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Overview of the book of Nehemiah…
Fortifying the City… (3 things)
- 1st – A sad state… 1:1-11
- 1st – Bad news from Jerusalem… vs. 1-3
- Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah (Yahweh enlightens) – was in the city of Shushan…
- We do not know much about the background of Nehemiah (Yahweh Comforts)…
- It is possible that he was from a priestly heritage (Levite) – II Maccabees 1:18
- But more likely he was from a royal lineage (Judah) – because of his position…
- He was a cupbearer to the King of Persia – serving in the winter palace of Shushan…
- The role of the cupbearer was an important position – food tester to protect the King!
- In the month of Kislev (November/ December) – Nehemiah was walking around the city…
- According to the historian Josephus – he overheard some men talking in Hebrew…
- When he found out they had just returned from Jerusalem – has asked about the city…
- Hanai (Grace) gave the bad new– the walls were still broken down / gates burned…
- It had been over 90 years since Zerubbabel first returned – but the city was still in ruins!
- When you get a cut – it does not heal in a matter of minutes – or even hours…
- And the more devastating the injury – the longer the recovery time!
- When God restores a life that has been ruined by sin – it does not happen over night…
- One of the hardest things to do as a believer – is be patient – wait on the Lord…
- God is not done yet – and it takes time for Him to heal a devastated life!
- Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah (Yahweh enlightens) – was in the city of Shushan…
- 2nd – The prayer of Nehemiah… vs. 4-11
- Nehemiah sat down and wept – for 4 months (Kislev – Nisan) fasted and prayed to God… vs. 4
- He knew there was a problem – but he had no idea of what the answer was…
- So he went to the one who had all the answers – till he was given a solution!
- I fear far too often we give up in prayer too quickly…
- God says that we are to ask / seek / and knock – Luke 11:9 – and so we do once…
- But we are not to just go to Jesus once – we are to be constantly seeking Him…
- I imagine we will be amazed at how much God wanted to do in our lives…
- But it never happened simply because we gave up too quickly!
- Nehemiah prayed to the Great and Awesome God of heaven… vs. 5
- God did not need to be reminded that He was great – but Nehemiah did…
- It gave him perspective – the city of Jerusalem in ruins / seemed an impossible problem…
- It was good to remember our God is awesome – and with Him – nothing is impossible!
- Sometimes it can be very hard for us to look beyond our ‘impossible’ problems…
- We do not know what will happen next – and we can be overcome with doubt and fear…
- But when we come to the Lord – it changes our perspective…
- We no longer see our problems – instead our God who is greater than any problem!
- II Corinthians 4:18 – “Do not look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
- Nehemiah prayed for forgiveness… vs. 6-7
- First he confessed his own sin – and the sins of his whole household…
- Then asked for forgiveness for Israel – they had not kept the commands of God (Law)…
- Because he understood that until they confessed – God would not see their plight…
- Until they were forgiven – there was no way for God to hear their prayers!
- It is sin that keeps the Lord from hearing us – leaves prayers unanswered…
- Our prayers hit the ceiling of our sin – and we end up talking to ourselves!
- Isaiah 1:15 – “Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear.”
- Nehemiah looked to the Word of God… 8-10
- Because if you want to know what to do – go to the book with all the answers!
- Deuteronomy 30:1-8 – If Israel returned to the Lord – God would bring them back!
- I remember praying about going on a missions trip when I was younger…
- I asked the two Godliest men I knew for advice – my pastor and my father…
- My pastor told me he had prayed – and the Lord told him I was not to go…
- My father told me he had prayed – and the Lord told him I was to go!
- People want to help – but more often than not it is just their opinion’…
- We do not need the opinions of men – we need the Word of God!
- Nehemiah prayed to be used… vs. 11
- He prayed God would grant him mercy before King Artaxerxes – whom he served…
- It was no accident he was the cupbearer – he had unprecedented access to the king…
- And as Nehemiah prayed – he realized God wanted to use him!
- I am often amused when people pray for something – expecting God to send someone else…
- If the Lord is putting something on your heart to pray for – there is probably a reason…
- He may well be preparing you because He wants to use you!
- Nehemiah sat down and wept – for 4 months (Kislev – Nisan) fasted and prayed to God… vs. 4
- 1st – Bad news from Jerusalem… vs. 1-3
- 2nd – Fixing the problem… 2:1-20
- 1st – Asking for help … vs. 1-8
- In the 20th year of Artaxerxes – in the month of Nisan – Nehemiah stood before the King…
- He gave wine to the King – but he had a sad look on his face…
- Artaxerxes was immediately suspicious – his life was in the hand of Nehemiah…
- Terrified Nehemiah answered honestly – he was broken hearted for his people!
- Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah what he wanted…
- Nehemiah shot up a quick prayer – and then asked to be sent to rebuild Jerusalem!
- We should always be talking to God – always in prayer – I Thessalonians 5:17
- So that when the time comes – we are ready and know what we are supposed to do…
- Too often people just start to pray – when it is time to get moving!
- Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah how long he would be gone…
- It is mentioned in the text that the queen sat with him – most likely not Esther (timeline)…
- Nehemiah gave him a timeframe – perhaps 6 months or a year…
- Although ultimately he would end up extending his time – 12 years as governor of Judea!
- Then Nehemiah asked for letters giving him safe passage to Judah…
- As well as the right to cut down timber for the walls / gates of the city…
- The King granted every one of his requests – and sent him of with his blessing!
- Do you ever wonder why we do not see more healings – miracles today…
- I think many times the reason is that we do not ask – we are afraid to step out and try…
- Yet God promises to give us anything that we ask for – as we abide in Him!
- John 14:14 – “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
- Although it our request is selfish – if our heart is not right – it will not be granted!
- James 4:2-3 – “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
- In the 20th year of Artaxerxes – in the month of Nisan – Nehemiah stood before the King…
- 2nd – Fulfilling prophecy…
- The command was given in the month of Nisan – in the 20th year of Artaxerxes…
- According to Hebrew tradition – when no day is given – it is 1st day of the month…
- Meaning the command to rebuild Jerusalem – given to Nehemiah on March 14th – 445 B.C.
- There is a good reason for the Holy Spirit recording the date of this event…
- Daniel 9:24-27 – the 70 weeks of Daniel – the key to unlock End Time Prophecy…
- Israel is God’s prophetic watch/ timer – it is how God ‘tells time’ prophetically…
- God told Daniel there were 490 left for Israel until God established His Kingdom…
- The starting date – the command to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem – Nehemiah 2:1-8
- Now it has obviously been more than 490 years since Artaxerxes gave the orders…
- But Daniel also predicted the watch would stop – after 483 years – when the Messiah came!
- Luke 19:41-44 – Jesus drew near the Jerusalem and wept over it…
- They had missed their day – Israel was expected to recognize Jesus as the Messiah!
- Because they had even been told THE VERY DAY Jesus would arrive!
- Daniel 9:25 – “Now listen and understand! [483 years] will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until… the Anointed One comes.”
- 483 years or 173,880 days later – on April 6th, 32 A.D.- Jesus arrived (Palm Sunday)!
- God had told the Jews the exact day Jesus would come- but they missed it…
- The Jews were all very religious- they all went to ‘church every Sunday’…
- But very few of them actually knew their Bible – so they missed the Messiah!
- We also have been told when Jesus will come (though not the day or the hour)…
- It will kick of the final 7 years of God’s watch – but the question is are we ready!
- That is why it is so important we learn – read – and get to know our Bible…
- It is easy to be religious- but miss most important thing of all- Jesus!
- That is why we go to Bible studies / read the Bible/ listen to the Bible on the radio…
- So we get into the Word to learn all about our Lord- so we do not miss Jesus!
- The command was given in the month of Nisan – in the 20th year of Artaxerxes…
- 3rd – Evaluating the problems… vs. 9-20
- The problem of Sanballat / Tobiah / Geshem…
- Sanballat (from Moab) / Tobiah (from Ammon) / Geshem (the Arab) opposed Nehemiah…
- When they heard what Nehemiah planned – they laughed and mocked…
- The accused the Jews of trying to rebel against the King of Persia!
- Moab and Ammon were the descendants of Lot – nephew of Abraham – Genesis 19…
- Meaning these men were actually the relatives of the Jews!
- Some of the hardest people on us when we get saved – are our family and friends…
- The problem is they know us to well – our mistakes / flaws / and sins…
- When we try and follow Jesus – they are quick to remind us of them all!
- What they miss is that all that we were is gone – Psalms 103:12
- No longer defined by who we were – but now by Jesus who is in us!
- Sanballat (from Moab) / Tobiah (from Ammon) / Geshem (the Arab) opposed Nehemiah…
- The problem of the broken wall and gates…
- After 3 days in Jerusalem – Nehemiah snuck out at night to look at the wall…
- He had told no one of his plans – and he wanted to keep his purpose secret…
- He went out through the Valley gate – passing on the south by the Dung gate…
- Portions of the wall were in such bad shape – he had could not pass by!
- So he climbed out of Kidron valley and viewed the wall from the Mt. of Olives…
- When he returned he gathered the leaders of Judah – and told them his purpose…
- They rallied behind Nehemiah – and agreed to start rebuilding the wall!
- The men could have started rebuilding the wall at any time…
- It needed to be rebuilt – they had no defense against the influence of the world…
- Yet it took one man being willing to step out in faith – to get the people to act!
- We live in nation that is in moral free fall – and its influence is penetrating the church!
- Most believers / churches – just stand by watching – not sure what to do…
- They know things need to change – but they are just one person / one church…
- Yet even when just one is willing to stand up – God can do a work…
- As we stand up for Jesus – God can use us to rebuild a wall – restore a nation!
- After 3 days in Jerusalem – Nehemiah snuck out at night to look at the wall…
- The problem of Sanballat / Tobiah / Geshem…
- 1st – Asking for help … vs. 1-8
- 3rd – Many hands make for light work… 3:1-32
- 1st – Nehemiah must have done extensive planning and organizing before beginning the work…
- He broke the project down into manageable chunks (see diagram of Jerusalem)…
- Sometimes people emphasize the body of Christ is a living organism – not an organization…
- While that is true and must not be forgotten – every living organism is highly organized…
- And there is nothing wrong with organization – as long as we remain flexible to the Spirit!
- 2nd – Nehemiah was not alone in the work…
- Nehemiah could not possibly have done all this work by himself…
- He had to entrust it to the workers and give them the authority to get the job done….
- Sometimes it seems like it might be easier to do the job ourselves rather than to delegate…
- Maybe it is because of pride – we think we are the only ones who can do the work…
- Maybe it is trying to please men – thinking if we say no they will be upset…
- Either way – when we try to do too much – we end up getting into a lot of trouble…
- We end up burned out – tired – frustrated – unable to get anything accomplished…
- We end up upsetting others – telling people we will help them out – but are spread too thin…
- We keep others from being able to help out – they do not have the opportunity to serve!
- 3rd – Not everyone did the same work…
- Some worked in front of their own homes – others came from far away towns…
- Some worked on the walls / others worked on the gates…
- Some built small sections – others seemed superhuman in the scope of their efforts…
- But each worker was important to the cause – every person was necessary!
- I Corinthians 12:12 – “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.”
- We are all part of the body of Christ – we all have different roles in the church…
- One might be called cut donuts/ another teach kids / another drive golf carts…
- But no matter your gift/calling – all have a critical role to play in the Kingdom of God!
- 4th – The sheep gate…
- The work began and ended at the Sheep gate – where the sacrifices came into the Temple…
- I like that because the work began and ended with The Lamb – John 1:36
- Because we can be confident – He who began a good work in us with finish it – Philippians 1:6
- Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
- 1st – Nehemiah must have done extensive planning and organizing before beginning the work…
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