Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Finding the Context:

Nehemiah probably wrote the book of Nehemiah although some of it may have been compiled from a different source. Most of it is written in the first person with some of it being in the third person (1:1; 8:10). Nehemiah was written to the people of Judah who had returned from exile. This book goes into detail about the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and lists a record of the men who returned from exile (3-7;11;12). Nehemiah was written to emphasize and reveal the renewed covenant that God had with His people. It was written to show the people that God was rebuilding the physical walls of Jerusalem and was rebuilding them spiritually as well (6:15,16; 8-9:4,38-10). Restoration is probably the biggest theme throughout the book of Nehemiah. You see a detailed account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem despite constant opposition (3-7:1). You also see the spiritual restoration of the people. Ezra is reading the law to them and the Levites are instructing them on how to keep it (8:1-8). They even celebrate the feast of shelters, which has not been done since the time of Joshua (8:17). You see them promising once again to follow the Lord (10:28-39). Towards the end of the book the people have again sinned by failing to give the Levites their provisions thereby resulting in the temple being neglected. Yet once Nehemiah corrects them, they again begin to follow the Lord (13:10-12).

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

God is a very good protector. You see Israel’s enemies trying several times to sabotage the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls (1:19; 4:1-3, 7-21; 6). Yet, over and over again, God faithfully protects the work that He wants done. You see Nehemiah praying to the Lord for help against these enemies (4:4,5; 6:14). In the end you see that even Nehemiah’s enemies realize that the work has been completed because the walls had been built with God’s help (6:15,16).

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

God has redeemed His people by restoring the city of Jerusalem for His people and by bringing them back into the place where they once worshiped Him. He has brought back His people as He promised and has begun restoring them so that the stage will be set for the coming of the Messiah (6:15,16; 9:7,8, 36-38).

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

Nehemiah was a reminder to me that I have to constantly be alert in areas where God is working in my life. The enemy will attack the things that God wants to build in my life and it is important to be aware that he is going to try to sabotage God’s desires for my life. Just as the workers carried swords with them as they worked (5:17,18), so it is important for me to constantly be armed and alert in my devotional life and in my walk with God. Yet, I can also safely rest in knowing that God is my Defender. He is the One who fights for me. I don’t ever have to fear what the enemy may try to do because God is so much stronger and He is able to defend the work that He wants accomplished in my life. 

2.     Point of Passion

Nehemiah is filled with insight for leaders on how to go about building the “city” that God has asked them to build. Restoring and building things for the Lord often require a lot of time and work. In this book you see Nehemiah face many challenges. The enemy attacks him with many different strategies. He mocks them (4:1-5), threatens them (5:11,12), tries to pretend to be his friend (6:1-3), and falsely accuses him (6-9). Yet, Nehemiah constantly perseveres and finishes the work in the end. It even says that when Nehemiah realized that the enemy was trying to intimidate and discourage him, he worked with even greater determination (6:9). Despite great opposition, God is faithful to protect and helps His people build what He wants built. You see that Nehemiah was very aware of this and chose to rely on the Lord to fight on their behalf (1:18, 20; 4:9,14,15,19; 6:14-16). In the end, even the enemy realized that the work was finished because God was the One helping to build the “city” (6:16). The same is true for us. God is the One that builds what He desires built in and through us. He is the One that protects us from the enemy and He is the One who should ultimately receive the credit for the finished building.