Studies in the Book of Nehemiah A Time to Build Studies in the Book of Nehemiah

Background God’s people returned (Ezra 1-2) First return: 538 B.C. (Ezra (1-6) [ Esther ] Second return: 458 B.C. (Ezra 7-10) Third return: 445 B.C. (Nehemiah 1-13) God’s temple restored (Ezra 3-6) [ Haggai and Zechariah ] God’s people reformed (Ezra 7-10) God’s city rebuilt (Nehemiah 1-7) God’s people rededicated (Nehemiah 8-13) [ Malachi ]

Nehemiah 1 - 13 Rebuilding the city (Neh. 1-7) Rebuilding the citizens (Neh. 8-13)

Nehemiah 1-3 The report (1:1-11) Learning about the walls (1:1-3) Lamenting over the walls (1:4-11) The request (2:1-10) The review (2:11-20) The repairs (3:1-32)

Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah’s pro-activity & pathos (1:1-2) Israel’s plight (1:3) Nehemiah’s pity & persistent prayer (1:4) Nehemiah’s praise & penitence (1:5-7) God’s promise (1:8-10) Nehemiah’s petition (1:11)

Nehemiah: the Man For the Job He had a clear recognition of the need He was personally concerned with the need He went to God first with the need He was personally available to meet the need

Lessons Learned We must exhibit genuine care and concern for the condition of the Lord’s church (Mt. 6:33; Lk. 2:49; Jn. 9:4; Lk. 19:41; 1 Cor. 9:23) We must admit and examine our current state of affairs (2 Cor. 13:5; Rev. 2-3) We must confess any wrong-doing before moving forward (Jas. 1:21; 4:6-10; 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Rev. 2-3)

Lessons Learned We must trust God’s building promises (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 1:20) We must rely upon God for growth (Jn. 15:5; 1 Cor. 3:6-9; Heb. 13:20-21) We must pray and petition God for specific building requests: guidance, protection, progress (Mt. 9:36-38; Col. 4:3)

We Must Build… Ourselves (Mt. 7:24-26; Jude 20) Our marriage & family (Psa. 127 – 128) Our brethren (1 Thess. 5:11; Col. 2:7) Our local church (Ac. 15:17; Eph. 2:20; 4:12-16; Heb. 3:3-6) Our home in heaven (2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 11:10; Rev. 21:18)