Nehemiah I. Introduction A. Nehemiah: a man of faith 1. Sad conditions for Israel 2. Nehemiah stands firm B. Description of building of wall, covenant faithfulness C. Let us consider the book II. Nehemiah: The Details A. Authorship 1. Book written by Nehemiah; mostly in first person 2. In ancient times, Ezra-Nehemiah considered one book B. Dating 1. Book covers Nehemiah's activities between 445-432 BCE 4. Composition not long after these events C. Audience 1. The audience represents the returned exiles in the Persian period 2. We can gain much also D. Purpose 1. To describe the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls 2. To set forth Nehemiah's actions 3. A plea for faithfulness and trust in God III. Nehemiah: The Story A. Main Sections 1. The Walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-6) 2. Renewal of covenant and Reform (Nehemiah 7-13) B. Nehemiah and the wall (Nehemiah 1-2) 1. Nehemiah in Susa; informed of the wall being broken down (Nehemiah 1:1-3) 2. Fast and prayer; confession of sin; desire to receive mercy; Nehemiah as king's cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:4-11) 3. King asks Nehemiah about his sadness; Nehemiah informs him, prays, granted ability to return to repair walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8) 4. Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem; displeasure of Sanballat and Tobiah; Nehemiah inspects situation; tells Israelites that it is time to build (Nehemiah 2:9-18) 5. Sanballat and Tobiah presume insurrection; Nehemiah trusts in God (Nehemiah 2:19-20) C. Rebuilding and Opposition (Nehemiah 3-4) 1. Builders, building of Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, Gate of Yeshanah, Valley Gate, Dung Gate, walls near said gates (Nehemiah 3:1-14) 2. Builders, building of Fountain Gate and its environs; priests rebuild Horse Gate region (Nehemiah 3:15-32) 3. Sanballat and Tobiah mock the Jews; Nehemiah's imprecatory prayer (Nehemiah 4:1-5) 4. Wall half its height; Sanballat threatens war; Nehemiah stations people for battle (Nehemiah 4:6-14) 5. When plans made known, Sanballat withdraws; half of people worked on wall, other half carried spears; work continues day and night (Nehemiah 4:15-23) D. Ending Oppression, Showing Generosity (Nehemiah 5) 1. People cry out: taxation is high, famine in land, richer Jews enslaving poorer Jews (Nehemiah 5:1-5) 2. Nehemiah confronts officials and nobles regarding their usury; they agree to give up possession of fields, etc., without charge (Nehemiah 5:6-13) 3. Nehemiah as governor in Judah, did not eat food allowance, did not oppress people (Nehemiah 5:14-19) E. Conspiracy and Completion (Nehemiah 6:1-7:4) 1. Sanballat and Tobiah seek to meet with Nehemiah to kill him; he refuses four times (Nehemiah 6:1-4) 2. At fifth time, Sanballat sends accusation of intent to rebel; Nehemiah stands firm against the claim (Nehemiah 6:5-9) 3. Nehemiah advised to seek shelter in Temple on account of them, but such really is conspiracy against him; he refuses, keeps working; some prophets seek to make him afraid (Nehemiah 6:10-14) 4. Wall completed; fear of nations; Tobiah as connected to nobles of Judah by marriage, attempts to discourage Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:15-19) 5. Appointment of proper officials; Nehemiah gives Hanani and Hananiah charge over Jerusalem and its gates; few houses in city (Nehemiah 7:1-4) F. Genealogy of Returned Exiles; servants in Temple; some unable to demonstrate membership in Israel, told to wait until priest with Urim and Thummim would arise; numbers and gifts (Nehemiah 7:5-73) G. The Law Read (Nehemiah 8) 1. People gather; Ezra brings book of Law, reads it with understanding (Nehemiah 8:1-8) 2. People grieved, yet told to be encouraged and rejoice (Nehemiah 8:9-12) 3. Feast of Booths celebrated (Nehemiah 8:13-18) H. Confession, Renewal of Covenant (Nehemiah 9-10) 1. Confession of sin before God (Nehemiah 9:1-5) 2. History of God and Israel: creation, Egypt, exodus, conquest, kings; unfaithfulness of Israel; confession of wrongdoings and difficulties (Nehemiah 9:6-37) 3. Covenant sealed (Nehemiah 9:38) 4. People who sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:1-27) 5. Obligations in covenant: observance of Law, Temple tax, wood, firstfruits, other offerings, maintenance of Temple (Nehemiah 10:28-39) I. Persons (Nehemiah 11-12) 1. People in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1-23) 2. Villages where Jews lived (Nehemiah 11:24-36) 3. Priests and Levites who came in days of Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:1-11) 4. Later priests and Levites (Nehemiah 12:12-26) 5. Wall dedicated (Nehemiah 12:27-30) 6. Choirs giving thanks, those involved in them (Nehemiah 12:31-43) 7. Men appointed over various Temple tasks, singers and gatekeepers (Nehemiah 12:44-47) J. Final Reforms (Nehemiah 13) 1. Ammonites and Moabites not to enter Temple, based in the Law; separation of foreigners from Israelites (Nehemiah 13:1-3) 2. Tobiah as having chamber in Temple; Levites not receiving their due; work on the Sabbath; Jews intermarrying with foreigners; Nehemiah works to correct all of these abuses and difficulties (Nehemiah 13:4-31) IV. Nehemiah: Important Passages A. Nehemiah 2:1-4 1. Nehemiah tells king of difficulty 2. He prays in middle of discussion! B. Nehemiah 8:8 1. Law read before the people 2. Not just read, but also interpreted for sense C. Nehemiah 13:24 1. Language of Ashdod 2. Idea of speaking a foreign language, not knowing Hebrew/Aramaic V. Conclusion A. Nehemiah: a man of faith and courage 1. Stood up to enemies of God 2. Encouraged Israel despite dark days 3. Stood firm for God's laws B. Jerusalem and Jews benefit from his leadership C. Let us stand firm for God like Nehemiah! D. Invitation/songbook