Nehemiah Cupbearer is not a butler or server High position of trust and influence in the court because assassination by poisoning was always possible Let us look at his circumstances at this point in his life.

Artaxerxes 1, Longimanus Persian king, reigned 465-424 BC. Greeks nick-named him “longhanded” Known now by the Latin equivalent

Conditions in Judah The temple reconstruction was stopped and then restarted in the second year of Darius, 520 BC.

Conditions in Judah The temple reconstruction was stopped and then restarted in the second year of Darius, 520 BC. It was finished in Darius' sixth year.

Conditions in Judah The temple reconstruction was stopped and then restarted in the second year of Darius, 520 BC. It was finished in Darius' sixth year. Now, nearly 70 years later, the news from Judah is not good.

Conditions in Judah The temple reconstruction was stopped and then restarted in the second year of Darius, 520 BC. It was finished in Darius' sixth year. Now, nearly 70 years later, the news from Judah is not good. The walls of Jerusalem are still broken down and the gates remain missing.

Conditions in Judah The temple reconstruction was stopped and then restarted in the second year of Darius, 520 BC. It was finished in Darius' sixth year. Now, nearly 70 years later, the news from Judah is not good. The walls of Jerusalem are still broken down and the gates remain missing. Nehemiah wants permission to go rebuild.

The Prayer of Chapter One Confesses the sins of the people which led to the present situation, 6 & 7

The Prayer of Chapter One Confesses the sins of the people which led to the present situation, 6 & 7 Remembers God's promise: if unfaithful, be scattered; return, keep and do the law, be gathered and brought back, 8 & 9 Probably thinking of Moses' words in Deut. 30 Deu 30:15 "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;

The Prayer of Chapter One Confesses the sins of the people which led to the present situation, 6 & 7 Remembers God's promise: if unfaithful, be scattered; return, keep and do the law, be gathered and brought back, 8 & 9 “make your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”, 11 Three outstanding points in this prayer: He acknowledges they were responsible for their condition because of their sins. His knowledge of the Law's promises and curses. His dependence on God for the success of his request of the king.

Remember me O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people. 5:19

Remember me O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people. 5:19 Famine causing great pain; they were borrowing money for food

Remember me O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people. 5:19 Famine causing great pain; they were borrowing money for food Taxation was forcing them into slavery: he had redeemed those he could

Remember me O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people. 5:19 Famine causing great pain; they were borrowing money for food Taxation was forcing them into slavery: he had redeemed those he could Usury charged: stop it and return the property taken and the interest charged

Remember me O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people. 5:19 Famine causing great pain; they were borrowing money for food Taxation was forcing them into slavery: he had redeemed those he could Usury charged: stop it and return the property taken and the interest charged His example: for twelve years he did not use the governor's food allowance but fed 150+ people at his own table. 5:14-18

Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballet according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. 6:14 The Gentiles brought into the area after the conquest of Samaria by Assyria did not want to see Jerusalem refortified.

Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballet according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. 6:14 Tried four times to get him out of the city so they could kill him.

Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballet according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. 6:14 Tried four times to get him out of the city so they could kill him. Threatened to send lies to Artaxerxes of rebellion and proclamation of a king.

Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballet according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. 6:14 Tried four times to get him out of the city so they could kill him. Threatened to send lies to Artaxerxes of rebellion and proclamation of a king. Shemaiah tried trick him into fleeing to the temple because of murder plot against both of them. The next three prayers all relate to restoration of the law and worship in their everyday lives.

Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deed which I have performed for the house of my God and its services. 13:14 Nehemiah went back to Persia after twelve years. When he returned to Jerusalem he found an unfaithful priest named Eliashib, related to Tobiah, had given Tobiah a room in the temple.

Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deed which I have performed for the house of my God and its services. 13:14 Tobiah's belongings were thrown out of the temple room he had been given; it was cleansed and restored to it proper use. Nehemiah went back to Persia after twelve years. When he returned to Jerusalem he found an unfaithful priest named Eliashib, related to Tobiah, had given Tobiah a room in the temple.

Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deed which I have performed for the house of my God and its services. 13:14 Tobiah's belongings were thrown out of the temple room he had been given; it was cleansed and restored to it proper use. The Levites were not being supported and had left the temple for home Nehemiah went back to Persia after twelve years. When he returned to Jerusalem he found an unfaithful priest named Eliashib, related to Tobiah, had given Tobiah a room in the temple.

Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deed which I have performed for the house of my God and its services. 13:14 Tobiah's belongings were thrown out of the temple room he had been given; it was cleansed and restored to it proper use. The Levites were not being supported and had left the temple for home The tithes were brought and distributed to the priests and Levites Nehemiah went back to Persia after twelve years. When he returned to Jerusalem he found an unfaithful priest named Eliashib, related to Tobiah, had given Tobiah a room in the temple.

For this also remember me, O my God, I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gate-keepers to sanctify the sabbath day, 13:22

For this also remember me, O my God, I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gate-keepers to sanctify the sabbath day, 13:22 People were working on the sabbath.

For this also remember me, O my God, I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gate-keepers to sanctify the sabbath day, 13:22 People were working on the sabbath. Merchants were arriving and conducting business on the sabbath.

For this also remember me, O my God, I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gate-keepers to sanctify the sabbath day, 13:22 People were working on the sabbath. Merchants were arriving and conducting business on the sabbath. The gates were closed and guarded until the Levites purified themselves as gatekeepers.

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the covenant of the priesthood. 13:29 Specifically the women of Ashdod, Edom and Moab

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the covenant of the priesthood. 13:29 People had married Gentiles from the nations prohibited by the law. Half their children spoke the language of Ashdod and none spoke the language of Judah. Specifically the women of Ashdod, Edom and Moab

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the covenant of the priesthood. 13:29 People had married Gentiles from the nations prohibited by the law. Half their children spoke the language of Ashdod and none spoke the language of Judah. Even a grandson of the high priest was a son-in- law of the evil Sanballet. Specifically the women of Ashdod, Edom and Moab

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the covenant of the priesthood. 13:29 People had married Gentiles from the nations prohibited by the law. Half their children spoke the language of Ashdod and none spoke the language of Judah. Even a grandson of the high priest was a son-in- law of the evil Sanballet. He purified them from everything foreign. Specifically the women of Ashdod, Edom and Moab

Remember me, O my God for good, 13:31

How do we measure up to the standard of Nehemiah? Do good to those we can help Gal. 5:22; Luke 6:26

How do we measure up to the standard of Nehemiah? Pray about, and warn others, of the enemies of God that would harm us and hinder the gospel Paul warned Timothy in both letters of such as Hymenaeus and Alexander, and Alexander the coppersmith, 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:4 Ephesus commended by Jesus for hating the works of Nicolaitans, Rev. 2:6

How do we measure up to the standard of Nehemiah? Faithful even when threatened with death Roman persecution sent unknown numbers to their deaths in the second an third centuries. Paul writes to Timothy that he is “already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come.”, 2 Tim. 4:6

How do we measure up to the standard of Nehemiah? Zealous for keeping all the commandments of the Lord Caleb fully followed all the commandments of God, Joshua 14 We must not add to or take from what God has commanded, Rev. 22:18-19

How do we measure up to the standard of Nehemiah? Rebuke and admonish those in sin The scripture must be applied for teaching, reproof, and training, 2 Tim.3:16 Those caught in a trespass must be restored by the spiritual, Gal. 6:1 The factious must be rejected, not followed, Titus 3:10