1. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …

2. Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Teaches The LawNehemiah Builds The Walls

3. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The wall being completed (6:15)… Nehemiah turned his attention elsewhere  He focused on populating Jerusalem  He also joined with Ezra in helping regain the remnant’s focus back to the Law

4. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Nehemiah established duties for gatekeepers, singers, etc. 7:1b  He also set up a guard detail 7:2-3  He described Jerusalem as “…a large and spacious city, but the people in it were few and houses not built” 7:4

5. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Addressing the population problem  He credits God for giving him the idea to take a census, or enrolling the remnant by their genealogies 7:5-69  He found the scroll that recorded those who came back with Zerubbabel some 91 years earlier Ezra 2

6. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Why take a “census?”  Most likely, the under-population was due to a city without defenses (i.e. a wall)  A census would also reveal the inadequate numbers to successfully defend the city  His plan was to reorganize the population of both Jerusalem & Judea 7:5

7. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  It was the 7th month (Tishri) when Nehemiah completed the census 7:73b  The month after completing the wall 6:15

8. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The remnant was blessed to have 2 very important men serving them  Nehemiah as their governor 5:14  Ezra as their “spiritual leader” Ezra 7:6, 10, 25  The remnant’s request indicates Ezra had made progress in his work 8:1a

9. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Ezra publicly reads the Law 8:1b-8  He brought the Law before the remnant… present were those who could listen with understanding v. 2  A podium was prepared for him v. 4  He read from early morning until midday… the people were attentive v. 3

10. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Ezra publicly reads the Law 8:1b-8  When he opened the book of the Law to read, the people stood v. 5  He “blessed the Lord, the great God”…the remnant replied, “Amen, Amen!” v. 6a  The remnant bowed low to worship v. 6b  His “rebuilding work” had borne fruit

11. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Ezra publicly reads the Law 8:1b-8  Levites were also present to help explain the book of the Law vv. 7-8  The goal was not just to publicly read  The goal was to “…give the sense so that they understood the reading”

12. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Reaction to the reading 8:9-12  When Ezra finished, the remnant was weeping and mourning v. 9  Possible reason for this sadness…  Most likely, they realized how much they had historically disappointed God with their sin cp. Mt 5:4

13. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  Reaction to the reading 8:9-12  Nehemiah & Ezra exhorted the people to rejoice and celebrate a festival…it was a “holy day to the Lord” vv. 9b-10  They were instructed to eat & drink…even share with them who had nothing…they understood the reading vv. 11-12

14. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The Feast Of Tabernacles 8:13-18  With the reading continuing the next day, it was discovered it was the time of year for the Feast Of Tabernacles vv. 13-14  The remnant proclaimed tents were to be made “…as it is written” v. 15

15. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The Feast Of Tabernacles 8:13-18  The remnant pitched their tents anywhere and everywhere in the city v. 16  The entire remnant participated v. 17a  The observance was unlike any since the days of Joshua the son of Nun…“there was great rejoicing” v. 17b

16. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The Feast Of Tabernacles 8:13-18  Harmonizing Ezra 3:1-4 and Neh 8:17  The remnant did observe this feast day some 90 years earlier  The difference had to be the manner or the spirit in which the remnant observed the festival

17. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The Feast Of Tabernacles 8:13-18  Harmonizing Ezra 3:1-4 and Neh 8:17  Remember Lev 23:39 & Deut 16:13-15  It was to be celebrated in a time of plenty when the crops had been harvested  How much harvest in Ezra 3:1-4?  What is implied in Neh 8:10a, 17?

18. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Building A “Community” Neh 7-8  The Feast Of Tabernacles 8:13-18  Following the feast, the remnant observed a solemn assembly v. 18

19. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …