Nehemiah 2:11-20

“Nehemiah, as ever, is a model of good sense, piety and attention to detail. For all his speed and drive, he does not rush into action (11) or into talk (12).”

Nehemiah, as ever, is a model of good sense, piety and attention to detail. For all his speed and drive, he does not rush into action (11) or into talk (12).

Kidner, Derek. Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 12. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.

A Man with a Plan

Introduction

It has been said many a time, “Most people don’t plan to fail, they simply fail to plan!”

I concur with the adage at the defense of most men and people! in many businesses, the leaders really don’t start the business with intentions of failing and not succeeding. There is simply and a failure to plan.

This is not the case with Nehemiah. Nehemiah, had a plan, and a great plan for construction it was.

And so the purpose of the message today…if you don’t know the plan God has for your life…let’s begin today finding out what that plan is for you specifically, and know in a general sense, the plan is ultimately to bring God glory through our lives.

Point #1 Nehemiah’s examination (2:11–16)

Nehemiah conducts a nighttime survey to inspect Jerusalem’s wall. Keeping in mind, Nehemiah is not one to rush into action, nor talk.

The Outline Bible Section Outline One (Nehemiah 1-3)

A. Nehemiah’s examination (2:11–16): Nehemiah conducts a nighttime survey to inspect Jerusalem’s wall.

B. Nehemiah’s exhortation (2:17–20)

1. The report (2:17): Nehemiah calls a meeting of the Jewish leaders and informs them of the terrible condition of the city’s wall.

2. The recommendation (2:17–18): Nehemiah urges the leaders to begin the task of rebuilding the wall.

3. The response (2:18): The leaders cry out, “Good! Let’s rebuild the wall!”

4. The ridicule (2:19): Sanballat, Tobiah, and an Arab named Geshem scoff at Nehemiah’s plan, seeing it as rebellion against the king.

5. The rebuke (2:20): Nehemiah assures the three men that the wall will indeed be rebuilt without their help.

PointNehemiah’s examination (2:11–16): Nehemiah conducts a nighttime survey to inspect Jerusalem’s wall.

The Vision (2:11-12)

heart (internal feature) n. — the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) understood as the heart

heart (internal feature) n. — the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) understood as the heart

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

You can’t share your vision with any and everybody.

A. Nehemiah’s examination (2:11–16): Nehemiah conducts a nighttime survey to inspect Jerusalem’s wall.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Some people will try and talk you out of the vision God has given you.

Some people will try and discourage you from the vision.

Vision and purpose are intertwined, connected!

The Inspection (2:13-16)

Point #2 Nehemiah’s exhortation (2:17–20)

The report (2:17a): Nehemiah calls a meeting of the Jewish leaders and informs them of the terrible condition of the city’s wall.

The recommendation (2:17b–18a): Nehemiah urges the leaders to begin the task of rebuilding the wall.

18a - the hand of God was on Nehemiah!

The response (2:18b): The leaders cry out, “Good! Let [us] rebuild the wall!”

Nehemiah did not believe in a one-man ministry [team]; he challenged the leaders of the remnant to work with him (not for him) in repairing the walls.

The motive? “That we may no longer be a reproach.” He was concerned with the glory of God as well as the good of the nation.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993. Print.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993. Print.

The ridicule (2:19): Sanballat, Tobiah, and an Arab named Geshem scoff at Nehemiah’s plan, seeing it as rebellion against the king.

The rebuke (2:20): Nehemiah assures the three men that the wall will indeed be rebuilt without their help.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993. Print.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print.