Nehemiah

Nehemiah Homework

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

Nehemiah was written along side with Ezra as the people were coming out of exile and returning to their homeland. When they arrived, they realized that their city was in ruins and needed to be rebuilt. It was demoralizing (1:3). They no longer knew who they were or if God was with them. They were very vulnerable. And so God raised up a leader, Nehemiah, to rebuild the city walls and instill the people with hope and determination once again. (1:10-11)

Nehemiah was a humble leader who balanced trusting in the Lord and prayer with practical means of rebuilding (4:13). Even in the face of opposition, they never stopped building. In fact, Nehemiah notes that “They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued to work with even greater determination.” (6:9) It is said that the men built with one hand on their swords and the other with their tools. All the while he encouraged the people “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord who is great and glorious!” ( 4:14) He lead the people with God’s values and adjusted their views when he saw them leaning back towards their own pagan ways. 

And finally when the walls were rebuilt, Nehemiah gathered the people together in order to read scripture and build their foundation upon the Lord (7:73-8:1). They clearly spoke out what is righteous and what is sin and God’s great mercy and faithfulness in it all (9:19). Then as a people, Ezra and Nehemiah lead them in an oath before the Lord. (10:30-39)

Nehemiah was written to the people as a reminder of who they are. They were dejected and having to start from scratch. The Lord sent them a leader in order to bring redemption and a fresh start. (8:10) He was building a foundation based on God. 

2. What does this book show of the Character and Nature of God as well as His plan for redemption?

God is faithful and can be trusted. Through the exile, through the sin and depravity, the Lord made a promise and he was faithful to it. He even provided them with leaders that would continue to push forward. “And you have done what you have promised, for you are always true to your word.” (9:8) This is something that the people are learning to stand on. There were so many promises made for the future through the other prophets at this time. Promises of an ever lasting kingdom and a prince of peace who will reign forever. It was important for the people to be able to look back and see that the Lord is faithful! He’s so faithful to finish what he says. This was something worth standing on. For he is “a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love.” (9:17)

3. Application

I loved reading about Nehemiah’s leadership. It’s something that I would like to study more deeply and pray into. He trusted fully in the Lord, interceded, saw the sin of the people and asked for mercy, led them in repentance, and instilled them with hope. Yet he also did what was practical to protect the people. It’s easy as a leader to become prideful in your position or to even stray from God within the pressures of “what’s right” by the view of the world and the people. But Nehemiah didn’t. He lead through the eyes of the Lord and this is something that we should all model ourselves after. 

4. Point of Passion

In the same idea as application, these same leadership points can be replicated as parents. It is essential to build a foundation solely on the Lord in our children, to pray for them and intercede for them, to lead them in repentance and to proclaim hope and promise in their lives. We must parent through the eyes of the Lord, knowing that our children are not our own. They are God’s first and foremost.