1. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …

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

3. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Repentance = somewhat of a “process”  Very rarely does it occur instantly  Sometimes, it takes time to bring people around through convincing Bible teaching  We’re not dealing with raw materials in a manufacturing process…we’re dealing with people in emotional situations

4. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Repentance = somewhat of a “process”  The demands of repentance may even be requiring people to leave life-long relationships v. 44  It will take gentleness & patience in trying to convince some of their need to repent 2 Tim 2:24-26

5. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Help for elders & local churches  Bringing people to repentance often involves emotional situations requiring some “investigation”  Sometimes, it takes time to sift through details impacting the situation to arrive at the necessary Biblical solution

6. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Help for parents & their children  It is critical to marry someone that meets with God’s approval  Parents must stress to their children the importance of dating & marrying someone who will help them faithfully serve God according to His word Deut 7:4

7. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Points To Remember When Coming To Nehemiah’s Portion Of This Story  It had been 91 years since Zerubbabel led the 1st return Ezra 2  It had been 71 years since the temple had been completed Ezra 6:15  It had been 13 years since Ezra led the 2nd return Ezra 7:8

8. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Points To Remember When Coming To Nehemiah’s Portion Of This Story  Despite this passage of time, the remnant was still struggling…“mightily”  The people were in distress & reproach  Without walls, evidence of the destruction from Nebuchadnezzar still existed  The city had no sense of permanence

9. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Points To Remember When Coming To Nehemiah’s Portion Of This Story  The remnant’s first 2 returns had focused on spiritual necessities  Nehemiah will deal with physical concerns  The situation was bleak…somebody had to do something  Nehemiah would be that “Somebody”

10. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  His story begins in the 20th year of Artaxerxes I v. 1 445 B.C.  It is the month Chislev [our December]  Nehemiah receives a visit vv. 2-3  He asks his brother Hanani about the condition of the remnant & Jerusalem

11. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah receives a visit vv. 2-3  Hanani informs Nehemiah… …the remnant is in distress, reproach …the city walls were broken down and the gates were burned with fire

12. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah receives a visit vv. 2-3  How long had such distress existed?  Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed Jerusalem and the walls in 586 B.C. 2 Chron 36:19  Efforts were begun to repair the walls early in the reign of Artaxerxes I Ezra 4:12

13. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah receives a visit vv. 2-3  How long had such distress existed?  It had been at least 140 years since the walls were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar  It had been no more than 20 years since the Jews’ efforts were halted

14. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah’s reaction vv. 4-11a  His initial response v. 4  He “sat down…wept & mourned for days”  He “fasted & prayed” about it  He was grief-stricken  He was already planning something  He was going to seek God’s favor

15. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah’s reaction vv. 4-11a  His prayer vv. 5-11a  Praise for God’s greatness v. 5 [God’s greatness & ability should give us confidence to approach Him] Lk 18:27 Heb 4:16 1 Pet 5:7  A request to be heard v. 6a

16. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah’s reaction vv. 4-11a  His prayer vv. 5-11a  Confession of sin vv. 6b-7  A request for God to remember His promise to Israel re: her return vv. 8-10 cp. Lev 26:33 Deut 29:18 – 30:10

17. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah’s reaction vv. 4-11a  His prayer vv. 5-11a  Specifically, a request for help through God’s providence in granting him compassion “…before this man” v. 11a [i.e. Artaxerxes I ]

18. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah’s position v. 11b  He served the king as cupbearer  Task was to taste the king’s drink to ensure he would not be poisoned  He had frequent access to the throne… his position was one of personal trust  A position of immense responsibility

19. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Nehemiah Is Distraught Neh 1  Nehemiah’s position v. 11b  He served the king as cupbearer  As royal officers, some cupbearers also served as personal advisors to the king  Given the mention of Nehemiah’s wealth, it apparently was a lucrative position Neh 5

20. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …