This vision was complete in 52 days
A lot of opposition characterised the building both from within and outside of family
This task takes place after the return from the Babylonian exile
Nehemiah means comfort of Yhwh
KEY lessons
For
Chapter 1 COVERS a Total of 11 verses
Nehemiah receives a message about the state of Jerusalem and the people in the city 1-3
Intercessional PRAYER that includes a lot of repentance and asking for God’s
Mercy takes place,. Verses 4-11-Times of prayer and fasting that Nehemiah undertakes for the city of Jerusalem.
Chapter 2
1-6 Nehemiah’ s request before the king and the King’ s benevolence which Nehemiah attributes to the good hand of God.
Mobilisation of resources for building the wall.
When set off it is clear the man had no resources or capital to start from
He is armed only with faith which is evidenced from his continuous PRAYER
Verse 10 introduces two people Sanballat and Tobia who are not happy with Nehemiah ‘s vision to rebuild the city : the first thing he meets at the first attempt is opposition; this is the first opportunity to quit – how does he react?
Verses 11-15 Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem without any sign of his vision neither does he tell anyone at this point. He seeks to understand the extent of the work by himself. The visionary must satisfy himself he has gone to the end of the vision before the vision can be shared with people
Verses 17 – 20 the vision is shared with the people clearly and see themselves in It. The vision brings strength and hope to the people. They all knew their state was not good but seem to lack the boldness to do anything about it until a visionary comes around and provides hope and leadership
Opposition again comes this time in form of criticism and accusations providing a second opportunity to quit but Nehemiah this time responds to opposition by restating his mission and the the God who was behind It.
Chapter 3
All this chapter addresses the many different people that participated in the rebuilding of the wall section by section (32 verses)
Chapter 4
Opposition comes again at this point (third opportunity to quit for Nehemiah)
This time it takes the form of ridicule or looking down on what the vision carriers were doing.
The response of Nehemiah was to increase his intercession for the fulfilment of the vision and prayers -verses 1-6
Verses 7 -9 We see continued and increased opposition and this time it is not only the two opposers but they mobilise other people groups: Arabian , ammonites and the Ashdodites: the opposition now becomes physical with a clear purpose to hinder and stop the vision (Just like the persistence of the devil) who comes to steal and to kill. Nehemiah again responds with PRAYER (This is the fourth opportunity to quit) he cannot quit , he has already been to the end of the vision and he will stay at it with his continued faith and prayers
The more your vision becomes visible; the more you attract attention which leads to increased opposition; there must be increased PRAYER to sustain a growing vision.
Verses 10-23 opposition continues but this time it takes the form of discouragement
A visionary must look at how to counter opposition and not to bow to any new tricks or threats against their vision; the vision must be fulfilled at all cost; opposition or not it must be fulfilled: the case of Nehemiah the wall had to be built no matter the consequences (fifty opportunity to quit as a result of opposition)
Chapter 5
Opposition in this chapter comes from within (sixth opportunity)
Takes the form of difficult experience by the builders of a personal nature. They are in debt but due to extortionate rates; they loose property and not able to look after their families well and in turn loose their ability to focus on the assignment to build – Nehemiah provided leadership on this by rebuking those who abused other’s and brought to an end the interest rates and ordered the return of goods and land that had been taken for the debts (verse 1-13)
Verses 14-19 Nehemiah shows his commitment to the vision by not allowing compromise in his life:
He did eat the Kings good in order not to mortgage his assignment to another
Chapter 6
Opposition is now through compromise verses 1-9
Sanballat and Tobia with the others look to frustrate the visionary by looking to involve him in other tasks (meeting with them) which has nothing to do with the vision
They are persistent , five times they sent messages to distract Nehemiah and they made accusations- fabrication but he refused to be distracted but rather only prays for God’s strength
Verses 10-14 false prophesy is used to infuse fear but Nehemiah was sensitive enough to know that the prophesy was not from God but the prophets were paid by the opposition to derail him from his vision
The enemy is so desperate to derail someone from his/her vision and he will do everything to make sure distraction
Nehemiah again prayers to God to deal with situation and does not get himself involved with the opposition
Verses 15-19 confirms the fulfilment of the vision in 52 days but the opposition still continued by sending laters to infuse fear
Chapter 7
Verses 73 focus on the assignment to put in place governance and rules: also there is a census of people and animals . There is also giving towards the work of the temple , gifts from the head of families is recorded then followed by that of the rest of the followers
Chapter 8
Interesting chapter – the people gather to hear the reading of the law of Moses and they do this for half a day: with excitement. When Ezra the priest is reading the book they are stood up with excitement with a deep desire to understand, verses 1-8
Verses 9-12 – the children of Isreal cry at the reading of God’s word in their hearing but they comforted by the priests say this day of joy and not mourning; these must have been tears of joy seeing their return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the broken walls of their city. This also were verse 10 comes in – the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Verses 13-18 further reading of the law and discovery of the need for them to build booths as commanded in the feast of the seventh month. They had not observed this for a long time due to captivity for some so being able to it again made them very glad
Chapter 9
This is time focussed on prayers and fastings: verses 1-4 preparations focussed on the reading of the law for the quarter of the day and another quarter is spent on confession of sin. There is also a mention of the time of separation from all strangers
Verses 4-5 They are led in PRAYER by the levites who priests; the prayers until verse 15 recites the CALLING of Abram, the change of his name to Abraham, the promise and the fulfilment for the land of Canaan, the slavery and deliverance in Egypt, including the crossing of the red sea, God’s leading and provision of manna throughout for of this time.
Verses 16 -31
Focus on God’s mercies to the ever sinning is Isreal for example the making of golden calf and attributing deliverance from Egypt to it; the appointing of Aaron as their leader in place of Moses, particularly verses 19 refers to the manifold mercy of God and how he continued to lead; provide for his their many shortcomings notwithstanding
Verses 32 -38
This verses again acknowledge God has been consistently faithful to the ever sinning Isreal and a covenant is made by the people to serve God including their land.
Chapter 10
The covenant is ratified and the verses 1-27 lists names of the people present beginning with Nehemiah. Verses 28- 39 gives the terms of the covenant.
Chapter 11
Verses 1-36 focuses on the resettlement of the people starting with Jerusalem were all their leaders and selected family representatives and the rest of the people settle in other cities.
Chapter 12
Verses 1-25 _ the register of the priests names and what they did
👆🏾👆🏾The text is summarised, focusing on the study of the book of Nehemiah.. be blessed.
