Nehemiah 4
Sanballat and Tobiah were enemies of the Jews and actively opposed the work of rebuilding the wall. They ridicule and mock the work being done 1-3. Note: Is this not like the Devil and those who are unbelievers. They mock at God, His people and the work to which God has called them to do. Nehemiah's response is to pray, asking the Lord to judge 4-5. The work continues despite the anger and opposition of others 6-8. They again turn to the Lord in prayer 9. They people are overwhelmed and fear attacks 10-12. Nehemiah responds with the stationing of guards around the clock and the reminder that the Lord was with them 13-15. The people work with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other 16-18. Note: Believers of all ages are in the same spiritual battle. God had provided the weapons of our warfare which are spiritual and mighty through Christ (namely the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:10-18). Nehemiah encourages the nobles with the reality that God would fight for them 20b. They continued the work and were vigilant concerning threats from their enemies 21-23. Note: Believers are to always be on guard against the chief enemy of our souls (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Nehemiah 5
The poor and those in need were being taken advantage of by their fellow Jews. They were in a time of economic woe and had heavy taxes and debts that amounted to them being enslaved 1-5. Nehemiah is angered by this and calls the nobles and officials to account by commanding them to stop the exploitation of their fellow Jews 6-8. He shows them how this was not right before God and tells them to give back all they had acquired 9-11. They agree 12. He then puts them and himself under oath before God not to take advantage of the situation 13. Nehemiah becomes governor 14. He does not use this position to provide for himself or to make himself wealthy. In fact, he does the opposite and provides for the leadership with out making demands on the people 14b-18. He does not act like others in this matter out of reverence for the Lord 15b. Note: Do you and I distinguish ourselves by not doing what everyone does, out of our reverence for the Lord. Consider Nehemiah's faith in the Lord to provide for the needs of all these people without extracting what is needed from the people 17-18. What exactly is the meaning of Nehemiah's prayer in 19 ? I do not see it as a boast, but he does appeal to his righteous acts before the Lord, that HE would take note ?

Nehemiah 6
The schemes and plots of enemies continue through letters meant to intimidate Nehemiah and to discourage the people 1-7. Nehemiah reply to the charges with a simple declaration of the truth 8-9. He also looks to the Lord in prayer for strength 9b. Note: When we are accused of wrong doing by the unbelieving world, we need not shout, nor attack in return, but simply speak the truth in love with dependence upon the Lord (see: Ephesians 4:24, 1 Peter 2:15). Shemaiah is hired to discredit Nehemiah by getting him to act and sin against the Lord 10-13. Nehemiah shows discernment and 'sees through' the plots 12. Note: If the devil can get a believer to sin, he or she, in turn, looses creditability with others. Nehemiah again responds with prayer 14. It appears many were part of this plot to intimidate 14b. Note: Why are we as believers so easily intimidated when we have the Lord, Almighty with us ? The wall is completed in 52 days, because of the help of God 15-16. Note: Great tasks can be realized as God works through His people. Sometimes is happens quickly, other times His project is completed over a life time. God works of salvation, including His conforming us to the likeness of Jesus Christ, will be completed to the praise of the glory of His grace (Philippians 1:6). Tobiah's relationship to some of the nobles (by business and a marriage) provided him an insider information on the activities and plans of Nehemiah 17-19. This helped Tobiah to intimidate Nehemiah 19b. Note: One wonders why anyone (of us) would have an allegiance to an enemy who seeks our destruction. Sin and our evil hearts can really get us twisted up.

Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah appoints his brother Hanai to be in charge of Jerusalem 1-2. Hananiah, commander of the citadel would also help in this task since he was a man of integrity and God fearing 2. The gates were to be opened only in broad day light 3. This was for added security. Note: Character does matter for those who would be leaders and wisdom is needed in administering a city and providing protection. Both require humble dependence upon the Lord. The city was large and their were few people living in it 4-5. Note: God's heavenly city the New Jerusalem is very spacious and has room for many, including you and all you know. Entrance into that city is based on one's relationship to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Revelation 22:12-16). If you believe in Him and are saved, you will be part of His city forever (Revelation 21). Nehemiah reviews the records of all those exiles who returned 6-69. This information is identical to what is recorded in Ezra 2:1-70. About 50,000 returned with Zerubbabel 7. The items given as an offering are also listed in 70-73.

Nehemiah 8
The people gather and Ezra the priest and scribe reads from the Law of the Lord in the hearing of all the people 1-5. The Levites explain the Law of God to the people 7-8. Note: This is an example of 'expository preaching' (reading God's word and explaining it from the text, in order, to the people). The response of the people was weeping and mourning 9. No doubt because they begun to realize the greatness of the Lord and greatness of their sins. Nehemiah reminds them that 'the joy of the Lord is their strength' 10. The people celebrate and eat, because now they understood the Law of the Lord 10-12. Note: It is like returning to health after having been sick. You are able to eat and feel better and gain strength. The people were spiritually sick in their sins and God was beginning the healing process. When Ezra found in God's Law the command to keep the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) 13-14, he commanded the people to observe this 15. They did as in the days of Joshua with great joy 16-18. Note: This feast was a remembrance and celebration of the Lord, who provided for His people during the days in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 16:13-15). Each day Ezra read from the Law of God and explained it to the people 18. The purpose was to instruct the people in the ways of the Lord that they might obey Him. Note: In this context we are given various expressions of worship: public reading of God's Word 5, verbal praise of the Lord 6, lifting up of one's hands to the Lord 6, saying 'Amen' (meaning 'it is so' or 'truth') 6, bowing down with one's face to the ground 6, listening to the teaching of God's Word 7b-8,18,  along with responses of weeping 9, and joy 10,12,17b and obedience 16-17. In which of these ways do you need to grow in expressing worship to the Lord ?

Nehemiah 9
With fasting, sackcloth, and mourning the Israelites come before the Lord with repentance and confession of all their sins 1-2. They spend a quarter of the day (4 hours ?) in confession and worship after having spent a quarter of the day listening to God's Word being read 3. Note: Do you or I spend this much time focused on the Lord ? Too often I am focused on all that I need to set done. How often, in worship, does one look at his watch ? For the Lord to do a deep work in our lives we must allow time for Him to work ! The Levites, on behalf of the people offer a prayer of confession, which rehearses their history of sin and failure as God's people 5-31. They also, repeatedly confess the faithfulness of the Lord 17,27,31,33, in not abandoning them one and for all. They also pray and confess their own sins and the current oppression they face as a result 32-37. They are slaves and servants to foreign kings 36-37. An outgrowth of this prayer is to make a new commitment (agreement) to seek and to serve the Lord  38. This is elaborated in chapter 10. Note: One of the results of true repentance and confession of sin before the Lord is a change of action and attitude towards the Lord and his Word. Instead of resisting and rebellion, there is submission, yieldness, and obedience. In what ways may you or I need to repent before the Lord ? May we be broken over our sins !