Nehemiah

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

We know that the book of Nehemiah is a compilation of Nehemiah's memoirs (1:1). While the actual author/compiler of the text is unknown it is usually credited to Ezra.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer in the palace of King Artaxerxes and the Lord gave him a special assignment (1:12) and He was under the gracious and providing hand of God. He received special permission from the king to go to Judah to help rebuild the city and was given timber and letters for safety all per request (1:5-8). At this point in time, the people have rebuilt the temple, but the walls of the city no longer exist (2:17), The city is wide open for any and all who might choose to attack them. And the people from the surrounding lands mocked them and became outraged, planning to fight against them (4:1-9). With the hand and help of the Lord (4:9) they were able to rebuild the walls and stay protected the through the whole process.

This was another step in the rebuilding of the foundation of the city and nation of Israel.

The people, after having rebuilt the walls and settled into their towns, assembled together and asked Ezra to read from the Book of the Law of Moses. The people rose to their feet as he opened the book, Ezra praised the Lord, “and all the people chanted 'Amen! Amen!' as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. ...They (the Levites) read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.” (8:6, 8) The people responded with weeping as the words of the Law were written. But the priests told them not to weep! “Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (8:10) This was a sacred day of rejoicing and celebration! The people were to “...celebrate with great joy because they had heard God's words and understood them.”

In chapter 10 the people take a solemn vow to carefully follow all of the demands and decrees of the Lord. And in the following chapters they begin delveing deeper into what the law actually says and they make the adjustments where needed. In Chapter 13 Nehemiah sees that the people are again falling wayward and need to be corrected. “So I purged out everything foreign and assigned tasks to the priests and Levites, making certain that each knew his work.” (13:30). Nehemiah did all that he could to set his people back upright and moving in the right direction and wasn't afraid to step on any toes.

2. What does this book show you about the character and nature of God?

He grants favor to those who seek to carry out His plan and seek the betterment of His people/the restoration of what's broken. Nehemiah leaves, the king's palace with a mission to set his nation back on it's feet and the Lord grants Him amazing favor and protects him through the whole process.

I see so much beauty and the hand of God at work in the part about the people wanting the law to be read to them and then they weep over it because they finally understand it! What an awesome God! That He still pursued them, still had something in their spirits that sought more of Him and He put leaders in their presence who actually taught them what it was saying. They clung to it and wanted to change! They didn't do it perfectly, but He had Nehemiah there to put them back on track and rid them of what was separating them from God.

3. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

God sending Nehemiah to Jerusalem specifically to rebuild the walls of the city was an act of redemption and Him showing His faithfulness to His people again. He wasn't going to leave them vulnerable and open to attack, He was providing a way for them to physically stay protected and safe. He not only used Nehemiah as the spearhead for the rebuilding of the wall, but He used him to open their eyes to the sin that they were easily falling back into and to show them that a Spiritual life with God isn't all about the sacrifices and heavenly things, it's also very much a practical, every day life style. By him coming and using practical action to lead the people showed them the purpose and benefit of having a balance. And to me, it also showed made them aware of the fact that physical things they do, integrating with pagan women, not living in harmony with each other, etc. inhibit their ability to relate to God.