Divine Discontent: Nehemiah 3

Introduction

Divine Discontent Recap: Where we are in the book of Nehemiah

Chapter 1: Stirred

Chapter 2: Dependence in Action and .....

Chapter 3: Community in Motion

Where we see Nehemiah’s plan not only begin to take shape, but the community of God’s chosen people bind together and accomplish something bigger than themselves, the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Wall.

About Walls (and Gates?)

It seems like the topic of walls is coming up a lot recently and its interesting that the timing of this sermon coincides with some of the events taking place within our country. I’m not here to make political commentary. My role this morning is to step into the scripture with you and walk through this passage in a thoughtful manner. My earnest desire is that you will walk away from the sermon this morning understanding what God was up to as he revealed Himself to His people those many years ago, and how this same revelation applies to us today. Because, at its core, the Bible is primarily that: God’s revelation of himself (His nature and character) to his people. More on this later....

First, to understand what is going on here, we are going to have to roll up our sleeves a bit and do the hard work of a bit of background study.

Ancient Text = Ancient Culture = Hard Work

Walls in the ANE

Not going to bore you with how walls were constructed, stacked and cemented together.

Instead: Purpose of typical ANE Wall

Physical Defense: ANE cultures built walls as a sign of self- sufficiency. Patted themselves on their back. Strength and security in walls. Exclusive hubris and pride. Think Jericoh

ANE cultures built walls and relies on themselves. Patted themselves on their back. Strength and security in walls. Exclusive huberis and pride. Manipulation and containment of deity, perhaps if I impress them enough they will claim this city for their own and bless us above other cities.

Spiritual Manipulation: Containment of deity, perhaps if I impress them enough they will claim this city for their own and bless us above other cities. Sacrifice mixed into wall upon completion.

Something different happening in Israel,

Physical Defense- Evident from chapter

Invitation - It’s not about the Walls, its about the Gates (Allude to then tell story)

During my time in Aberdeen....

Paint a picture of Eschatological Vision of Sacred Space of the Temple (from Promised Land->Jerusalem-> Temple) and how walls marked off sacred space

In fact, just 60 years previous, they completed the Temple and the Prophet Zechariah spoke these words, words in line with several other prophetic utterances concerning the open invitation for all nations to come and worship Yahweh.

(List other verses for reference)

Zechariah 8:20–23 ESV

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”

So we cannot forget, this building project we are going to be reading about today was never about the wall itself , it was always about something bigger, someone bigger.

Hermeneutical Paradigm

What in the world do I do when I come to texts like this?

3 Important Questions:

What is the text revealing about

Who God is/ What is he revealing about Himself in this story?

Nehemiah’s Prayers:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

O Lord, llet your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And the king granted me what I asked, hfor the good hand of my God was upon me.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

18 And I told them vof the hand of my God that had been upon me for good

Story of Nehemiah, isn’t really about Nehemiah or even the people of Israel, it is about Yahweh doing what he promised to do, being his people back from the Diaspora, and all of this indicates his faithfulness will continue .

Power

Challenge: Where has there been a time where God’s faithfulness revealed in your life?

Personal Illustration/ Melodie Sickness?

God’s Desire for His People/ His Purpose for Us Together

All in

English Standard Version Chapter 2

wSo they strengthened their hands for the good work

Building Verbs and diagram

Think about what this must have been like friends, neighbors all workin together for something bigger than themselves, for Someone bigger than themselves.

Practically bound the community together, not only their own houses or tribes but the fixing of the wall, the together effort, reestablished national ties that had been lost at exile.

Life Groups Here at Fellowship

Practically bound the community together, not only their own houses or tribes but the fixing of the wall, the together effort, reestablished national ties that had been lost at exile.

His Purpose for Us as Individuals

To use us , for us not to miss out on the movement of the Holy Spirit

English Standard Version Chapter 4

4 tHear, O our God, for we are despised. uTurn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 vDo not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

No matter what you gifting, talents, social position, God desires your service

3 Applications

No matter what you gifting, talents, social position, God desires your service

Never about the individual, this is literally kingdom work

Think about what this must have been like friends, neighbors all workin together for something bigger than themselves, for Someone bigger than themselves.

When was the last time you were involved in something like this? Part of something bigger? As an act of worship?

Practically bound the community together, not only their own houses or tribes but the fixing of the wall, the together effort, reestablished national ties that had been lost at exile.

What history have you lost, personal, relational, community? How is God calling you to be involved in something to recapture this. We can’t do do it on our own. Where are you called to serve? Here, outside? Already serving? Non prof? Kaila H?