A Broken Heart

Introduction:

Some 1,000 years after the time of Moses and some 400 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the nation of Israel is in a desperate state. The two nations (Israel to the north and Judah to the south) had been destroyed. Israel by the Assyrians and Judah by the Babylonians.

The holy city of Jerusalem was completely conquered by the Babylonians and the temple of Solomon was laid waste. They had also deported almost everyone from the city and region—for some 70 years, Jerusalem was something of a ghost town, with the potential to end up like many ancient cities—completely forgotten except to history.

Those exiles, now in Babylon, began to build lives for themselves. Started to settle down, and many of them still followed the God of their forefathers. Some of these faithful men were raised up to places of prominence in the governments… Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all became leaders in Babylon; Esther was made queen in the court of a Persian king.

Yet, after 70 years of captivity, the Jews were given the opportunity to return to their homeland. Out of some two or three million Jews deported from the land, only about 50,000 would decided to return. That is about 2% of them. But they did return, and under the governorship of Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple. And Ezra would come in and help with the Spiritual reform needed.

The book of Nehemiah begins 15 years after the book of Ezra ends; almost 100 years after the first captives came back to the Promised Land; and some 150 years after the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. All that time the walls of the city were still in a mess.

Before this, citizens of Jerusalem tried to rebuild the walls but failed. That was about 75 years before what takes place in Nehemiah. They were thwarted by their enemies. No one thought this obstacle could be overcome, so the walls lay in ruin and the people progressed in their sin.

vv.1-4) A tender heart and genuine concern

Nehemiah was in the place fortress at Susa, the capital of the great Persian Empire. Because of the warmer climate there, the kings of Persia spent their winter months at Susa. They spent summers at Ecbatana. Nehemiah being the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes his responsibility was to alway taste the wine being served to the king in order to protect the king from an attempt on his life.

This position was a very prominent, honored, responsible, and influential position from within the kingdom. Furthermore, the cupbearer had to be an honest and trustworthy man, a man in whom the king, quite literally, had to put his complete trust in. Because of this, the cupbearer would understandably become a trusted advisor to the king, which was apparently true with Nehemiah.

Our passage this morning took place in the month of Kislev (November-December), the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes I. Who ruled from 465-423 B.C. meaning this event occured in 445 B.C.

As we have read, while Nehemiah was serving in the palace at Susa, he was visited by his brother and a number of other men who had just made a trip to Judah. Interesting in the trip and the people who returned to Israel, Nehemiah questioned them. In response to Nehemiah’s question, the men unfortunately painted a dark, dismal picture. They were in deep trouble and severe distress and were bearing terrible afflictions.

They were being reproached and disgraced by the surrounding people and nations. In addition, the wall of Jerusalem had been torn down and the gates had been burning. Other Scriptures reveal the dreadful hardships those who returned were facing:

They were suffering an economic depression due to famine. Famine naturally causes hunger, disease, and eventually starvation, unless relief comes. It also brings a loss of income and jobs.

Nehemiah 5:1–3 NKJV

1 And there was a great outcry of the people and their wives against their Jewish brethren. 2 For there were those who said, “We, our sons, and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain, that we may eat and live.” 3 There were also some who said, “We have mortgaged our lands and vineyards and houses, that we might buy grain because of the famine.”

A large number of people were suffering oppression due to the greed of certain wealthy farmers and business owners. In order to buy food, some of the people had to mortgage their homes and fields. Others had to borrow money in order to pay their taxes. The wealthy loaned money to the people, but they acted greedily in their own self-interest. They were forcing the adults and their children into some form of slavery in order to pay off their debts.

Nehemiah 5:4–5 NKJV

4 There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.”

The people were suffering persecution in the form of anti-Semitism, ridicule, and harassment from their neighbors and other nationalities who surrounded them.

Above and beyond all their personally suffering, the people were truly defenseless against enemy attacks since their walls and gates were burned with fire.

Hearing this depressing news about his homeland broke Nehemiah’s heart. A genuine concern gripped his soul. He began to weep and morning over the severe distress of his people. Broken, Nehemiah began to fast and pray for many days interceding on their behalf. He didn’t just feel bad for Jerusalem and its people this was a real concern about them.

Just how many days is not given to us. But day after day he sought the Lord, asking the Lord to help his people through their dire circumstances.

Those living in Jerusalem never knew when they might be attacked. Every man lived in constant fear for his wife and children. The temple could be rebuilt, but never made beautiful, because anything valuable would be taken easily.

It really is no wonder that the people lived in constant distress, in constant reproach.

Application: God had so much more for his people. And for us this morning: God has more for us than to be mere survivors. God not only wants us to be conquerors, but more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

Romans 8:37 NKJV

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Any great work of God begins with God doing a great work in somebody.

God prepared this long before, with Nehemiah’s position as cupbearer, with a heart curious about the welfare of Jerusalem and its people. Now we see that he had a heart that broke for them.

God knew the need of His people in Israel. God would do something great to meet that need through Nehemiah, but need the right man to feel the need to intercede. This isn’t because God is powerless but the fact that God usually uses men to accomplish His righteous goals.

For Nehemiah, he wouldn’t be able to do this on his own. He needed to be a leader—one who influences other people—to get this job done.Nehemiah is a book all about leadership—something we obviously need today.

“There is no winning without warfare; there is no opportunity without opposition; there is no victory without vigilance. For when ever the people of God say, ‘Let us arise and build,’ Satan says, ‘Let me arise and oppose.’”–Redpath

Leaders also must have a vision, and Nehemiah had one. That through him, God was going to correct a problem that had been around for nearly 150 years.

What is so intense about this passage is that Nehemiah didn’t complain, “Who could fix this problem?” He immediately did what he knew he could do—pray, fast, and intensely seek God in this situation.

The God of heaven: He also had a clear understanding of Whom he fasted and prayed to. There are many “gods” people trusted in but only the God of heaven could really meet their needs… Nothing has changed today either. Only the God of heaven can meet your needs.

Application:

Nehemiah’s tender heart and deep concern for others were evident in his life by his actions. When others suffered, he was gripped by compassion for their welfare. So it must be with us family. When we see or hear about people in need, we must feel empathy. But even more important than just feeling for others, we must act.

Meeting the needs of others both at home and abroad… Allow the Lord to break your heart for people has He did for Nehemiah.

Matthew 25:35–40 NKJV

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Luke 10:33–34 NKJV

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Galatians 6:2 NKJV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

James 1:27 NKJV

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Warning:

1 John 3:17–18 NKJV

17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

vv. 5-11) Illustration of Christ’s intercession

What I love about this passage is that day after day Nehemiah knocked at the door of heaven, seeking the face of the Lord on behalf of the Jews who had returned to Judah. According to the model that Jesus later taught His followers, Nehemiah asked, sought, and knocked at the door of heaven. Scripture will reveal that he received what he asked for, found what he sought, and the door was open to him by the Lord:

Matthew 7:8 NKJV

8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Nehemiah became an intercessor, seeking the Lord on behalf of his people. There are twelves prayers recorded in this book, nine of which were offered up by Nehemiah himself.

This goes to show us that leaders need to be prayer warriors consistently praying for the people they are leading.

[5] Lets look at this more a bit more. Here in verse 5 Nehemiah firstly began his prayer by acknowledging God, praising Him for who He is and what He has done.

Nehemiah acknowledged God’s supremacy. “Lord God of Heaven.” God is supreme, sovereign over all the universe, all that is in heaven and earth. He rules and reigns over all.

Nehemiah addressed God as the “great and terrible [awe-provoking] God.” This refers to the power and majesty of God. Possessing all power and might. Possessing all glory and majesty. Being of complete perfection and holiness. God is totally set apart from all other beings.

Nehemiah also addressed the Lord as the “One who keeps His covenant with all who love Him and obey His commandments.” God always keeps His Word.

What we see here is that Nehemiah is Emphasizing God’s love for those who seek after Him, and Nehemiah indicated that he was going to cry out for the mercy of God on his people. The only question remaining was whether or not the people would turn to the Lord and obey Him. would they truly repent of their sins and keep His commandments?

[6-7] Secondly, Nehemiah identified with the people by confessing both their sins and his own before the Lord. He became an intercessor for the people before God.

Family, note this, that Nehemiah didn’t make this request only once. He sought God’s forgiveness day and night. He wasn’t general about the people’s sin either, meaning he wasn’t praying in generality. Rather he spelled out their sins. They had lived extremely wicked and corrupt lives, defiantly disobeying God’s Word.

We too are not told to pray generally to the Lord:

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

[8-10] Thirdly, Nehemiah pleaded for God’s mercy and help. He asked God to remember His Holy Word, the covenant he had made with His people. The covenant concerned sin and judgment. If the people sinned, they would suffer the hand of God’s judgement by being scattered among the nations, which is exactly what had happened. But the covenant also concerned repentance and obedience and the wonderful experience of God’s mercy and restoration.

This was the eternal promise of God. If the people would return to the Lord, they would be delivered from their deep distress and trouble. No doubt this is great power in prayer: to plead the promises of God. We might get annoyed when one of our children comes to us saying “But you promised.” Our Father in heaven delights in it.

Psalm 81:10 NKJV

10 I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

[11] The last thing we see here is that Nehemiah made a practical request of the Lord. He asked the Lord to make an opportunity for him to approach the king because he wanted to request the kings help.

Nehemiah was wanting to do something about the burden on his heart with Jerusalem’s walls and people, and without God’s intervention, he could do nothing.

Something else this prayer reveals about Nehemiah is that he is no sideline critic or backseat driver he was a proper man of action. He doesn’t pray “God, make it better” or “God, get someone to solve this problem.” His prayer is “ God, use me to make it better.”

“Recognition of need must be followed by earnest, persistent waiting upon the God until the overwhelming sense of world need becomes a specific burden in my soul for one particular piece of work which God would have me do.”–Redpath

“Laying the matter to heart, he did not being to speak with other people about what they would do, nor did he draw up a wonderful scheme about what might be done if so many thousand people joined in the enterprise; but it occurred to him that he would do something himself.”–Spurgeon

Application:

Nehemiah was a man who believed in prayer and who prayed often. We should too. After all God wants to have a real relationship with you. If prayer was important to Nehemiah and Christ it needs to be important for you and I. Come on out for our Wednesday night prayer study and our Friday night prayer meeting at the Hellman’s.

Pray with your believing coworkers before work. Call someone and pray with them. We got to be people of the Book, the Word of God, we must also be men and women of prayer.

Prayer is not something that I do; prayer is something that I am.

Warren W. Wiersbe

John 14:13–14 NKJV

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15:7 NKJV

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Matthew 6:9–13 NKJV

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

21  Churches can run without prayer. Whole denominations can run without prayer. The question is: Is what they’re doing worth doing if they can do it without prayer?

Ben Patterson

Deepening Your Conversation with God (1991)

Ben Patterson

In his prayer, Nehemiah illustrated the coming intercession of Jesus Christ. That is, Nehemiah stood in the gap between his people and the Lord. Nehemiah became the intercessor, the representative of the Jews who wised to plead their case for the Lord, whether they knew it or not.

This is exactly what Jesus has done for us. Jesus is our Intercessor, our Representative, our Advocate who presents our case before the God. When we turn to Jesus with any distress or trouble, Christ presents our need to the Father. and the Father hears the plea of Christ on our behalf.

Through Christ we can receive forgiveness of sins and be given a victorious, triumphant life (Notice that I didn’t say easy). The power to conquer all the trials and hardships of life can be obtained only through Jesus.

Hebrews 2:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:21–22 NKJV

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Communion:

This morning we get to celebrate the death burial and resurrection of Christ. We get to partake of holy communion together. After all without the sacrifice of Christ we would not be able to have a relationship with God. We would not be forgiven our sins, and would still find ourselves under the righteous wrath of God.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Prayer in the back