Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah, who was cup bearer to the king 10b, inquires about his
fellow Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from exile 1-2. The
report was bad in that they were in trouble and disgraced by their
enemies and the wall being broken 3. His first response was to
mourn, fast, and pray 4. Note: What did he pray before the record
of his prayer in 4-10, because the verse reads then...I said
5a ? Did he pray about what he should pray about ? If so, this
would indicate a deep desire to have his heart right before God
with what he would pray about and ask for. He first pleads for a
hearing before God 5b-6, he confesses his own personal guilt and
sin against the Lord 6, he acknowledges the severity and offense of
their sins 7 and affirms the Lord as right in bringing His judgment
upon them 8. Repentance and a return to the Lord would be honored
by Him. That was God's promise 8-9. He has redeemed His people by
His own power 10 and a remnant are seeking him 10a. Nehemiah asks
for the Lord to grant him success with what he had in his mind and
heart to do 10b. He used his position to petition the king with the
need of his people in Jerusalem. The next chapter records how this
unfolded. Note: There is much to learn about prayer and our own
heart before the Lord as we approach Him in prayer in this account.
May each of our hearts be pure as we come before Him in prayer (as
sweet incense and sacrifices offered before the Lord - Psalm
141:2)
Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah appeared sad in the presence of the king which promoted
him to inquire the reason. Nehemiah told him of his sadness over
his homeland's ruin 1-3. Because the hand of the Lord was upon
Nehemiah, the king granted him all that he needed to return to
Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and gates that had been in ruins
4-8. Note: Nehemiah prayed before the events that happened with the
king (1:10) and then in the midst of being asked what he wanted,
right at that very moment 4. Here is a perfect example of being
instant in prayer (Romans 12:12 kjv), ready and able to pray at any
given moment. This indicated his total dependence upon the Lord in
these matters. With God's help he arrives safely at Jerusalem. Some
who hear of this are not happy but disturbed by it 10. Nehemiah
inspects the wall 11-16
After surveying the damage he calls the Jews to the task of
rebuilding 17. They agree and are ready to go to work, because God
was with him 18. Note: This is called a 'good work' 18b. Good works
take many forms, here is one of them. The foreigners do not like
the Jews rebuilding and claim it is a rebellion against the king
19. Nehemiah boldly declares that they have not part or claim to
this land 20. That is because the Lord had given it to the Jewish
people as an eternal possession, regardless of who may occupy it.
Note: Geshem was an Arab and he has no claim to the land 19. They
would have success because God was with them 20a. Note: Even to
this day the Jews are in their God-given land, but are still in a
state of unbelief. When Christ returns (to Jerusalem - Zechariah
14:1-9), then the Jews will receive Him as their Messiah, Saviour,
and King (Zechariah 12:10-14). God Almighty will do this !
Nehemiah 3
This chapter records all those who took part in the rebuilding and
repairing project. There was a great cross-section of people with
different backgrounds and trades from priests 1,22, to
goldsmiths 8,31,32, perfume-makers 8, rulers 9,12, Levites 17, to a
guard 29, to a sixth son of Zalaph (was he the youngest ?)
30. Each did a section. Where they left off another picked up and
continued. Some did more than one 5,27. Some enlisted the help of
their daughters 12. Some did more than was needed 15 and others did
the work with great zeal 20. And their were some who refused also
5. This illustrates that the work of God is accomplished through
many and various types of people. All are needed, all are useful,
and all can do something. The same is true of God's work in and
through the local church. What is your part in building the kingdom
of God ?