Nehemiah

Holy Writer

The book of Nehemiah is closely linked to the book of Ezra - so closely, that the earliest Hebrew and Greek manuscripts combined these two books into one. Origen, who lived two hundred years after Christ, was the first person known to distinguish between the two books calling them First and Second Ezra.

The book of Nehemiah picks up the history of the Jewish people where the book of Ezra left off. There are so many similarities between the two books, that many have felt that one person wrote them both. While it is possible the Ezra compiled both books along with Chronicles, there is adequate evidence to support the division and titles which we are familiar with today. The majority of the book of Ezra (especially the second half) was written by Ezra in the first person: “When these things were done, the leaders came to me [Ezra], saying...” (Ezra 9:1). The book of Nehemiah is also written in the first person as we read in the opening verse: “The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah” (Nehemiah 1:1). Over 100 times in the thirteen chapters of this book the word “I” is found referring to Nehemiah, so there should be no doubt about whom the Holy Spirit used to pen this book of Scripture.

Background

The first six chapters of Ezra told of the first return of Jewish exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the Priest, and the reconstruction of the temple during the reign of Cyrus the Persian. The last four chapters introduce us to a new king, Artaxerxes, who sent a second group of Jewish exiles back to Judah under the leadership of Ezra, and the beginning of his religious reform. Ezra tells us when this took place, “And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king” (Ezra 7:8). Nehemiah also introduces us to king Artaxerxes, and tells us at what time his account begins, “And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king” (Nehemiah 2:1). So the book of Nehemiah picks up the account thirteen years after Ezra came to Jerusalem.

Content

The book of Ezra has described the rebuilding of the temple within Jerusalem, and the book of Nehemiah continues by describing the struggle of rebuilding of the walls and gates around Jerusalem.

In the opening verses of the book we are introduced to Nehemiah who was a Jew serving as the cupbearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes, when some of his people came from Jerusalem with distressing news. They told Nehemiah about the trouble that his people were facing as they tried to rebuild the city saying, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3). So Nehemiah asked permission of the king to go to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the walls of the city.

Even in the face of much opposition from foreign neighbors, Nehemiah motivated his people to complete the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Nehemiah organized a guard to keep watch for enemies, but reminded the people that the LORD was in control, saying, “Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20).

Over the next twelve years Nehemiah remained as a governor in Jerusalem, and led the people in many reforms along with the help of Ezra the priest. While he did return to Babylon twelve years later, he again came back to Jerusalem later and completed other religious reforms dealing with the support of the priests, mixed marriages, and the observance of certain festivals and regulations connected with the Sabbath.

Purpose

The purpose becomes clear as we look at the contents which show that the Holy Spirit intended to record the history of God’s people during the period following the Babylonian captivity. But in addition to this general theme, we also see several sub themes presented throughout the book which we can learn from still today.

One of those would be the theme of a courageous leader who stands up for the LORD in the face of overwhelming odds, continually encouraging the people to rise up and “build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach” (Nehemiah 2:17). When fear of being attacked or killed discouraged the people, Nehemiah reminded them, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14), and “Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20). Nehemiah points out that even their enemies realized, “that this work was done by our God” (Nehemiah 6:16).

This is a good reminder for us still today. Like Nehemiah, when we place our trust in the LORD to do His will, even when we face what seems like unsurmountable odds, the LORD will give us the strength to do His will and to complete the task.

A second theme which the book of Nehemiah demonstrates is that prayer is an important part of the faith life of every follower of God. The book records nine different times where Nehemiah turned to the LORD in prayer asking for His guidance, protection, or blessing (1:5-11; 2:4; 4:4-5; 5:19; 6:14; 13:14,22,29,31).

This too is a reminder that just as Nehemiah prayed for God’s assistance in his life, and the LORD provided, so also should we take our problems to the LORD in prayer knowing that He will hear and answer them!

Outline

I. The Reconstruction of the Walls (Chapters 1-7)

      A.   Nehemiah’s Intercession before Artaxerxes (1:1-2:11)

      B.   Nehemiah’s Preparation for the Rebuilding (2:11-20)

      C.   The Rebuilding of the Walls (3:1-32)

      D.   The Opposition to the Rebuilding (4:1-6:19)

      E.    The Organization of Jerusalem (7:1-73)

II. The Restoration of the People (Chapters 8-13)

      A.   The Renewal of the Covenant (8-10)

      B.   The Obedience to the Covenant (11-13)

Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew