to give him success and compassion before the king that he was about to engage. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king, and had a request (Nehemiah 1:5-11).

*Application* Leadership starts with our acknowledgement that there is a higher Authority above us and that we must answer to Him in every respect. It also starts with a burden to make this world a better place for those we love and cherish. This is where we find Nehemiah, and where we should find ourselves when God calls us to do something that may seem impossible. Pray, pray, pray. Intercede for those you care so much for and confess all sin. God is loving, God is kind, God hears and sees everything that is on our heart. Take it all to Him and make your requests known before the throne of Heaven (Philippians 4:6).





Verse to Memorize: Nehemiah 1:5