Expect and Attempt - Survey of Nehemiah

NEHEMIAH

Introduction:

Central Message: Expect Great Things. Attempt Great Things.

Key Passages: 1:4-6 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants

Summary: The book of Nehemiah is actually the 2nd book of Ezra and first given a separate name by Jerome in the 4th Century. It is one story led into two books concerning the return, rebuilding of both the Temple and walls of Jerusalem. It is a story of a mighty leader raised up by God to accomplish the restoration of Jerusalem in 52 days by humble and determined group of people. There are struggles, enemies, examples, and wonderful lessons for any man or

woman willing to follow the Lord in difficult times.

Nehemiah (the Lord comforts) is the main character. He is the Persian King’s cupbearer in city of Susa in the year 444 BC who seeks to restore his homeland. He is the perfect person to accomplish God’s will to end the Babylon Captivity. The purpose is to record events of the return to rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem for God’s chosen people.

Writer: Ezra written 460-440BC. Nehemiah may have helped.

Date of Events for Nehemiah: (445-423BC) – 21yrs.

Themes:

1. The Lord hears the prayers of His people.

2. Leadership is absolutely necessary in rebuilding any endeavor.

3. God will support His people so they do not need to be anxious.

4. Worship with giving is at the center of God’s people response to God.

5. God’s people must always be aware of their own depravity.

Quotation: Prayer is always practical and apprehends the actual and final forces. Prayer ever demands action which is in harmony with its desires. In all our endeavors, prayer is our first and principal line of activity. But more is necessary. God expects our co-operation. He will touch the heart of the king, but Nehemiah must make his venture. G. Campbell Morgan

Interesting Facts:

1. Divine working is seen in Gentile kings: Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes; and Jewish leaders: Haggai, Zechariah, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Ezra, Nehemiah.

2. All three books represent a wide difference in opinion about crucial matters. In Ezra, trusting God requires that God’s people travel through dangerous territory without a royal escort. In Nehemiah, the offer of a royal escort is taken as evidence of God’s blessing. Ezra represents what might be called “idealistic faith,” while Nehemiah practices “pragmatic faith.” In Esther, God’s hand is hidden, revealed primarily in Esther’s shrewd use of her wits and position. We could call hers a “clever faith.”

3. Each leader has a different problem, and it is solved different ways. Sometimes trusting in God means not relying on human help.

4. The 70yr. Babylonian Captivity either 605-535BC noting the Returns; 586-516BC for Temple destruction/rebuild. (Jer.25:11; Dan.9:2; Zec.1:12)

The Persian Empire at the time of Nehemiah – 445BC ESV

Detailed Book Outline (ESV)

1. Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem to Rebuild Its Walls (1:1–2:20)

A. Nehemiah learns of Jerusalem’s dilapidation (1:1–11)

B. Nehemiah gets permission to return to inspects Jerusalem’s walls (2:1–16)

C. First signs of opposition (2:17–20)

2. The Wall Is Built, Despite Difficulties (3:1–7:4)

A. The people work systematically on the walls (3:1–32)

B. Opposition intensifies, but the people continue watchfully (4:1–23)

C. Nehemiah deals with injustices; personal contribution to the project (5:1–19)

D. A conspiracy against Nehemiah, but the wall is finished (6:1–7:4)

3. A Record of Those Who Returned from Exile (7:5–73)

4. The Reading of the Law, and Covenant Renewal (8:1–10:39)

A. The law is read (8:1–8); The people are to be joyful (8:9–12)

B. The people keep the Feast of Booths (8:13–18)

C. A prayer of confession, penitence, and covenant commitment (9:1–38)

D. Signatories and specific commitments (10:1–39)

5. The Population of Jerusalem and Villages; Priests and Levites (11:1–12:43)

A. Those who lived in Jerusalem and the villages of Judah (11:1–36)

B. High priests and leading Levites since the time of Zerubbabel (12:1–26)

C. Dedication of the walls (12:27–43)

6. Nehemiah Deals with Problems in the Community (12:44–13:31)

A. The administration of offerings for the temple (12:44–47)

B. Ejection of Tobiah the Ammonite from the temple (13:1–9)

C. Dealing with the offerings (13:10–14); with Sabbath breaking (13:15–22)

D. The problem of intermarriage again (13:23–29); Summary (13:30–31)

Simple Outline

1. Restoration of the W________ (1-7)

2. Reformation of the Law & C_____________ (8-13)

Overview: When God burdens the heart, the first and continuous response is prayer, next to plan, and then to prosper.

Sermon: Expect and Attempt

Expect Great things from God. Attempt Great things for God. Carey

1. First to ______________ (Neh.1)

2. next to_____________ (Neh.2)

3. then to ________________ (Neh.2-6)