Nehemiah

Garry Leonard Harding

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Introduction

The book of Nehemiah opens with the sad news that the city of Jerusalem remained a city with- out walls. It had been about 90 years after the first relay of people arrived in Jerusalem under Zerubbabel to rebuild the altar and Temple. Then some 30 years later, a second group of return- ees arrived in Jerusalem with Ezra. Yet after all this time, there were still no protective boundar- ies around God’s city. At this time in history, it was both dangerous and dumb to keep valuables in a town without walls. There was no other conventional way to keep the goods inside and the thieves outside. Yet, after nearly a century, the priceless Temple ornamentation and furnishings (composed of gold, silver, and other precious materials) were apparently still intact—but not without trouble (). In the book of Nehemiah, we learn about the third migration from Persia to Jerusalem—this time led by Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king. In the first half of the book, Nehemiah leads God’s people to rebuild the walls of the city. In the second half, Nehemiah guides the people within those walls to rebuild their spirituality. We can outline the story of Nehemiah by its chapters:

Rebuilding the Walls ()

Chapter 1: Nehemiah Prays about the Walls Chapter 2: Nehemiah Inspects the Walls Chapter 3: Builders of the Walls

Chapter 4: Opposition Outside the Walls Chapter 5: Conflict Inside the Walls Chapter 6: Completion of the Walls

Rebuilding the People ()

Chapter 7: The People Listed

Chapter 8: The People Hear God’s Word Chapter 9: The People Confess Their Sins Chapter 10: The People Make a Covenant Chapter 11: The People Regroup

Chapter 12: The People Dedicate the Walls Chapter 13: The People’s Final Reformation

We canalsooutlinethebookthematicallywithavarietyofapproaches. In this lesson, wechoose to approach the book with an eye on the New Testament analogy of Christ and the Church. Nehemiah leads the people to build the walls, each using their abilities, each standing against opposition, all working together…this is a wonderful picture of who we are as the Church under Christ’s leadership (). With the walls completed, however, the people were not to sit back and rest. Their challenge was to hear God’s Word, to confess their sins, to choose God’s way, to bring others into their midst, and to continue the process of reformation until the end (). Let us now consider His Church and Our Challenge.

📷His Church 6)

Nehemiah presents to us a wonderful picture of Christ Jesus. At first appearance to the western reader, Nehemiah’s position as cupbearer to the king appears rather insignificant (). This title, however, was assigned to one of the most honorable and influential positions

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”

before the king. Nehemiah would willingly put aside all the privileges and comforts of the great Persian empire, the ruling world force, to live with and guide the humble and simple people of God in Jerusalem. Likewise, Christ descended from the heights of glory to become our Savior. Nehemiah was given full protection and provision for his mission by King Artaxerxes, the same king who sent Ezra on his mission three decades prior. In the same manner, Christ was provided angelic protection and heavenly provision for His journey from the kingdom of heaven to earth, where He would build His Church.

Nehemiah had an Ezra to prepare the way before Him, in much the same way that Christ was preceded by John the Baptist. Before Nehemiah launched his plan, he first examined the walls by night (). Similarly, before our Lord raised the Church, He experienced His own dark night—being crucified on our behalf and bearing the punishment of sin for our salvation. When Nehemiah called the people to rebuild, he expected all to work, each according to their ability, each where they lived (). When Jesus built His Church, His method was to equip each one of the saints with spiritual gifts and to lead each of us to serve God by working together, each in the context of our own gifts, calling, and location ().

Nehemiah and the people faced serious opposition to their task as did the early Church when she faced severe persecution (compare with ). The Jews in Nehemiah’s time needed to care for their poor as did the Christians under their Christ (; ). But whether opposition came from without or conflict arose from within, the work of God would be accomplished according to the plan of God (; ; ). It took approximately 50 days for the people to complete the wall, under Nehemiah’s leadership. It was on Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection, that the Church was birthed, under Christ’s Lordship. May we never forget leaders, like Nehemiah, who led God’s people to rebuild the ancient city of Jerusalem. Let us always remember that the ultimate fulfillment of their example is Christ Himself, who is still building His Church, of which we are part today.

Your Challenge ()

It took only 52 days to build the walls, but it would be 12 years before the walls were dedicated, with great celebration. Beginning in , we find description of a task more important than building the walls of the city—God’s work was not yet finished in the hearts and lives of the people. So it is today. The glorious Church, the Bride of Christ, has been established. But the purification and preparation of the Bride for the final and great celebration before God are still in process. When God calls us to Himself, He loves us as we are. However, God is not con- tent that we remain in spiritual infancy. With loving care, the Good Shepherd leads us through dark valleys and into green pastures (). He calls us by name, and cares for each of us as though we were His only child (). This divine love for each individual is highlighted in where the exiles are listed by name.

Central to the work of God in our lives is the Word of God. In , the Jews are stirred to seek their God after hearing an extended reading of the Scriptures by Ezra. As a result, they gather as one to confess their sins to God () and to make a new covenant with God (). Today the Temple is composed of living stones, the gathered saints of God. Nev-

As you come to Him, the Living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices accept- able to God through Jesus Christ.

ertheless, the centrality of God’s Word in worship, the need to confess our sins for salvation and cleansing, and to dedicate ourselves to God for service…these things remain keystones in the corporate worship of God’s people. If Scripture, repentance, and dedication to God are laid as a foundation, then we are well established for building and growth.

In , a tithe of the people was moved from outside the city to inside the walls, giving strength to the city. Any healthy church carries the same vision. Christian congregations are not islands but lighthouses pouring out light on paths of entrance for the darkened world.

, read in context, makes clear that the grand celebration on the walls of Jeru- salem (described in ) did not occur until 12 years later, after Nehemiah’s excursion back to Persia and home again. The dedication of the walls was crowned when two grand choirs marched triumphantly in opposite directions on top of and around the walls. “And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away” ().

Final Thought

Like God’s people in Nehemiah’s day, we too can celebrate with great joy in the presence of God. Our Lord Jesus has returned to His heavenly kingdom for the time (as Nehemiah returned to Persia), but He will come back, and we will be gathered for a celebration unlike any other. For not only will the walls be complete, but the work of God to purify us will be brought to it’s con- clusion. In , Nehemiah led the people into a final reformation. The work of God’s grace to cleanse and purify will be complete when we celebrate together in the New Jerusalem, the eternal city of God. With this day of rejoicing before us, let us work together daily to build up one another in our most holy faith as Jesus builds us into the temple of God. This is our chal- lenge!

Spending Time With God

This lesson, from the series “Reigning Heroes,” is designed to supplement your personal and small group Bible study. The devotion questions are written for your personal study. The dis- cussion questions are especially for small groups. Members who answer the questions ahead of time can bring more insight into their small group meeting. The digging deeper questions are for those who wish for more personal or small group study. As you spend time with God, may His Word enrich your life and enhance your daily walk with Him. BEFORE YOU BEGIN, PRAY.

Devotion (Personal Study)

1. Read . Describe the problem Nehemiah faced.

2. How did Nehemiah react to this problem ()?

Read the following references and briefly describe the passion for God’s people (like Nehemiah’s) shown by Moses (), Esther (), Paul (), and Jesus

().

Moses:

Esther:

Paul:

Jesus:

3. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being very little and 10 being very high) how great is your passion for God’s people? Write a prayer ask- ing God to give you a heart like Nehemiah’s for the Church.

Discussion (Small Group Study)

4. What insight or question from your personal study, or from the commentary this week would you like to discuss and ex- plore further with the group?

5. In , we see the beginning of the miraculous answers to prayer experienced by Nehemiah. What do you find most amazing about the way God moved mountains be- fore Nehemiah?

6. Jesus promised answers to our prayers () and chal- lenges along the way (). Early in Nehemiah’s journey, the opposition began to mount (). What obsta- cles do you face today in your effort to obey God?

7. From , what wise principles can we draw

from Nehemiah’s approach to his huge task?

8. In , the people worked together to build the walls, each doing his or her part. What do you believe your pri- mary contribution is or can be in God’s kingdom-building work today?

9. Skim and take note of qualities in Nehemiah’s life that enabled the miraculous rebuilding of the city’s walls in 52 days (). Which of these qualities do you wish to emulate in your own life, family, and ministry?

Why?

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

10. Describe the spiritual renewal that occurred in as the people were instructed through God’s Word.

What inspires you most about this account?

11. describe the confessions and promises of the people. Yet after Nehemiah left the city to fulfill his duties to the king, the people’s behavior lapsed (; note v.6). Once again, the people were called to obedience. What can we learn from this account?

12. Complete this thought: “The primary insight I wish to re-

member from the book of Nehemiah is …”

13. What truths have you learned from the book of Nehemiah?

Pray as a group for God to enable you to embrace and obey the

truths you have learned.

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