Nehemiah 1

1Nehemiah’s life is an example of leadership and organization. Giving upa comfortable and wealthy position in Persia, he returned to’ the fracturedhomeland of his ancestors and rallied the people to rebuild Jerusalem's wall.In the face of opposition, he used wise defense measures to care for the peopleand to keep the project moving. To accomplish more for the sake of God’sKingdom, we must pray, persevere, and sacrifice, as did Nehemiah.After the wall was rebuilt, Ezra read the law to the people, bringing aboutnational repentance. Nehemiah and Ezra were very different people, yet Godused them both to lead the nation. Remember, there is a place for you inGod’s work even if you're different from most other people. God uses eachperson in a unique way to accomplish his purposes.EXPLANATIONAlthough the Jews completed the Temple in 515 B.C.,the city walls remained in shambles for the next 70years. These walls represented power, protection,and beauty to the city of Jerusalem. They were alsodesperately needed to protect the Temple from attackand to ensure the continuity of worship. God put thedesire to rebuild the walls in Nehemiah’s heart, givinghim a vision for the work.Both Nehemiah and Ezra responded to problems withprayer. When Nehemiah began his work, he recog-nized the problem, immediately prayed, and thenacted on the problem.Nehemiah demonstrated excellent leadership. He wasspiritually ready to heed God's cail. He used carefulplanning, teamwork, problem solving, and courage toget the work done. Although he had tremendousfaith, he never avoided the extra work necessary forgood leadership.After the work began, Nehemiah faced scorn, slander,and threats from enemies, as well as fear, conflict,and discouragement from his own workers. Althoughthese problems were difficult, they did not stopNehemiah from finishing the work.Although God had enabled them to build the wall, thework wasn’t complete until the people rebuilt theirlives spiritually. Ezra instructed the people in God'sWord. As they listened, they recognized the sin intheir lives, admitted it, and took steps to remove it.IMPORTANCEDoes God have a vision for us? Are there “walls”that need to be built today? God still wants hispeople to be united and trained to do his work. Aswe recognize deep needs in our world, God can giveus the vision and desire to “build.” With that vision,we can mobilize others to pray and put together aplan of action.Prayer is still God’s mighty force in solving problemstoday. Prayer and action go hand in hand. Throughprayer, God guides our preparation, teamwork, anddiligent efforts to carry out his will.Being God's leader is not just gaining recognition,holding a position, or being the boss. It requiresplanning, hard work, courage, and perseverance.Positive expectations are never a substitute for doingthe difficult work. And in order to lead others, youneed to listen for God’s direction in your own life.When difficulties come, there is a tendency forconflict and discouragement to set in. We mustrecognize that there are no triumphs withouttroubles. When problems arise, we must face themsquarely and press on to complete God’s work.Recognizing and admitting sin are not enough;revival must resutt in reform, or it is merely theexpression of enthusiasm. God does not wanthalthearted measures. We must not only remove sinfrom our lives but also ask God to move into the.center of all we do.

A. REBUILDING THE WALL (1:1—7:73)

Despite the fact that the returned exiles had been in Jerusalem for many years, the walls of the city remained unrepaired, leaving its people defenseless and vulnerable. Upon hearing this news, Nehemiah seeks permission from the Persian king to go to Jerusalem. Arriving in Jerusalem, he mobilizes the people to begin rebuilding the wall. Faced with opposition, both from without and from within, Nehemiah perseveres until the project is complete and the city resettled. Seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished when God is helping those wito honor him and when their efforts are united.

1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem

These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem; Inlate autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign,* I was at the fortress of Susa. 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men

Occasion

After receivingthe bad newsabout the stateof Jerusalem’swallsDuring hisconversation withthe kingAfter beingtaunted andridiculed byTobiah andSanbaliatAfter threatsof attack byenemiesRespondingto threatsReflecting on theactions of hisenemiesReftecting on hisown efforts toserve God

4when Iheard this, Isat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5Then I said, 6O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. 8“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, Iwill scatter you among the nations. 9But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’ 10“The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 110 LORD, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me.* Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king's cup-bearer.