Enter Nehemiah!

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Study

Ezra-Nehemiah

8

Enter Nehemiah! Introduction Our focus shifts in this study to the book of Nehemiah, a complete narrative in its own right, but one which is best studied in conjunction with the book of Ezra. In chapter 1, we meet Nehemiah himself, a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes (1vs11) and a man of deep devotion to the LORD. Hearing the news about conditions in Judah, Nehemiah is deeply moved and turns to God in prayer (1vs3,4). From the content of his prayer we learn that like Ezra, Nehemiah is a man committed to the Law of the LORD and a man zealous for the LORD’s honour. His prayer is shaped by the LORD’s revelation to Moses – particularly as found in Deuteronomy (Nehemiah 1vs8-9 cf Deuteronomy 30vs1-4). In the words of Nehemiah’s prayer, the reader is reminded of the LORD’s faithfulness, the reality of sin and judgement and the wonder of grace. Thus although it is a prayer that applies in the first instance to ancient Israel and the exile of the nation, it nevertheless teaches us about the LORD’s amazing grace in gathering those who are scattered under his judgement, a gathering which Jesus saw as the outworking of His death, resurrection and enthronement as King (Matthew 28vs16-20) At the end of this study you should be able to answer the following key question:  What does it mean for the LORD to be faithful?  How should people respond to the faithfulness of the LORD? Read Nehemiah 1vs1-11

Observe: 1. Nehemiah’s position in the court of Artaxerxes 2. Nehemiah’s concern for the wellbeing of the exiles and Jerusalem 3. Nehemiah’s grief at the news that Jersualem was still in ruins 4. The description of the LORD as great and awesome 5. The description of the LORD as a covenant keeping God 6. Nehemiah’s confession of Israel’s sin as rebellion 7. Nehemiah’s appeal for the LORD to ‘remember’ His covenant

?Think: 1. What was the state of the returnees at the time that Nehemiah made his enquiry? Why was this the case?

2. How did Nehemiah respond to the news about Jerusalem? Why did he respond in this way? (Hint: note the references to God’s name in 1vs9&11)

3. What do we learn about God from Nehemiah’s prayer?

4. What does Nehemiah’s prayer teach us about sin and how to deal with it?

5. How would you describe the LORD’s faithfulness from Nehemiah’s prayer?

! Understand / Apply 1. What answer can you give to our key questions?