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Home , Book of Nehemiah

THE STUDY OF Introduction

This devotion themed“Rebuild”, focuses on the book of Nehemiah in the , which chronicles the memoirs of Nehemiah, a Jewish leader. The book of Nehemiah is about the project of rebuilding the broken walls of the city of , in a record 52 days!

The children of Israel had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians. In the days of Daniel – 605 B.C, Ezekiel – 597 B.C and King Zedekiah – 586 B.C. ( 126). After 70 years, God allowed them to return to freedom in Jerusalem in three trips (Psalms 137). The 1st trip led by and Joshua and it took place under the reign of King Cyrus in 538 BC They reconstructed the Temple which was completed and dedicated in 516 BC. led the 2nd trip in 458 BC in the second year of king Artaxerxes. As a scribe, his mandate was to reconstruct worship by teaching the law of God. The 3rd trip was led by years later in the 20th year of king Artaxerxes. God had laid a burden in his heart to reconstruct the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah wrote this book for the Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem from exile. He writes giving a very predictable time of his period in exile. The other books around the same time in history with a similar beginning are Ezra, and Zechariah. Nehemiah’s mission was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He was a Jew born in Persia during the Exile and was a cupbearer to Persia’s king Artaxerxes. He lived and walked by faith and the fruits of his faith were evident through His bold actions.

Nehemiah was deeply troubled by the news that Jerusalem, the city of God lay in ruins. He not only set out to do something about it, but challenged his fellow countrymen to rise up and join him in this divine rebuilding project. Nehemiah’s destiny was intertwined with that of Ezra, the teacher of the word of God. While Nehemiah was called to rebuild the physical walls of Jerusalem, Ezra was called to build the spiritual walls of the people of Jerusalem. A historical perspective shows that at a point, books of Ezra and Nehemiah were bound as one.

This book takes us through Nehemiah’s journey of submitting to God’s will, leadership, resolute pursuit and obedience to God’s vision and purpose. We learn of his unrelenting focus in executing God’s will and the opposition he encountered. We see the victory in the restoration and dedication of Jerusalem as God’s holy city and it becoming a beacon of light among its ungodly neighbors and a city set apart for God’s glory and honor – both physically and spiritually. Reference: , 12:1 - 26

Icebreaker: Would you take the option of putting on hold your career, status or relations in order to benefit more people? Why or why not?

Summary: Jerusalem was a large and sparsely populated city (:4 & 73) where the provincial leaders and a tenth of all the people cast lots to move to after being rebuilt. Others willingly volunteered to settle in the city while the rest of the people settled comfortably according

MONDAY to their ancestral land divisions in their towns and villages from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. This was both in and Benjamin. Those who volunteered to settle were commended for it.In Matthews 19:29-30, Jesus commends those who have put the work of God ahead of their own interest. Those in the city served in various roles such as administration, temple ministry, music, security and as the king’s agent (10-24). God invites us to serve each other with the gifts we have as faithful stewards (1 Peter 4: 10). In writing the history, Nehemiah followed the line of the high priests; the list starts with Joshua who returned with Zerrubabel to who was the high priest at Nehemiah’s time (: 1-26). God keeps a record of our good work and our work in Him is never in vain. (1 Corinthians 15: 58)

Reflection Questions 1. What was the criteria of choosing those who would live in Jerusalem after the reconstruction? 2. What have you learnt from today’s reading about the joy of serving others sacrificially? 3. What is God calling you to sacrificially give up to serve Him?

Prayer Meditate on today’s reading and pray asking God to make clear any areas that you have been burdened about and what sacrificial role you could play in being part of the answer to this prayer and concern.

Bible Reference: Nehemiah 12:27-36

Icebreaker: When was the last time you dedicated the completion of a significant project? What was the project?

Summary: When the wall was finally completed, a time was set to dedicate it and two important things happened during the dedication. First, was thanksgiving – Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication joyfully singing songs of thanksgiving with music of cymbals, harps and lyres. Singers were also brought in from the regions TUESDAY and villages around Jerusalem. Second, the priests and Levites purified themselves ceremonially WEDNESDAY men (Psalm 116:17,2Corinthians). 8:1-7 fellow and our God giving to sacrificial God’s through for showing gratitude and goodness always acknowledging aculture ofthanksgiving, embrace them had enabled us to Let do. God day,special gave much more all of for thanthanksgiving the asacrifice they people usually as did (Psalms this 126: 1-3). On in excellence. His of the people His inhabits praises He presence as joins us when Him worship with we God’s and music (1Chronicles God 25:1,6,Psalm glory 34:1).It pleases them with instruments andthe equipped musicians time best inthe full employees temple as for the This temple. traditionof excellence in David. King He had worshipits music in root recognized sang and greatly They gates. various heardbe from and rejoiced could afar,as they converged at the walland and along at worship the praise of directions songs opposite singing on procession akey played Two and music role. the dedication of walland its ina off choirs set thanksgiving be full of thanksgiving, purifying ourselves unto God. ourselves purifying ofthanksgiving, full be Fountain gate and the Water shouldalways we to believers gate the proceeding As before temple. through the passing gate, Dung the 36)moving clockwise (vs. by Ezra led the was of Part procession gate. theat began valley gates the and theprocession wall.The grand then the they people, cleansed Reflection Questions Summary: Icebreaker: Bible Reference: Him yourselfto and His to you work. and dedicate Take time give to all thanks that for He God you. to for has done Ask Him cleanse to and purify Prayer Reflection Questions 3. 2. 1. 3. 2. 1. Based on 2 Corinthians on of as a form thanksgiving? give 8:7, how sacrificially willBased you (Refer to Luke 19:37-40) What attitude kindof appreciates spirit our talent? think or you inmusic: God do Why? What instrument unique musical and worship? like inpraise you incorporated would abeliever,As what different and His do work? will you God fullydedicated to be to wall. What from learn this? you do was key ofdedication the to person each ofthe purification by accompanied Thanksgiving What the Levites? stands out about Nehemiah and the Israelite organized an all-out leaders celebration for the completion Name your favorite worship song. Why is it special you? to Nehemiah 12:37-47 Prayer Pray that you will remember to count your blessings in all circumstances. With thanksgiving, worship in music and give sacrificially.

Bible Reference: Nehemiah 13:1-14

Icebreaker: Have you ever been caught on the wrong side of the law by the police? What happened?

Summary: After Nehemiah went back to in the 32nd year of king Artaxerxes reign, the Israelites started drifting back to their wicked ways. When Eliashib was the high priest, a series of compromises weakened the people’s commitment to worship God and gradually led to utter neglect of the house of God. Eliashib had compromised God’s word, which had forbidden the Ammonites and Moabites from being admitted to the assembly of God. Confession of sin is good, THURSDAY but it must be followed by repentance i.e. the willingness and the resolve to change. This happens when the heart is yielded to God in surrender. You cannot change what you condone, rationalize and tolerate. Eliashib failed to cut his link with as well as did some leaders who entertained Sanballat by rationalizing the marriage bond to their kins. This was contrary to God’s word. Sin never remains small. It grows, enslaves and consumes. Corruption is the subversion of justice by misuse of ones’ position in office for personal gain. When Nehemiah came back, he was shocked to find that worship of God had stopped due to corruption, compromise and sin which had engulfed the temple. He rebuked and removed the officials and replaced them with trustworthy ones.

Reflection Questions 1. What comes to your mind when you read this phrase, “corruption is evil”? 2. Do you have a “Tobiah or Sanballat” in your life? What is God telling you to do about them? 3. In your closet, what sinful thing do you find difficult to part with? Yield your heart to God in repentance and turn away from it. Trust in God alone.

Prayer Think about what you may have condoned or compromised and accommodated in your life that is leading you to neglect God. Ask God to forgive you and to give you strength and courage to throw it out.

FRIDAY will lead believers away believers will lead from God. (2Corinthiansbelievers 6:14 ). Thisof kind relationship business (friendship,or work relationships) astray. led was way with unequally King yoked to Solomon not are non- Believers be warned also themcautioned that the foreign the women will lead men away Judah the of same from God this meant they understand scripture not could (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)hence insin. Nehemiah lived inNehemiahmade aresult, their children 10:30.As the and language Judah speak of not could gave ( Moses Nehemiah saw how the also men foreign had Judah married of women contravening the law God God. time with to spend and the rest time we’ve set righteously are we to guard the Levites, The Levitesguard themselves purified and at stood the gates to keepSabbath Holy. the day Like until over. it was opened to and not the on be Sabbath evening before for the gates closed to be fell the on Israelites and they were taken into (Nehemiah captivity gave 9:29-30).He instructions daySabbath and reminded them that their hence the ancestors wrath thing, God of the did same returnees had entered into in :31.Nehemiah the rebuked for desecrating the nobles day. the intrade on Sabbath engaged also inJerusalem lived a Thisviolationof was the covenant the hence (Deuteronomy 5:14).People from intrade, by breaking Tyre engaging Moses the of Law who Icebreaker: Bible Reference: Pray and ask help to you reach those to God out who are living in sin around you. Prayer 3. 2. 1. Reflection Questions Summary: in sin. What are to doing reach you out to are who those living insinaround you? him seek or livingconfrontingevildo Nehemiah,see to of who we those Throughoutbook the consistent be you time your with inhonoring God. consistent inresting Like time Nehemiah measures and spending with set to did, God? help What have excuses or reasons come upwith you that have to you interfered be not caused or What steps Nehemiah did take to restore day the Sabbath and to with deal intermarriages? Nehemiah sawhow the returnees day the were Sabbath living inJerusalem desecrating ). This was also a direct violationof adirect the Deuteronomy 7:1-3).Thisalso commitmentwas they had What is your of your childhood? earliest memory Nehemiah 13:15-31 Key Thought for the Week

“…Remember me with favour, my God.” (Nehemiah 13:31)

Prayer of Salvation

Lord Jesus, I come to You to confess that I have sinned. I have not obeyed you and instead, I have led my life as I thought best and as it pleased me. Forgive me of my sin and come into my heart. Take charge of my life from this day onwards. I believe You sent Your Son to die and pay for my sins. I receive Your gift of salvation and make You Lord and Savior of my life today. Write my name in the Lamb’s book of life and make my life new again. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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