Bible Study 101
Lesson # 17 - Nehemiah
Name.
The name of the book Nehemiah obviously comes from its main character
Nehemiah. Nehemiah and Ezra are a single book in the Hebrew bible. The name
Nehemiah means Consoled by YAHWEH.
Author.
The book of Nehemiah was written by Nehemiah. Nehemiah, was the cupbearer
to King Artaxerxes. This position was an important one, as it assured that whatever the
king drank was not poisoned. It was also a position of influence due to the fact that this
trusted servant often became a close advisor. Not much is known about him, except that
his father’s name was Hacaliah (1:1) and had a brother named was Hanani (1:2).
Date.
The book of Nehemiah can be dated to somewhere between 445 B.C. to 425 B.C.
this dating is based upon the events that occur in the book as well as a few named events
that Nehemiah mentions in the book.
Purpose.
The book of Nehemiah along with the book of Ezra were written to record the
return to Jerusalem from the Babylonian Exile by the remnant of the nation of Judah.
This book specifically deals with the rebuilding of the city walls. In Nehemiah we see
a great example of what God can do when people are committed and obedient.
Outline.
1. The Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem. (Ch. 1 – 7)
A. Nehemiah’s Commission and Return.
(Ch. 1 – 2)
In chapter 1 we read Nehemiah’s prayer. He is a man who is broken hearted
at the shape of Jerusalem. The walls are broken down and the gates are in ruin.
Nehemiah though remembers the words of God, and his promise, his covenant with the
people.
In chapter 2 we see Nehemiah put his plan into action as he approaches the king
and seeks permission to rebuild the walls of the city. King Artaxerxes agree’s to
Nehemiah’s request and sends him to Jerusalem along with letters to those in power that
Nehemiah will have to deal with. Nehemiah is actually made Govenor of Jerusalem as
the King gives his this authority. At the end of chapter 2 Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem
and begins to survey the work that is needed.
Lesson # 17 - Nehemiah
B. Building Begins. (Ch. 3)
Nehemiah does not wait long, because as we get to chapter three we see the
work is already beginning. Chapter 3 records the work as it begins and the repair to the
gates around the city.
C. Threats to the Work. (Ch. 4 – 6:14)
Chapter 4 tells us about the nations that surrounded Jerusalem that were
afraid of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. While they did not attack outwardly, they did
spend a lot of time trying to scare the people out of rebuilding the city.
Chapter 5 Details the fact that not only was there great oppression from the
outside but there was also problems going on inside the city as the people found
themselves dealing with quarrels among each other. But Nehemiah called the leaders
together and dealt with the problems that were coming along.
Chapter 6 shows us a conspiracy that focuses on Nehemiah. The rulers of the
surrounding nations try to plant the idea that Nehemiah plans to become King of
Jerusalem.
D. The Work is Completed. (Ch. 6:15- 7:3)
As we arrive at the end of Chapter 6 we see that the work on the walls has
been completed. Nehemiah has succeeded in his work. In all the bible says that work
took only fifty two days to complete.
E. The List of Exiles. (7:3 – 7:73)
In this next portion of chapter 7 we are given a list of the families that had
returned from exile and now live in the city of Jerusalem.
2. The Renewal of the Covenant. (Ch. 7:73 – 10:39)
A. Ezra reads the Law. (Ch. 7:74 – 8:12)
As we begin chapter 8 we begin the process of reforming the people of Judah.
(Remember we are still dealing with primarily the southern kingdom and the tribes of
Judah and Benjamin.) This reformation all begins as Ezra reads the law to the people.
B. Renewal of the Feast of Tabernacles.
(Ch. 8:13 – 18) The Feast of Tabernacles is thought of in the same way as Pentecost
and the Passover. With the renewal of this feast the people were beginning the process
of returning to the Lord in proper worship.
C. The Prayer of Confession. (Ch. 9 )
Chapter 9 records a prayer meeting of epic proportions, one that lasted many,
many hours. In this prayer we see the acknowledgment of the faithfulness of God , but
most importantly we see the confession of the sin of the nation.
Lesson # 17 - Nehemiah
D. Sealing the Covenant. (Ch. 10)
Nehemiah leads the people in renewing their commitment to God. He is the
first to place his seal upon the covenant. In this covenant the people have bound
themselves to remain separate as a nation and to obey the commands and ordinances
of God.
3. The Renewal of the city. (Ch. 11 – 12)
A. Resettlement of the population (Ch. 11)
In chapter 11 we have finished the census and we have read the law and the
people are hopefully returning to following the Lord, and now we have to deal with who
is going to live in the city. The city has been in ruins but now with the walls rebuilt it
seems empty. It is decided that they will cast lots and one out of every 10 people will
come to live in Jerusalem. The city is to be filled with a cross section of the people of
Judah.
B. Lists of Priests and Levites. (Ch. 12)
Chapter 12 shows us that some of the tribe of Levi had also returned to
Jerusalem. This chapter gives us the lists of those families and the leaders and priests
among them. Remember that only someone from the tribe of Levi could become a
priest.
C. Dedication of the Wall. (Ch. 12:27 – 47)
In the last part of chapter 12 we see the great celebration that accompanied
the dedication of the rebuilt walls of the city. Two great processions went in opposite
directions marching around the city walls until they met at the temple and then
sacrifices were made a the people rejoiced because of the return of this great city.
4. The Return of Nehemiah. (Ch. 13)
A. Conditions during Nehemiah’s absence.
Verse 6 tells us that Nehemiah had returned to his Job as Cup Bearer to the
king, but after a time, (and we really don’t know how long a time this is) he returned to
Jerusalem. Nehemiah discovers that during his absence many things have gone wrong.
Tobiah one of Nehemiah’s opponent in rebuilding the wall has been given a room in the
temple complex, a place where he was not even allowed to be as an Ammonite.
Eliashib the priest had married Tobiah’s Daughter and he was using the priest to disrupt
things. During Nehemiah’s absence the Sabbath had been desecrated, the people had
begun to intermarry and the tithe had been improperly handled.
B. Nehemiah’s reforms.
Nehemiah throws Tobiah and all of his things out of the temple and returns
the room to it’s proper use. Nehemiah gathers the Levite’s and priests and reinstates
Lesson # 17 - Nehemiah
the tithe. Nehemiah calls the people back to the proper observance of the Sabbath.
Nehemiah also dealt with the people because of their intermarriage with foreigners. In
all of this Nehemiah is bringing the people back to the covenant that they had all signed
back in chapter 10.
C. Summarizing Nehemiah’s Work.
Finally at the end of the chapter we are given a few short verses that sum up
the work of Nehemiah. He has purified the people from improper practices, and
restored the regular proper worship of God. And he ends the book with a short prayer
for God to remember him for all that he has done in the name of the Lord.
Key Themes.
1. Rebuilding the walls and gates – God used Nehemiah to lead the project
2. Opposition to God's plan defeated – The enemy never stops plotting
3. Prayer - Nehemiah responded to problems with prayer
4. Leadership - Nehemiah demonstrated excellent leadership
5. Repentance - Even though God had enabled His people to build the wall, the project
was not completed until the people rebuilt their lives first in a spiritual way.
Life Lessons:
1. Take pride in things that are special & meaningful to you. (Nehemiah and the wall).
2. God develops good, godly leaders as the need in His Kingdom arises.
3. God can help us do impossible things when He is working in our midst. (wall
completed in 52 days).
4. God often uses many different people to accomplish His work. (many "wall"
workers).
5. God uses ordinary people to do great things in His Kingdom.