Nehemiah 6

Nehemiah 6: ESV

Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), ²Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono." But they intended to do me harm. ³And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" ⁴And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. ⁵In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. ⁶In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. ⁷And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together." ⁸Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind." ⁹For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

¹⁰Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night." ¹¹But I said, "Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in." ¹²And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ¹³For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. ¹⁴ Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

¹⁵So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, And for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. ¹⁷Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. ¹⁸For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. ¹⁹Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Nehemiah 6 - Message

^1-2 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that there were no more breaks in it—even though I hadn't yet installed the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent this message: "Come and meet with us at Kephirim in the valley of Ono."

^2-3 I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: "I'm doing a great work; I can't come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?"

⁴ Four times they sent this message and four times I gave them my answer.

^5-6 The fifth time—same messenger, same message—Sanballat sent an unsealed letter with this message:

^6-7 "The word is out among the nations—and Geshem says it's true— that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That's why you are rebuilding the wall. The word is that you want to be king and that you have appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, 'There's a king in Judah!' The king is going to be told all this—don't you think we should sit down and have a talk?"

⁸ I sent him back this: "There's nothing to what you're saying. You've made it all up."

⁹ They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, "They'll give up; they'll never finish it."

I prayed, "Give me strength."

¹⁰ Then I met secretly with Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, at his house. He said:
Let's meet at the house of God,
inside The Temple;
Let's find safety behind locked doors
because they're coming to kill you,
Yes, coming by night to kill you.

¹¹ I said, "Why would a man like me run for cover? And why would a man like me use The Temple as a hideout? I won't do it."

^12-13 I sensed that God hadn't sent this man. The so-called prophecy he spoke to me was the work of Tobiah and Sanballat; they had hired him. He had been hired to scare me off—trick me—a layman, into desecrating The Temple and ruining my good reputation so they could accuse me.

¹⁴ "O my God, don't let Tobiah and Sanballat get by with all the mischief they've done. And the same goes for the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who have been trying to undermine my confidence."

^15-16 The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul. It had taken fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard the news and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies totally lost their nerve. They knew that God was behind this work.

^17-19 All during this time letters were going back and forth constantly between the nobles of Judah and Tobiah. Many of the nobles had ties to him because he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. They kept telling me all the good things he did and then would report back to him anything I would say. And then Tobiah would send letters to intimidate me.

Obedience

Maybe, I should have a blog about obedience or disobedience. Or, maybe, I should have a blog about ADHD. Either way, as you can tell, I stopped doing the bible study that I SO CLEARLY heard God tell me to do. Let's see. It's December and I haven't looked at Nehemiah since March....as you can tell from my March 2 entry.

I love God's timing and God's grace. Nehemiah 5 and 6 is about tests. I am under, probably, the BIGGEST test of my life. Do you think it is coincidence that I stopped in March and started again today? NO IT IS NOT! God knows what I need, when I need it. So, I'm assuming some of you need this, at this very moment, too!

So, I will begin again. That seems to be the story of my life.

Here we go.....Nehemiah 6!

Satan stirs the Jews up against Each Other

Commentary by: Bible Track

As a fellow pastor frequently says, "It's not the money, it's the money!"

What else does Satan have in his bag of tricks to stop the work on the wall?

How about bickering within...over money! Some of the Jews begin poor mouthing against their Jewish brethren about how tough the times are because of their wall-building effort. Attack from outsiders is one thing, but what about when your own relatives are giving you fits about your service to God?

It was REALLY a struggle between the rich and the poor among the Jews. It appears that the financially-challenged Jews were losing their property (and kids) to the more financially astute Jews. There was also an issue of interest being paid to fellow Jews (a violation of Mosaic Law), not to mention the cost of taxes paid back to the Persians.

Bottom line - it was about the money. An internal struggle within the community of God's people - Satan loves it! As we see here, it's one of his tried and proven techniques.

The solution? Recognition of priorities - just that simple. When we recognize the methods of the devil, Satan has a tougher row to hoe.

This dissension particularly disturbs Nehemiah (he was the governor); he blew his top.

When the smoke had cleared, that old tried and proven tactic of turning God's people on each other had failed. Nehemiah, as their governor, had motivated the people right through and past this period of selfishness. They all make some financial concessions so that the work of God can continue.

Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah 5 - ESV

Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, "With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive." There were also those who said, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine." And there were those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards."

I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, "We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!" They were silent and could not find a word to say. So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them."

Then they said, "We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say." And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, "So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said "Amen" and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people

ESV 5 - Message

A great protest was mounted by the people, including the wives, against their fellow Jews. Some said, "We have big families, and we need food just to survive."

Others said, "We're having to mortgage our fields and vineyards and homes to get enough grain to keep from starving."

And others said, "We're having to borrow money to pay the royal tax on our fields and vineyards. Look: We're the same flesh and blood as our brothers here; our children are just as good as theirs. Yet here we are having to sell our children off as slaves—some of our daughters have already been sold—and we can't do anything about it because our fields and vineyards are owned by somebody else."

I got really angry when I heard their protest and complaints. After thinking it over, I called the nobles and officials on the carpet. I said, "Each one of you is gouging his brother."

Then I called a big meeting to deal with them. I told them, "We did everything we could to buy back our Jewish brothers who had to sell themselves as slaves to foreigners. And now you're selling these same brothers back into debt slavery! Does that mean that we have to buy them back again?"

They said nothing. What could they say?

"What you're doing is wrong. Is there no fear of God left in you? Don't you care what the nations around here, our enemies, think of you?

"I and my brothers and the people working for me have also loaned them money. But this gouging them with interest has to stop. Give them back their foreclosed fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes right now. And forgive your claims on their money, grain, new wine, and olive oil."

They said, "We'll give it all back. We won't make any more demands on them. We'll do everything you say."

Then I called the priests together and made them promise to keep their word. Then I emptied my pockets, turning them inside out, and said, "So may God empty the pockets and house of everyone who doesn't keep this promise—turned inside out and emptied."

Everyone gave a wholehearted "Yes, we'll do it!" and praised God. And the people did what they promised.

From the time King Artaxerxes appointed me as their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of his reign, twelve years—neither I nor my brothers used the governor's food allowance. Governors who had preceded me had oppressed the people by taxing them forty shekels of silver (about a pound) a day for food and wine while their underlings bullied the people unmercifully. But out of fear of God I did none of that. I had work to do; I worked on this wall. All my men were on the job to do the work. We didn't have time to line our own pockets.

I fed 150 Jews and officials at my table in addition to those who showed up from the surrounding nations. One ox, six choice sheep, and some chickens were prepared for me daily, and every ten days a large supply of wine was delivered. Even so, I didn't use the food allowance provided for the governor—the people had it hard enough as it was.

Remember in my favor, O my God, Everything I've done for these people.

Nehemiah 4:16-23

We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over until our work has ended.

The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which we ought to have always at hand, and never have to seek for it, either in our labours, or in our conflicts, as Christians.

Every true Christian is both a laborer and a soldier, working with one hand, and fighting with the other.

Satan fears to assault the watchful Christian; or, if attacked, the Lord fights for him. We must never take off our armor until our work and warfare are ended; then we shall be welcomed to the rest and joy of our Lord.

Nehemiah 4: 7-15 Commentary

The hindering of good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God has many ways of bringing to light the devices and designs of his church's enemies.

If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. (Big statement)

Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It was the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy.

If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if we secure ourselves by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God. Either way, we forfeit his protection. (WOW!)

God's care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God.

How Does This Commentary Apply in your Life?

Verse 1-6: Many a good work has been looked upon with contempt by proud and haughty scorners. Those who disagree in almost every thing, will unite in persecution. Nehemiah did not answer these fools according to their folly, but looked up to God by prayer. God's people have often been a despised people, but God hears all the slights that are put upon them. Nehemiah had reason to think that the hearts of those sinners were desperately hardened, or he would not have prayed that their sins might never be blotted out. Good work goes on well, when people have a mind to it. The reproaches of enemies should quicken us to our duty, not drive us from it.

Commentary by Matthew Henry

Nehemiah 4 - AGAIN!

I can't believe I haven't been on this blog in, almost, a week. Sorry!

Since it's been a week since I posted Nehemiah 4, I'm going to post it again, this time in the Message translation.

Tomorrow, we can start with our thoughts on it!

Nehemiah 4: (Message)

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he exploded in anger, vilifying the Jews. In the company of his Samaritan cronies and military he let loose: "What are these miserable Jews doing? Do they think they can get everything back to normal overnight? Make building stones out of make-believe?"

At his side, Tobiah the Ammonite jumped in and said, "That's right! What do they think they're building? Why, if a fox climbed that wall, it would fall to pieces under his weight."

Nehemiah prayed, "Oh listen to us, dear God. We're so despised: Boomerang their ridicule on their heads; have their enemies cart them off as war trophies to a land of no return; don't forgive their iniquity, don't wipe away their sin—they've insulted the builders!"

We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work.

When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairs of the walls of Jerusalem were going so well—that the breaks in the wall were being fixed—they were absolutely furious. They put their heads together and decided to fight against Jerusalem and create as much trouble as they could. We countered with prayer to our God and set a round-the-clock guard against them.

But soon word was going around in Judah, the builders are pooped, the rubbish piles up, we're in over our heads, we can't build this wall.

And all this time our enemies were saying, "They won't know what hit them. Before they know it we'll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the work!" The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, "They have us surrounded; they're going to attack!" If we heard it once, we heard it ten times.

So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work. From then on half of my young men worked while the other half stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the wall. The common laborers held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other. Each of the builders had a sword strapped to his side as he worked. I kept the trumpeter at my side to sound the alert.

Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: "There's a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us."

And so we kept working, from first light until the stars came out, half of us holding lances.

I also instructed the people, "Each person and his helper is to stay inside Jerusalem—guards by night and workmen by day."

We all slept in our clothes—I, my brothers, my workmen, and the guards backing me up. And each one kept his spear in his hand, even when getting water.

Nehemiah 4 (ESV)

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?" Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Yes, what they are building— if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!" Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall." And our enemies said, "They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work." At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, "You must return to us." So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "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 homes."

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, "Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day." So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.

Nehemiah 3....Not the Most Exciting of Chapters

Now, I'm sure we will all agree that Nehemiah 3 is not the most exciting of chapters. However, God put it in the bible, so I'm sure it's there for a reason.

I won't spend much time on Chapter 3, but here are the reason's that's I've found it's there....

(1) Nehemiah 3 is all about work. It's about how they pitched in together to get the work done.

(2) Nehemiah 3 is about leadership.

a. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he made each man accountable for his work. Each man had a section of wall he was responsible for, and it was known he was responsible for it. No one wanted it to be seen that they were a poor worker in God’s cause.

b. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he noted who did the work and who didn’t - the list demonstrates this.

c. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he organized the work for maximum efficiency. Everyone had their section, and the work was organized around the gates - the places most needful of the work.

d. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he knew where to start. He began with the spiritual aspect of the work (the high priest’s work is mentioned first), and by consecrating everything to God.

e. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he got both “high” and “low” to join together in doing the work. The leaders and the high priest worked together with the man who lived in a single room.

f. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he was willing to let people try new things - goldsmiths, priests, and perfumers all became construction workers.

g. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he made people focus on their own house first.

h. Nehemiah was an effective leader because he didn’t disqualify people because of a past of sin and compromise.

Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah 3 ESV

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.

Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district ofJerusalem, repaired. Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.

Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate.

Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress. After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and to the corner. Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.

Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.

More Interesting Historical Facts...

Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”

I. Spiritual opposition to the work God wants to accomplish is a reality many Christians fail to take account of, and are thus defeated in what God would what them to do.

II. The Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, took on humanity to experience spiritual warfare just like we do; He knows what it is to be under attack, how to break through to victory, and so He knows how to lead His people to victory.

III. Sanballat and Tobiah: These two first surfaced in Nehemiah 2:10; they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel. They had previously made their opinion known; now they will seek to do something about the progress Nehemiah is making.

a. Tobiah (a Jewish name) was a man of influence, being associated with the high priest's family, and getting help from the priests (Nehemiah 13:4). “Tobiah” was a prominent name in priestly families for generations to come. The name “Tobiah” means “Yahweh is good” - a strange name for a man who was an opponent of the work of God.

b. Sanballat was connected by marriage to priestly families (Nehemiah 13:28). An ancient document from this period refers to Sanballat as “governor of Samaria.”

These men were Jews - were fellow brothers - of Nehemiah and the citizens of Jerusalem. We might have thought they would have supported his work, but they do not. Opposition is always difficult; but when it comes from brothers, it is then mixed with the pain of betrayal as well.

c. The Bible makes it clear we have enemies and opponents also, but chiefly they are spiritual enemies: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against . . . spiritual armies of wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). However, we also realize that attacks from spiritual enemies can come through flesh-and-blood people (Matthew 16:23). We can experience spiritual attack on a direct inward level from spiritual enemies, or through people who are, wittingly or unwittingly, being used as tools by our spiritual enemies.

IV. They laughed us to scorn: Sanballat and Tobiah used scorn in their attack. They wanted Nehemiah to feel mocked, stupid, and foolish. They laughed us to scorn shows that they showed their spite (and despised us) with a humorous edge.

a. This scorn may come to us in an inward feeling (“Who am I trying to kid? I must be some kind of fool!”). Or it may come through the words of those who, if they know it or not, are being used by our spiritual enemies.

b. Many are turned away from God’s will because they experience or fear scorn. Men who were not afraid of death have been manipulated because they did not want to be laughed at. It seems that sooner or later, God will allow every Christian to be tested at this point; as to whom they regard more, man or God. We must never be more concerned about what people may say about us than what God requires of us.

V. Will you rebel against the king? This shows that Sanballat and Tobiah had a low view of God’s authority. Their question showed that they figured the king of Persia was the highest authority in the land.

a. First, they were completely ignorant. They didn’t know what they spoke about. The king had given permission, even if they didn’t know it. The king was partner in the work. Many times, those who are being used by our spiritual enemies against us simply don’t know what they are talking about.

b. Second, they were not concerned with God’s authority. Really, it did not matter if the King of Persia was against this work, if the God of heaven and earth was for it. One with God makes a majority. Nehemiah could have turned the question back on them: Will you rebel against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

Source: Enduring Word Commentary

Nehemiah Makes a Secret Out of Jerusalem and Her Walls

Nehemiah 2:11-16 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass. So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work.

a. So I came to Jerusalem: After being in Jerusalem three days, Nehemiah still did not tell anyone why he is there and what God has put on his heart: I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem.

When Nehemiah entered Jerusalem with a military escort and lumber from the king of Persia’s forest, people would notice him - but he didn’t say anything about his mission until the time was right. Good leaders learn a sense of God’s timing.

Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, full of heart, full of prayer, full of faith, full of wisdom, full of a big vision, full of support from the king, and finally gets to his destination - and he did nothing for three days.

I told no one: “It is good to have Christian friends, but it is dangerous to wear your heart on your sleeve. Have a secret place somewhere which nobody knows anything about but you and God.”

b. The walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire: Nehemiah knew the job of rebuilding the walls couldn’t go forth unless he saw exactly how bad the situation was.

Nehemiah could have focused on all that was right with Jerusalem. They were back in Judah and, the forced exile was over. The temple was built. Sacrifice and worship were conducted. Progress was being made, slow as it was. There was much to be thankful for in Jerusalem - but sometimes, one must look at what is wrong, and that is what Nehemiah did.

We deceive ourselves if we only look to what is good. Some have no trouble with this; they always find it easy to see what is wrong. They are full of criticism. They believe they have the unique spiritual gift of pointing out what is wrong. But Nehemiah teaches us by example - we must look at the broken down towers, and carefully study what is wrong - but only if we have the heart, the prayer, the vision, the passion to be used of God to set it right. .

c. The walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire: As much as anything, Nehemiah took time to count the cost before starting the work. He has a heart, he has faith, he has a vision - but before that vision can become a reality, he has to see exactly what has to be done, and what it will cost - in terms of time, effort, money, and leadership.

Oh My Goodness!

Nehemiah 2:9-10 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.

Then I went: This is an example of Nehemiah’s godly leadership. He actually went – he traveled the 800 miles from Persia to Jerusalem to do the work of rebuilding the walls and the people.

i. Many people have a heart touched like Nehemiah’s. They may also have the heart for prayer, the wisdom, the vision, the plan and the faith of a Nehemiah - but they stop short of actually going out and doing what needs to be done for the goal to become a reality.

ii. Sometimes we substitute talking about something for actually doing it. It is one think to stand around with other believers and talk about doing some evangelism; praying about it, planning it, talking about it - it is another thing to actually go out and do it. God is in the doing of the thing.

iii. Our spiritual enemies don’t mind as long as all we do is plan and pray and talk; but when God’s people start doing something, they take notice.

Oh My Goodness! I have another blog: Bought for a Price - I posted on that site first thing this morning before I had read any of Nehemiah or thought about that I would be posting on here today.

As only God can do, this post and that post are SOOOOOOO intertwined....and, at least for me, exactly whated I needed to hear this morning.

Blessings to you on this Sunday morning...

Beth

A Therapist's Dream...

Nehemiah 2:2-3 Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart." Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, "Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"

For those of you who don't know me personally, I am a Christian therapist. So, when I see people in the bible sharing their emotions so openly, I can't help but take pause and go into a little "depth" about it.

This is from an internet commentary. Enjoy...

The record of Nehemiah 2:2-3 helps us see Nehemiah’s emotions.

First, he had great sorrow when he heard of the troubles in Jerusalem. Now he had great fear before the king. Those who please God are not those who manage to avoid facing emotional fears and griefs, but those who conquer them to do God’s will despite the hardships.

We, clearly understand why Nehemiah was had sorrow (sadness), however, the account doesn't directly state why Nehemiah was fearful, but if we would put ourselves in his place we can see several reasons why we might be fearful.

He was about to make a great request of the greatest ruler on the face of the earth. One would not lightly enter such a request. There was the possibility that the king could become so angry he could punish Nehemiah. Or at the least he could deny the request and demand that Nehemiah stay in Shushan and not leave.

In any case, the possibilities were so important to Nehemiah that he feared for the result.

This commentary, also, says that it was improper for servants of the king to allow their personal lives to affect their service and demeanor before the king, but Nehemiah’s sorrow had become obvious.

Nehemiah makes his request of the king.Nehemiah responded first by expressing great respect for the king. He said, “Let the king live forever!” This is similar to the modern expression, “Long live the king!” This was a common expression for praising the king. It showed people valued the king and wanted his service as king to continue.

In alignment with those words, wisdom would teach us to speak respectfully to people in positions of power, especially when we have a great request to make of them. Nehemiah then explained that it was only reasonable for him to be troubled considering the problems in his homeland. The city where his fathers had lived and been buried now lay in waste and its gates consumed by fire. This was Nehemiah’s concern, so he used the opportunity to honestly speak to the king about it.

Alot of times, in working with clients (especially clients in the church), they have learned to deny or minimize their feelings, which they believe is a way of being more "faithful." I think Nehemiah, clearly, shows us in this chapter, that we are to be honest about our feelings AND be RESPECTFUL with them at the same time.

God created us with feelings for a reason. Denying them would be denying a part of God's creation in us.

Oh, I LOVE this.....

Nehemiah 2: 1 says...In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes...

Nehemiah 1:1 says...In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year...

I LOVE THIS! I could stop the study RIGHT HERE and it would have been worth it! (but I won't)

In 1:1...the month of Kislev is the November/December time frame.
In 2:1...the month of Nisan is the March/April time frame.

The math...+, -, *, / = 4 months

Yes, 4 MONTHS had gone by since Nehemiah had heard the news from his brother, Judah, and he had been in prayer the WHOLE time, BUT he still had not taken action. He waited until he felt confident about what God wanted him to say.

In the Beth Moore study I am doing, she says it like this:

"When we hear a call from God, we take it not as a call, but as an appointment. We react to it, as if something has to be done NOW. In reality, the call is God's call, and will be done in God's timing. It is our job to listen for the heart of God, pray for guidance, and WAIT...."

This is SUCH a great illustration for me. It's given me the opportunity to think about when I am in action mode, prayer mode, or preparing for prayer mode.

Are there places that you are taking action when you should be waiting? Are there places where you want your timing verses God's timing?

Please feel free to share and dialogue in the comments section.

Looking forward to it!

Nehemiah - Chapter 2

Nehemiah 2 (ESV)

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king.

Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart."

Then I was very much afraid.

I said to the king, "Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"

Then the king said to me, "What are you requesting?"

So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it."

And the king said to me with the queen sitting beside him, "How long will you be gone, and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.

And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me 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 of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy."

And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.

So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days.

Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.

Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.

Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me.

And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"

Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 2 (Message)

It was the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king. At the hour for serving wine I brought it in and gave it to the king. I had never been hangdog in his presence before, so he asked me, "Why the long face? You're not sick are you? Or are you depressed?"

That made me all the more agitated. I said, "Long live the king! And why shouldn't I be depressed when the city, the city where all my family is buried, is in ruins and the city gates have been reduced to cinders?"

The king then asked me, "So what do you want?"

Praying under my breath to the God-of-Heaven, I said, "If it please the king, and if the king thinks well of me, send me to Judah, to the city where my family is buried, so that I can rebuild it."

The king, with the queen sitting alongside him, said, "How long will your work take and when would you expect to return?"

I gave him a time, and the king gave his approval to send me.

Then I said, "If it please the king, provide me with letters to the governors across the Euphrates that authorize my travel through to Judah; and also an order to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, to supply me with timber for the beams of The Temple fortress, the wall of the city, and the house where I'll be living."

The generous hand of my God was with me in this and the king gave them to me. When I met the governors across The River (the Euphrates) I showed them the king's letters. The king even sent along a cavalry escort.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very upset, angry that anyone would come to look after the interests of the People of Israel.

And so I arrived in Jerusalem. After I had been there three days, I got up in the middle of the night, I and a few men who were with me. I hadn't told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with us was the one I was riding.

Under cover of night I went past the Valley Gate toward the Dragon's Fountain to the Dung Gate looking over the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken through and whose gates had been burned up. I then crossed to the Fountain Gate and headed for the King's Pool but there wasn't enough room for the donkey I was riding to get through. So I went up the valley in the dark continuing my inspection of the wall. I came back in through the Valley Gate. The local officials had no idea where I'd gone or what I was doing—I hadn't breathed a word to the Jews, priests, nobles, local officials, or anyone else who would be working on the job.

Then I gave them my report: "Face it: we're in a bad way here. Jerusalem is a wreck; its gates are burned up. Come—let's build the wall of Jerusalem and not live with this disgrace any longer." I told them how God was supporting me and how the king was backing me up.

They said, "We're with you. Let's get started." They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work.

When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they laughed at us, mocking, "Ha! What do you think you're doing? Do you think you can cross the king?"

I shot back, "The God-of-Heaven will make sure we succeed. We're his servants and we're going to work, rebuilding. You can keep your nose out of it. You get no say in this—Jerusalem's none of your business!"

A Little More History....

This info is from a Beth Moore study on Nehemiah. It gives a little more history that I found very interesting. She, also, shares her thoughts on how Nehemiah is relevant to us today.

Enjoy...

History:

The people of Israel consisted of 12 tribes. During Solomon's reign, they divided into the 10 Northern Tribes and the 2 Southern Tribes.

The 10 Northern Tribes maintained the name Israel.

The 2 Southern Tribes took the name Judah.

God told them early on, long before they went into the promised land "if you stick with me, I will fight every battle for you. However, if you fall to the temptation of worshipping and living like the pagans around you, I will take my hand off of you in warfare. You will fall to the enemy and end up in captivity.


The Northern tribes fell into captivity first (722 BC). They (Israel) were taken in Syrian Captivity. The problem was that they assimiliated into the Syrian culture, and became like the Syrians. They fell apart. They did not unite in their captivity.

When the southern Tribes (Judah) went into Babylonian captivy (586 BC), they did not do what Israel did. They remained intact. They stuck together.


In 539 BC, the power of Babylon was broken by the Persians. The Persian king believed it was appropriate for Judah to go back to their homeland. The first exiles that returned rebuilt the temple. The second exiles were freed 20 years later. When they went back, they realized the first exiles had taken on pagan practices. One reason they did it was because they had a temple but they had no wall.

The wall represents the protection from the enemy.


Without a wall, there was no way of keeping the people of God in a protected worshipful environment, so they were subject to defeat.

Nehemiah was living in a pagan kingdom (Persia) during the first two exiles, because he had not been released yet.

Relevance in our lives:


(1) We are living in a pagan kingdom; We have compromised and gotten gray and blurry.

John 17:14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them for they are not of the world anymore than I am. My prayer is tnot that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. Santify them by the truth. If we are going to be successful in a pagan world, we must be santified by God's word and to be a spiritual filled people.

(2) Although we have been libereated in Christ, all of us have experienced captivity in this pagan kingdom.

In alot of ways Satan has us captive. ex. Division in the church... legalism....

(3) We are never more vulnerable than when we just returned from captivity.


How have you been in exile? ex....death, divorce... trying to rebuild life after a catastrophe. feeling of real vulnerability...the aftermath of a crisis...life will never be the same, but how is it gonna be, and will we make it?

(4) We must remain unified in this pagan kingdom. If we are humble and repentant, God will do mighty things.

(5) Though we are called to work here, we must resist being at home here. How do we do that? We stay connected to our real home. If we get outside God's word, we will be able to look at our lives and see how we had begun to blend in with the pagan kingdom.

(6) We, too, are cupbearers, Matt 20:22-23 Can we sit at your right hand and your left hand? He said - are you ready to drink the cup that is for me. Christ drinks THE cup, but he calls upon us, his disciples, to dirnk FROM the cup. We sip the same cup when we live the same cup when we live the same life that Christ lived on this earath. . If you have been betrayed by someone, and you let Christ teach you in this suffering, you drink from the cup. We are the cupbearers of this generations, living in a pagan world.


We are wise to do a couple of things:

Grow more aquainted with God and his people through the study of His word.

1. his personality
2. his promises
3. his practices

Nehemiah knew what to ask because he already knew God well enough to know what to ask. God is a righteous judge.

Learn to take our time with God and pour out our hearts before we take action. "for some days I mourned, and fasted, and prayed"

In a time of crisis we can't think straight....Nehemiah mourned before God for days....then he came and prayed the prayers...checking into the scriptures

We can't always know the mind of God, but we can always know the heart of God. God's heart is for people. Wait before we begin to act. Put the petition before God. Where, in your word, can I find a prescedent for what's going on.

Grow in our prayer lives. Mourn to Him.

Those who knew God best - Nehemiah, Ezra, David - had reverence and boldness in prayer.

James 4:3 When we have a request that reflects the heart of God, even if He isn't going to give it to us, then we can go before him Boldly...God will honor that kind of heart.

We are human beings filled with the Holy Spirit of God; We are the Nehemiah's of this generation, who teaches people how to live in a pagan world, and how to be secured/santified in the love of God while they are still the light of the world.

We have the same God as Nehemiah. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

I know this is a brief summary and may not make a lot of sense. As we get further into Nehemiah, I will spend more time in the Beth Moore study, and hopefully, go into more detail to make things more clear.

I am heading to Florida tomorrow and won't be back until Monday. We will start Nehemiah, Chapter 2, then.

Looking forward to it...

Nehemiah 1 - Confidence In God's Promises

I do have several commentaries I'm reading, however, I really like this sermon series from the Pontiac Church. Don't worry. I will use more sources - yes, even in chapter 1. There's some really cool, Beth Moore, stuff coming up in a few days.

But for now, back to the Pontiac Church....

While Nehemiah spends time in confession, he doesn’t wallow in a prolonged introspective examination of his failures and those of his brothers and sisters. He owns what he did wrong and then he quickly expresses confidence in God’s promises in verses 8-10: “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my name.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and mighty hand.”

In this part of his prayer, Nehemiah recalls the words of Moses about the danger of Israel’s apostasy (if you're like me you don't know what this word means - just in case, I looked it up. It means abandonment of one's religion ) and the promise of divine mercy.

What was the promise Nehemiah was getting at? It was twofold.

First, if Israel disobeyed, they would be sent to a foreign land. That had been fulfilled. The second part was that when the captivity was over God would send them back to Jerusalem. They were still waiting for that to be fulfilled.

Nehemiah prayed, “Lord, the first part is true. We’ve disobeyed and we’re in captivity. But Lord, you’ve made a promise to bring us back home and protect us there – and that has not happened yet. I’m claiming your promise that you’ll make it happen.”

Someone has calculated that there are over 7,000 promises in the Bible. The better we know the Word of God, the better we’ll be able to pray with confidence in God’s promises.

1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Are you as confident of God’s promises as Nehemiah was? If God said it in His Word, you can believe it and claim it. Nehemiah knew God would keep His covenant of love with his people.

My prayer for each of us that we believe it and claim it!

Nehemiah 1 - Confession of Sin

After becoming concerned about the problem, and expressing his conviction about God’s character, Nehemiah is now moved to admit his sin and the sins of his people in verses 6-7: “Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees, and laws you gave your servant Moses.”

It’s one thing to be concerned and to even have a firm conviction of who God is. It’s another thing to actually confess. Many of us never get this far. We might feel bad about our sins or be concerned about how things are going. Our theology may even be correct. We know things are bad and that God is good but we hesitate at this next step.

Nehemiah boldly asks God to hear his prayer, which literally means, “to hear intelligently with great attention.” There are, at least, three key ingredients in Nehemiah's confession of sin.

There was intensity... Overwhelmed by concern about sin and in awe of God’s character, Nehemiah gave himself to prolonged petition and intercession. He prayed day and night, spending every moment of time in God’s presence.

There was honesty...Nehemiah made no attempt to excuse the Israelites for their sin and actually owned his part in their culpability. He surveyed the grim record of Israel’s past and present failure, and he knew that he was not exempt from blame. Notice that he prays, “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself…we have acted very wickedly…we have not obeyed…” It would have been easy for Nehemiah to look back and blame his ancestors but instead he looked within and blamed himself.

There was urgency... Nehemiah recognized that sin is not merely a stubborn refusal to obey certain rules, but is also a defiant act of aggressive personal rebellion against a holy God. He knows that they “have acted very wickedly.” He didn’t try to candy-coat his sin. He owned it and called it what it was.

Trying to hide our sins from God is impossible. He knows all about them. Numbers 32:23 reminds us that, “…you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” We need to recognize that all sin, those things we have blatantly done or carelessly committed, or those things that we have left undone, must be identified and then confessed.

It’s better to confess sin now than to wait until it exposes us.

Is there any sin that you are aware of that is being hidden today?

Nehemiah 1 - God's Character

After Nehemiah hears the news, he next expresses his understanding of God’s character in verse 5: “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands.”

Nehemiah called God “Lord.” He recognized the Lord as his master – in verse 6, he refers to himself as God’s servant. He then refers to His Lord as the “God of Heaven.” He acknowledged that his God was beyond the earthly realm and above all other gods. He next refers to Him as “great and awesome.” God deserves to be honored, revered and feared by all because of who He is. Finally, Nehemiah describes God as the one who “keeps His covenant of love.” God is truthful, faithful and can be trusted.

His boss, the king, was the greatest and mightiest on earth, but compared to God, Artaxerxes was nothing. Nehemiah was in Susa and his concern is in far off-Jerusalem, but both cities – one rich, the other poor, one strong the other weak, one proud, the other broken.

Because of his understanding of God’s character, Nehemiah knew that God was not only able, but also willing to respond to his prayer.

In biblical times, names were given to describe the person either by their occupation, personality, character and more. Names were like a label. God's name was first not spoken by the early biblical Hebrews in reverence to Him.

However, God has many names in the Bible that describe who He is and what His character is like, so that His people can know more about Him. Biblical characters, like Abraham, gave a name to God according to His character.

Studying these names of God gives us a better understanding of who God is. Discovering and understanding God's character helps us build a closer relationship with Him.

I have attached a link with the names of God. I hope this helps us all understand His character more deeply, as Nehemiah did. http://ldolphin.org/Names.html

Sources: e:how
Pontiac Bible Church

Nehemiah 1 - Prayer

Prayer is one of the overriding themes of the book and the secret to Nehemiah’s success. The prayer in chapter one is the first of 12 different prayers recorded in the book. It begins with prayer in Persia and closes with prayer in Jerusalem. His prayers are prayers of anguish, joy, protection, dependence and commitment.

Its a story of compassionate, persistent, personal and corporate prayer. Prayer gives Nehemiah perspective; it widens his horizons, sharpens his vision and dwarfs his anxieties.

Nehemiah’s public life was the outflow of his personal life, which was steeped in, and shaped by, a lifestyle of prayer. His devotion to God, his dependence on Him for everything, and his desire for the glory of God found equal expression. He knew that only ventures that are begun in prayer and bathed in prayer throughout are likely to be blessed.

The first place Nehemiah started was with a concern about the problem in verses 1-4.

CONCERN About the Problem. We know from verse 11 that Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king. His job was to taste the king’s wine before the king drank it to make sure it was not poisoned.

As cupbearer, Nehemiah had a great job. He had intimate access to royalty, political standing, and a place to live in the palace. It was a cushy job that provided everything he needed. And yet, when one of his brothers returned from a road trip to Jerusalem, verse 2 says that Nehemiah “questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah was greatly concerned about what was happening in Jerusalem. He could have insulated himself if he chose to, but he didn’t. He sought them out and wanted to hear the first-hand report.

This is an important starting point. It’s so easy for us to stay uninvolved and unaware. Some of us don’t want to even think about stuff that’s going on in our own lives, much less take the time to investigate what is happening in the lives of others. Even though Nehemiah had never been to Jerusalem, he had heard stories about it, and knew that his ancestors had been led away in chains when Babylon destroyed it. He was doing what Jeremiah 51:50 instructed the exiles to do: “…Remember the Lord in a distant land, and think on Jerusalem.”

As he thought on Jerusalem, he listened to the report in verse 3 that the survivors were in great trouble and disgrace, that the wall of Jerusalem was in shambles and that its gates had been burned with fire. As he tried to imagine the shame in the city of David, he could barely stand it.

Nehemiah was broken over the complacency of the people of Jerusalem. They were living in ruins and they accepted it. They were willing to walk around the devastation instead of being concerned enough to do something about their situation. Nothing is ever going to change in our lives, in the life of this church, or for that matter, our nation, until we become concerned about the problem.

Some of us have become complacent about the way our lives are going. We're living with rubble and it doesn’t even bother us any more. Are we ready to allow God to do some rebuilding? If so, we need to become concerned about the problem by listening to the facts – even if we don’t want to hear them.

When Nehemiah heard the report, he hit the ground and began to weep in verse 4. He also fasted. In the Old Testament, fasting was only required once a year, but here we see Nehemiah refraining from food for several days. In fact, we know from comparing the different dates in this book that he wept, fasted, and prayed for four months! These are all signs of humility and show his deep concern for the problem.

Do you need some rebuilding today? Are your defenses broken down such that you are allowing some practices and sins to control your life?

Before you can ask God to rebuild, you must first become concerned about the problem.

Please feel free to comment on any of the questions that you are comfortable sharing about. Obviously, any other comments are welcome as well.

Source: Pontiac Bible Church

History

In the history of Babylon, Exile was second in importance to the Exodus in Jewish history. The pens of the prophets were silenced in Babylon for 70 years as Israel repented and waited for deliverance.

As I was typing/reading Nehemiah 1, I, finally, just sat back and thought to myself...I'm starting to read in the "middle" of a story. It's like I opened up a book and began on page 65, not page 1, like most stories begin.

So, today, I want to share a little hitory of how we get to what we're reading in Nehemiah 1.

Deportations of Jews from Judah and Israel took place during several eras in ancient history. The Babylonian exile lasted from 586-538 BC. “Exile” means that they were forced to live outside of the Promised Land. Babylon had replaced Assyria as the reigning world power after defeating Egypt at the battle of Carchemish in 609 BC. They conquered Jerusalem in 586. (All dates are BC – Before Christ) This was the main exile of Israel when the Temple was flattened and Jerusalem was destroyed.

These deportations from the Promised Land actually began under the Assyrians as early as 733. These were deported to Ninevah. More deportations to Babylon occurred in 605, 597 and 582. Many of the Israelites had chosen to flee voluntarily and had settled in Syria, Egypt and Turkey. This was a very dark period in the history of Israel. There was no king and no temple.

Psalm 137

How Shall We Sing the LORD’s Song?

By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept,

when we remembered Zion.

On the willows there we hung up our lyres.

For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying,

"Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!

Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you,

if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites

the day of Jerusalem, how they said,

"Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!"

O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,

blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!

Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!

The Books of I and II Kings were written about the period leading up to the Babylonian exile to show the people how their plight was the result of Israel’s sin.

The Book of Daniel is the only record of Israel’s time in Babylon. While the first half of Daniel is considered historical it speaks only about Daniel and his experiences there. It is a theological work, not a history book. He had been a relative of King Zedekiah and was stationed in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar.

All that we have from the exile is what Daniel tells us about the King and what went on in the palace. Daniel rose quickly in rank while serving the King and eventually rose to a position where he oversaw the whole empire. Stories like Daniel in the Lion’s Den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (The three men who survived the furnace), were meant to inspire the Jews to remain true to their faith. Daniel and the three young men did and God protected them.

Jeremiah’s prophesy ends with the capture of Jerusalem and Lamentations is a description of a desolate Jerusalem after the armies of Babylon have plundered and destroyed it. There wasn’t any writing or prophecy during the exile.

In 539 Persia replaced Babylon as the new dominant empire. They did not believe in exile, but in resettlement. King Cyrus of Persia decreed that any Jews who wanted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple could do so. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah record the returns of exiles from Babylon to Israel.

The first return occurred in 538 under the leadership of Zerubbabel. Ezra gives the exact numbers of returnees as 42,360 Jews with 7,337 servants and 200 singers. They are listed by “clans” in Ezra 2. They also brought back horses, mules, camels, donkeys and gold and silver vessels. The temple is rebuilt under Zerubbabel. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah are writing during this period. Zerubbabel seems slow to rebuild and Haggai spurs him on.

Another return took place when Ezra went to Jerusalem with 1,754 males and some gold and silver. The other significant return spoken of in the Bible was Nehemiah. Nehemiah got an armed escort to bring him safely to Jerusalem. He was there to be the governor and to fortify the city.

While nothing was produced in the exile from the point of view of scripture, this was probably the SECOND most important event in Jewish history, after the Exodus.

The Israelite nation underwent some profound changes. Being separated from all signs and symbols of their God, they learned how much God meant to them. The dream and the promise of the continuing kingship of David’s descendents had been shattered.

The synagogue probably got its start during the exile.

The people of God realized that the exile was a punishment for past sins. Israel would become a kingdom of ecclesiastical rulers: Sadducees, Pharisees, High Priests and Scribes. There would NEVER be another Jewish king of Israel.

Sources:
Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 2000
William Neil’s One Volume Bible Commentary, Hodder & Stoughton, 1962

Disclaimer

First, let me say...I DO NOT KNOW much about the Bible. I haven't read it like I should (especially, the Old Testament), I have not studied it that much. The saving grace is that I KNOW that I DON'T KNOW MUCH!

That being said, I am committed to putting in the effort into sharing from different commentaries, websites, etc. to make this as educational/interesting as possible. With that being said, please feel free to correct me AT ANY TIME.

We're just all learning together.

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah 1 (ESV)

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah.

And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, "The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire."

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.

Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.'

They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah 1 (Message)

The memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.

It was the month of Kislev in the twentieth year. At the time I was in the palace complex at Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, had just arrived from Judah with some fellow Jews. I asked them about the conditions among the Jews there who had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.

They told me, "The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders."

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven.

I said, "God, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful to those who love him and obey his commands: Look at me, listen to me. Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I'm praying day and night in intercession for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel. And I'm including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you.

"We've treated you like dirt: We haven't done what you told us, haven't followed your commands, and haven't respected the decisions you gave to Moses your servant.

All the same, remember the warning you posted to your servant Moses: 'If you betray me, I'll scatter you to the four winds, but if you come back to me and do what I tell you, I'll gather up all these scattered peoples from wherever they ended up and put them back in the place I chose to mark with my Name.'

"Well, there they are—your servants, your people whom you so powerfully and impressively redeemed. O Master, listen to me, listen to your servant's prayer—and yes, to all your servants who delight in honoring you—and make me successful today so that I get what I want from the king."

I was cupbearer to the king.

What and Why?

God laid on my heart last year that I was to do a study on the book of Nehemiah. As usual, I started it, got distracted, and moved on.

Well, the thoughts are back. Thanks to a stranger named Alison, who's blog, The Matthew Project, can be seen at http://lifeisajourney-alison.blogspot.com/, I got the idea to do this bible study in blog land, so others can share.

So, here's how it will work. On Monday's, (except for this week, because I'm so excited) I will copy the scripture for the week into the blog. During the week, I will add insights that I have studied from various sources.

Scripture is in bold.
Commentary is in italics.

Make sure to read the comments, that's where we'll all share our thoughts.

Your "job" is to add any comments, insights, thoughts, etc. you have throughout the week.

If no one participates, I'll still accomplish my goal of studying Nehemiah.

If you do participate, I'll just get added wisdom!