Read: Chapter 4
NAME_______________________________________DATE_______________________
Vital
Statistics
PURPOSE:
Nehemiah is the last of the Old Testament
Historical books. It records the history of the third return to Jerusalem after
captivity, telling how the walls were rebuilt and the people renewed in their
faith.
AUTHOR:
Much of the book is written in the first
person, suggesting Nehemiah as the author. He probably wrote the book with Ezra
serving as editor.
DATE WRITTEN:
Approximately 445 - 432 B.C.
SETTING:
Zerubbabel led the first return to Jerusalem
in 537 B.C. In 458 B.C. Ezra led the second return. Finally, in 445 B.C., Nehemiah returned with
the third group of exiles to rebuild the city walls.
KEY VERSES:
"So the wall was finished in the twenty
and fifth day of the month Ehul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass,
that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us
saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes, for they
perceived that this work was wrought of our God." (6:15,16)
KEY PEOPLE:
Nehemiah, Ezra, Sanballat, Tobiah
KEY PLACE:
Jerusalem
DID YOU KNOW:
That the prophecies found in
Zechariah and Daniel concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, were
fulfilled in the book of Nehemiah?
Read as much of the book of Nehemiah as
possible.
THE BLUEPRINT:
A.) REBUILDING THE WALL - (1:1 - 7:73)
1.)
Nehemiah
return to Jerusalem
2.)
Nehemiah
leads the people
B.) REFORMING THE PEOPLE - (8:1 - 13:31 )
1.)
Ezra
renews the Covenant
2.)
Nehemiah
establishes policies
MAIN THEMES SEEN IN NEHEMIAH:
Vision
-
To go back and rebuild.
Payer - 9 times it is
mentioned that Nehemiah prayed.
Leadership
-
Two important lessons we learn
with Nehemiah's leadership.
a.)
His
talking with God.
b.)
His
walking with God.
Problems
- Opposition from without and
within
Repentance/Revival - The people respond
QUESTIONS:
1.) Name some of the Strengths you see in the life of Nehemiah.
2.) What was his occupation prior to the return to Jerusalem.
3.) Look on a map to get an idea of the distance of Jerusalem to
Persia (Modern-day Iraq) Be aware that caravan travel was limited to 10-20
Miles per day average age.
4.) So far in our studies we have seen the Children of Israel make two great Journeys. What were they? How long did each take? Who were the leaders?
SUMMARY:
Nehemiah set before us an
example of Godly character and leadership. At the call of God he renounced his life of luxury and
high position in the palace of Shushan for a life of toil, danger hardship and opposition from false
brethren within and enemies without in the work of restoration. He was a man of
faith, wisdom, courage and perseverance; a man of prayer and energy, able to
inspire others to work as well as work himself.
Note: Ezra and Nehemiah together show the fulfillment of certain areas of the notable "Seventy Week Prophecy" given to Daniel in Babylon. "From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra)......the street shall be built again and the wall, even in troublous times." (Nehemiah) (Daniel 9:25)
CHRIST SEEN:
Christ is seen as the
Governor of Judah (Matt.2:6) who left heaven's palaces (Psa. 45:8), and is
revealed as the Man of Prayer and Work (John 17, Matt. 16:18) in the Spiritual
Restoration of Jerusalem.
Thank you for studying with
us today. At this point you may choose to either save an unfinished assignment
or submit it to the Pastor's office for review and feedback.
See you next lesson J J J J J J J J J J J J