Nehemiah
Ridicule And Criticism Comes to Nehemiah
Whenever someone sets out to accomplish a work for God there will be those who oppose it. The Bible Knowledge Commentary lists three of Nehemiah’s problems and responses up to this point:
People Asked to Move Inside The City
Since Jerusalem’s walls had been rebuilt, it was necessary for a sufficient number of people to inhabit the city. Perhaps this included people to defend the city, carry on business, etc. People already dwelt in the city, but it was decided that they needed one tenth of the popula …
The Greatness of God
The Feast of the Tabernacles ended, but the people lingered to hear the Word of God. The events of this chapter occurred two days after the end of the Feast of the Tabernacles. It was a day of fasting and mourning (v. 1). The wearing of sackcloth and the placing of earth on their …
The Israelites Who Lived Outside The City
The towns south of Jerusalem, from the Hinnom Valley just south of the city as far as Beersheba, were those in the territory belonging to the tribe of Judah. Those north of Jerusalem stretching to the neighboring province of Samaria were towns of Benjamin. These were the two sect …
The Wall Completed
Nehemiah’s enemies left no stone unturned in trying to keep him from building the wall (vv. 10- 13). First they tried to draw him into the country to talk to them. When this didn’t work, they tried to get him to go into the temple and hide, saying it was for his own safety.T …
The Living Link Between The Past And The Future
Reading a long list of difficult names like those found in this passage may seem boring to us, but we must remember that these Jews were the living link that connected the historic past with the prophetic future. These were the people who made it possible for Jesus to be born int …
Delegation of The Work Load
The task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was so enormous that it called for great organization and the help of everyone. Nehemiah’s plan is unique and various aspects of this plan are outlined in this chapter. He begins with the Sheep Gate and proceeds counterclockwise. The …
Nehemiah Called For a "Bible Conference”
Nehemiah called for a “Bible conference” and invited Ezra, to be the teacher. Ezra was a scribe and a priest who had come to Jerusalem 13 years prior to Nehemiah. If God is to work through His people, they must respond positively to His Word. In this chapter three …
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
Since Sanballet and his friends had failed in opposing the work at Jerusalem, they decided to concentrate their attacks on Nehemiah personally. The walls had been completed and they were working on the gates (v. 1). Rather than opposing Nehemiah they now want to join with him. Sa …
The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
In addition to repairing the walls, the builders repaired the gates. The porters, singers and Levites were given the responsibility of opening and closing them. Nehemiah, knowing that his enemies were still around, ordered these security measures. All the work on the wall would h …