NEHEMIAH 1
NEHEMIAH GRIEVES OVER THE WALL OF JERUSALEM
Nehemiah is an Israelite man, serving as an official in the Persian government. As he is working, he is given an update from Jerusalem. The returned exiles have been living in Jerusalem for over a century, but the walls of Jerusalem are still dilapidated.
Nehemiah is deeply saddened by this news and spends days in prayer, weeping and fasting as a sign of his mourning. Nehemiah is a faithful Jewish man who recites the words of Deuteronomy 30, remembering a promise from God that the nation once scattered will be gathered. Nehemiah trusted God’s promise that He will dwell among the people in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah repents for the nation of Israel, knowing that God shows forgiveness to His people for their remorse. Nehemiah asks for favor and success from God and mercy before Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, in his mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
NEHEMIAH 2
NEHEMIAH GIVEN FAVOR BY THE KING + CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S PLANS
Nehemiah goes before King Artaxerxes, who visibly notices his sadness. Through God’s intervention, Nehemiah finds favor with the king and is given the time and supplies necessary to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
When Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he keeps the idea God put in his heart close to his chest, not revealing his plans and working in the night with only a few men to prepare for the rebuilding of the city wall.
Not long after his arrival, he faces opposition from two enemies of the Israelite people, Sanballat and Tobiah. These two men question Nehemiah’s intentions and authority, dismissing his permission from King Artaxerxes.
Nehemiah is confident in his calling, trusting that God’s would be upon them and they would prosper.
NEHEMIAH 3
DETAILS OF REBUILDING THE CITY GATES
Starting with the gates around the city wall, Nehemiah starts to rebuild. Recording the lists of people who work on each specific gate, this chapter captures Nehemiah’s systematic and structured approach to rebuilding the wall. People of all backgrounds and statuses were included in the building process, showing the communal efforts of the city of Jerusalem.
NEHEMIAH 4
NEHEMIAH FACES OPPOSITION + PRAYS FOR PROTECTION
As the wall reconstruction begins, Nehemiah faces opposition from Israel’s enemies, specifically from Sanballat and Tobiah. Israel’s opposition is angered by Israel’s progress and plots to fight against Jerusalem.
Nehemiah and the Israelites pray, asking God for protection. Nehemiah is confident that God would allow them to finish the good work that was started, telling the Israelites to not be afraid and to remember God’s provision.
NEHEMIAH 5
NEHEMIAH’S GENEROSITY + SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM
Nehemiah addresses poverty and oppression within Jerusalem, directly related to the Israelites loaning money to their own people with extremely high interest rates. Nehemiah hates seeing Israelites become less advantaged for the gain of other Israelites. Nehemiah asks the lenders to give back the interest, providing a more equal playing field for the Israelites who are indebted.
As a leader in the nation, Nehemiah turns down the more lavish food allotment and does not own any land. Instead of living at a higher standard of living, Nehemiah lives in the same conditions as the other people working on the wall construction.
NEHEMIAH 6
NEHEMIAH RESISTS OPPOSITION + FINISHES THE CITY WALLS
Nehemiah’s enemies, Sanballat, Tobaih, and Geshem, continue to oppose his work on the city wall. Despite their efforts to summon Nehemiah and harm him, Nehemiah stays focused on the work that God has called him to do. Nehemiah proclaims that he is doing a good work and will not come down!
Trying to stop the progress of the city walls, Nehemiah’s enemies spread lies about him and conspire against him. Nehemiah sees through their dishonesty and knows they are only attempting to scare and discourage him. Sanballat, Tobaih, and Geshem hire a man named Shemaiah to act as a false prophet, instructing Nehemiah to go into hiding. Nehemiah knows that Shemaiah was not speaking under God’s authority and was not fooled by this trick.
After fifty-two days of labor, the wall is finished under Nehemiah’s leadership. All of the surrounding nations were humbled and acknowledged that God was involved in the building of the city walls.
Nehemiah 6:3 - And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’”
NEHEMIAH 7
NEHEMIAH RECORDS GOD’S RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM
After the completion of the wall, Nehemiah appoints gatekeepers and priests as guards of the city entrances. Because Jerusalem is still being rebuilt, it is vulnerable and needs protection.
God gives Nehemiah the idea to record the genealogy of the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem from exile. Those without documentation were welcomed into the city, but were not allowed to be priests without the correct registration. God does not exclude anyone who wants to be a part of his nation, but provides higher regulation for those serving in the temple.
There were nearly 50,000 people and 8,000 animals restored to Jerusalem, showing the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to collect the Israelites from among the nations and restore them to Jerusalem. Many of the Israelites provide generous donations to provide for the restoration of the city walls.
NEHEMIAH 8
GOD’S LAW IS READ + THE ISRAELITES CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF BOOTHS
The Israelites gather as one to hear the Old Testament Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy) also known as the Law of Moses or Pentateuch.
Ezra reads God’s Law before all of the people of Israel and the Levites help explain to those who do not understand. The priests highlight the importance of not only hearing God’s word, but comprehending God’s word.
Upon hearing the Law, the people mourn and weep, possibly because they realize how far they had deviated from God’s commands. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the priests comfort the people and encourage them to use the joy of the Lord as their strength. Reading God’s Word is a source of hope and renewal, not shame and sorrow.
The Israelites realize that they had neglected one of the annual feasts, so they begin celebrating the Festival of Booths. During this week-long celebration, the Israelites live in shelters, remembering the ways God provided for them in the wilderness.
NEHEMIAH 9
NEHEMIAH REMINDS THE ISRAELITES OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE
After Ezra reads the Book of the Law, the Israelites practice confession and repentance of their sins. The people cry out to God alone and praise His name as the everlasting God.
Remembering God’s faithfulness, Nehemiah recalls the history of the Israelites, starting with God choosing Abraham (Genesis 12). Next Nehemiah tells of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery from the Egyptians (Exodus 12), the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14), and God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 14, 16, 17).
Nehemiah also recalls that God kept His promise to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 6). Once the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were disobedient to God’s law and ignored the warnings of the prophets. After all the wonders God performed for the Israelites, they were stubborn and dismissive of God.
Quoting Exodus 34:6-7, Nehemiah reminds the Israelites of God’s character, saying that God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Even when the Israelites worshiped false gods and were blasphemous, God was still gracious and merciful towards them. After the Israelites were taken into exile, God kept His promise to deliver them from their enemies and restore them to their land.
The Israelites are reminded of God’s faithfulness and want to break their ancestors' cycle of rebellion. To show their dedication, they made a written document affirming their faithfulness to the covenant.
NEHEMIAH 10
THE COVENANT REDEDICATION SIGNED + SEALED
Nehemiah records the names of the Israelite leaders who signed the covenant rededication on behalf of the people. The priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and musicians signed the agreement stating that God’s people would keep the Law and obey His commands, including honoring the Sabbath day, maintaining the temple, and giving their first fruits as an offering.
NEHEMIAH 11
NEHEMIAH RECORDS THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM
For Jerusalem to gain momentum and continue in resettlement, it is necessary to have a thriving population within the city. Nehemiah records the people who would reside in Jerusalem.
Many priests and Levites volunteer to inhabit the land, honoring their appointed roles within the temple and city. Others are selected at random to move into the rebuilt city.
Nehemiah also records the other villages in which returning Israelites will settle in Judah.
NEHEMIAH 12
THE CITY WALL OF JERUSALEM DEDICATED
Nehemiah records the priests and Levites who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubabel.
The completed city wall is dedicated, and the people of Jerusalem celebrate with music and praise! Musicians and singers surround the city wall and worship God, expressing joy and gratitude.
At the temple, leaders are appointed over the tithes and offerings brought to the temple.
NEHEMIAH 13
THE WORK OF NEHEMIAH UNRAVELED
After the wall dedication, Nehemiah returns to Babylon, where he works for the Persian king. Later on, Nehemiah receives an unfortunate update on the state of Jerusalem.
Despite Nehemiah's diligent work and reform in Jerusalem, the Israelites returned to their old rebellious ways. Around the city, the work of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah is being unraveled by the Israelites. The temple is neglected, and offerings are not being collected. The Sabbath day is being ignored and the Israelites are working during the day set apart for rest. And worst of all, the areas around the newly rebuilt wall of Jerusalem are being used for trade on the Sabbath day.
Frustrated and concerned, Nehemiah cries out to God, begging Him to remember his work and not undo the good that he had done.
Nehemiah 13:14 - Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.