What should we learn from Nehemiah’s response to bad news?
(Nehemiah 1 & 2) Blog Oct. 6-12, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of the return of the exiles from Babylon to Judea. This return was promised by God in Isaiah and Jeremiah and enacted by three Persian kings – Cyrus, in the first year of his reign (538 BC), Darius in the second year of his reign (520 BC), and Artaxerxes, in the seventh year of his reign (457 BC). Under the leadership of Zerubbabel 50,000 Jews returned when the first decree was made by Cyrus and a smaller number under the leadership of Ezra, the priest, when Artaxerxes made the last decree. Construction of the temple in Jerusalem was completed in the sixth year of Darius (516 BC).
Facing bad news (Nehemiah 1:1-4)
1. Whose “words” are recorded in the book of Nehemiah? Those of Nehemiah, himself.
2. Whose “word” do we have in the book of Nehemiah? We have God’s Word – his thoughts – his message.
3. According to Hanani what was the condition of God’s remnant people in Judea? They were in great affliction & confronted with opposition.
4. On what aspect of Jerusalem did Hanani report? On her broken down wall & on her burned gates – not on her sanctuary.
5. When Nehemiah heard of the condition of God’s remnant people and of Jerusalem what five things did he do? He sat down, he cried, he mourned for some days, he fasted, & he prayed.
6. What should we learn from Nehemiah’s response to bad news? That when we hear of stagnation or corruption in God’s church we should stop what we are doing rather than accepting it, we should weep over the condition of God’s people rather than gloat over it, we should mourn because we too are part of the problem, we should fast in order to think more clearly about the situation, & we should pray to God for the remedy.
Nehemiah’s prayer (Nehemiah 1:5-11)
7. What was Nehemiah’s occupation? He was cupbearer to Artaxerxes, the king of Medo-Persia.
8. As Nehemiah begins his prayer to the God of heaven what two characteristics of God does he mention? That he keeps his covenant promises & that he is merciful towards those that love him.
9. From where does Nehemiah get the expression “mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments”? From the second Commandment & from Deuteronomy 7:9.
10. What does Nehemiah do in his prayer like Daniel did in his in Daniel 9? He identifies himself with the sins & corruption of God’s people.
11. After his confession of sins of what does Nehemiah remind God? That he is a God who keep his promises & that he promised that after scattering his people for their sins he would gather them again if they repented & kept his Commandments.
12. With what request did Nehemiah end his prayer? That God would help him & grant him mercy from the king.
Nehemiah’s mission (Nehemiah 2:1-20)
13. What would sadness on the part of the cupbearer suggest to the king? That his servant was part of a plot to take the king’s life.
14. After telling the king why he was sad what did Nehemiah do? He sent a prayer up to heaven.
15. What favor did Nehemiah ask of King Artaxerxes? That he be sent to rebuild Jerusalem.
16. What influenced King Artaxerxes, the greatest ruler in the world, to grant Nehemiah’s request? The moving of God’s Spirit upon him as the result of Nehemiah’s prayers.
17. Besides asking for letters of safe conduct what other letter did Nehemiah request of the king? He asked for a letter to the keeper of the king’s forest that he might receive lumber for rebuilding the city.
18. What is sure to occur whenever a person works to advance God’s kingdom? Opposition inspired by Satan will arise.
19. What did Nehemiah add to God’s call, protection and provision? He added personal thought, planning, & human effort.
20. What inspired Nehemiah’s thought, planning, and effort? His faith in God & in God’s Word.