Overview of the book of Nehemiah…

Fortifying the City… (3 things)

• 1^st – A sad state… 1:1-11
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!

• 2^nd – Fixing the problem…  2:1-20
  • 1^st – Asking for help … vs. 1-8
    • In the 20^th 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.”
  • 2^nd – Fulfilling prophecy…
    • The command was given in the month of Nisan – in the 20^th year of Artaxerxes…
      • According to Hebrew tradition – when no day is given – it is 1^st day of the month…
      • Meaning the command to rebuild Jerusalem – given to Nehemiah on March 14^th – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!
    • 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!
          
• 3^rd – Many hands make for light work… 3:1-32
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!
  • 4^th – 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…”