Bible Study - Nehemiah (1) - Pray - Nehemiah 1 vs 1-11 - July 22, 2018

Bible Study – Nehemiah (1) – Pray – July 22, 2018

This is lesson one (1) in our new series entitled “Nehemiah: Building a Life of Service.”

Our focus scripture is Nehemiah 1:1-11.

Pour out your heart to GOD in prayer.

For the next six weeks we will study the book of Nehemiah. It is a beautiful picture of GOD’S love for HIS chosen people. All people are GOD’S chosen people. HE chose to reveal Himself through Abraham and the Israelite's first but to all people through HIS only Son, JESUS.

The historical study of the rebuilding of the walls surrounding Jerusalem gives us a beautiful picture of the rebuilding of lives that have been destroyed as the result of sin. Let’s explore!

Prayer is vital both for the Christian and the non-Christian. Prayer is talking to GOD and listening to HIS response. All humans can talk to GOD and seek HIS guidance to truth and salvation, which is HIS only Son, JESUS. The ultimate truth is that JESUS was and is GOD’S only SON, Who willingly came to earth in the flesh to be born and live as 100% human. 

JESUS was fully capable of sinning but HE remained sinless. Yet, HE was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted. HIS sinless life qualified HIM to be the perfect, acceptable sacrifice, to GOD, to pay in full, for the sin of mankind. JESUS opened the path between HIM and GOD when HE gave HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood on the cross. But every person must personally accept JESUS as his or her Savior. When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior believing that JESUS died for his or sins and asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sin; HE does and that triggers the miracle of rebirth in that person’s spirit. The miracle of rebirth in confirmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when that person is born-again in his or her spirit. 

This Spiritual rebirth eternally changes the person’s spirit to Spirit which will live eternally with GOD and confirms that he or she is a child of GOD. Every born-again believer at that instant has eternal life, which will never be lost. Once GOD'S Son or Daughter, always GOD'S Son or Daughter. Never forget that! Trust your relationship with GOD through your faith in JESUS even in the darkest times in your life. GOD will never leave you or forsake you! Count on it!

How do we know that? JESUS lived and died as 100% human but GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to be the example and confirmation that JESUS paid the penalty for sin, in full, for all who will place their faith in JESUS. There is no other way to satisfy the penalty for sin. No person can be good enough, work hard enough or give enough to satisfy the debit for sin, which is eternal death.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, the debit for sin for each person who will place his or her faith in HIM. What does that do for that person? In the twinkling of the eye his or her sins are forgiven and he or she receives eternal life, which can only come through faith in JESUS.

How do we know that? JESUS was resurrected from being physically dead after HIS crucifixion. GOD raised JESUS, HIS only Son, from the physically dead to receive HIS Glorified body as GOD’S example to all humans. What do we, as humans, with the freewill to choose need to do? 

Every person has a choice to either accept or reject JESUS as his or her Savior. This is GOD’S free gift to all mankind.

John 3:16-18 expresses the love of GOD to all mankind:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

Now is your opportunity to accept JESUS as your Savior. Will you? My prayer is that you will. Don’t try to understand it but take a step of faith and trust JESUS as your Savior by asking HIM to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart. When the Holy Spirit comes into your heart, HE will give you the understanding and assurance you need.

Living the Christian life is a Spiritual journey designed to build an intimate, loving, personal relationship through faith in JESUS with GOD. There will be times of peace and trouble but always with GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, being with you.

We can read of the history of GOD’S chosen people, the Israelites and for many Christians get a picture of our Spiritual journey. Even though Christians journey through life with Spiritual ups and downs, the net result is onward and upward as we continue to trust JESUS.

This does not mean that all of our life’s journey will be easy.

Who was Nehemiah? GOD places those HE calls at the right place at the right time with the desire to obediently serve HIM. Let’s explore!

After the reign of King Solomon, Israel was divided into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Israel lasted about 200 years. In 722 B.C. Israel was conquered by Assyria and the Jews were scattered to other areas of the Assyrian Empire. Judah lasted until 587 B.C. until it was conquered by Babylon. The Babylonians took about 10,000 Jews back to Babylon as exiles. They were allowed to remain together as a Jewish community. GOD always spares a remnant.

Then in 539 B.C. the Babylon Empire was conquered by Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire. GOD orchestrated all of this. Cyrus was a wise and humane leader who wanted loyal subjects. So with the “Edict of Cyrus” declared in 539 B.C. the Jewish leaders could return home/Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. Many Jews responded to this opportunity but life was difficult. The temple was rebuilt but fell back into ruins because of raiders destroying it.

In 458 B.C. King Artaxerxes sent Ezra to Judah to repair and renovate the temple and reestablish the sacrificial system. Ezra was a priest and a scribe.

The temple was reestablish for worship but when the people tried to rebuild the walls surrounding the temple the neighboring community took it as a sign of they were preparing for rebellion. King Artaxerxes ordered the rebuilding of the walls to stop. Not only did the work stop but what had been completed was torn down.

Who could GOD call to take on such a rebuilding task? GOD call Nehemiah to complete the task. Nehemiah arrived in Judah about 27 years after the Temple’s rededication and 13 years after Ezra began his ministry, which was 445 B.C. Who was Nehemiah? Had he even been to Jerusalem before going there to accomplish an awesome task?

With this background let’s back up to see the hand of GOD at work. 

Nehemiah could not see it. He had to trust GOD when he could not see the conclusion but we get to see GOD at work and the conclusion. As Christians, we must trust GOD when HE calls us to be obedient to HIS calling and trust HIS conclusion to that which HE has called us.  

Let’s read Nehemiah 1:1-3:

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa,

The time period is roughly between mid-November and mid-December 446 B.C. Nehemiah was with King Artaxerxes at the winter place for the Persian kings which was located in Susa, which we know today as southwestern Iran. We also know this area regarding Esther and the vision of Daniel in chapter 8.

News from Jerusalem

2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had returned from exile. 

3 They said to me, "The survivors in the province, who returned from the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem's wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down."

Hanani is recorded as one of Nehemiah’s brothers. Speculation is that Hanani was actually Nehemiah’s blood brother who was part of their delegation coming from Jerusalem to report on the status of the rebuilding efforts. Nehemiah was deeply interested in their report and progress.

When the delegation gave their report it broke Nehemiah’s heart.

When our hearts are broken to whom do we turn? Let’s read on to see to Whom Nehemiah turned ---

Often, when we hear a report of a fellow Christian brother or sister who has been attacked by our defeated enemy Satan, what is our reaction? In essence, the Spiritual walls to his or her life have been breached and the gates to his or her life have been destroyed. As Christians, what should our reaction be?

Often, when fellow brothers or sisters in CHRIST open up their lives to Satan through sin realize what they have done, they attempt to rebuild their relationship with GOD/JESUS on their own. But the forces of evil in their lives keep them discouraged and defeated with such notions as “GOD/JESUS does not love you any longer.” As Christians, does such Spiritual conditions lead us to turn away from the fellow Christian who has fallen into sin or lead us to ask “LORD what would YOU have us to do?” What should our first response be? This is true when Spiritual issues impact individuals or the church.

As Christians called to such a ministry, we must keep an eye upon ourselves as recorded in Galatians 6:1:

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also. 

Let’s read on --

Let’s read Nehemiah 1:4-7:

Nehemiah's Prayer

4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 

5 I said, Lord God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands, 

6 let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear Your servant's prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both I and my father's house have sinned. 

7 We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses. 

The report of the delegation from Jerusalem broke Nehemiah’s heart. A broken heart is one thing but what we can do about a situation is another. Nehemiah immediately went before GOD. This situation was huge but the One True GOD he served was the One Who had the power to resolve the issues.

Nehemiah’s first response was to confess his sins and the sins of the Jewish nation. This shows humility and acknowledgement that sin is a barrier to having the right relationship with GOD. Nehemiah did not want any barriers to exist between him and GOD.

This is what our faith relationship in JESUS does between us, as Christians, and GOD. Through our faith relationship in JESUS all Christians can come into the very throne room of GOD and call HIM Father or even more intimately, “Daddy.” GOD is still at work just as powerful since the beginning. Do we, as Christians, believe it? If not we need to confess it and seek HIS forgiveness. That is the right beginning for Christians to come into the presence of GOD to seek HIS help.

Is GOD interested in the issues that come into our lives as HIS Children? You bet! Often, issues come into our lives to bring us closer to HIM. In our scripture, we see that Nehemiah’s immediate response was to reach out to GOD. Why? It is because HE trusted GOD and knew GOD to be all powerful and all knowing.

Does this mean that the call GOD issued to Nehemiah would be easy? NO!

Let’s read Nehemiah 1:8-11:

8 Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: "[If] you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. 

9 But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell."

10 They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed [them] by Your great power and strong hand. 

11 Please, Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, and have compassion on him in the presence of this man. [At the time,] I (Nehemiah) was the king's cupbearer.

I used to pray with a friend who prayed with his Bible at his hand. He would remind GOD of HIS promises or covenants that HE had made. This is what Nehemiah was doing. He reminded GOD of the words HE spoke to Moses. GOD’S promises and covenants are eternal unless exceeded by even better promises or covenants. Let’s read this scripture again.

GOD’S Word never changes. So why remind GOD of HIS promises or covenants? It is for us and not for HIM.

Nehemiah was planning to approach the king that day. He asked for GOD’S blessings as he put into action what GOD had laid upon his heart. He acknowledged that he was only the kings’ cupbearer. He needed the king to trust him to accomplish the task in Jerusalem. He needed resources to get the job done, thus he needed the full support of the king. He knew that an easy out for the king would be for the king to reply to his request in a negative manner e.g. “Gee, Nehemiah you are only my wine taster. You are not an engineer. Why do you think you can accomplish what your fellow Jews have failed to accomplish in the last 100 years? What do you think? When GOD calls, HE provides.

Nehemiah had to have the courage of his conviction. He had to suck-it-up and ask the king risking the possibility of being denounced and ridiculed. But what happened? We will see in next week’s study.

With GOD nothing is impossible. Our part is to trust and obey.

What did JESUS teach HIS disciples in Matthew 17:20?

20 "Because of your little faith," He told them. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Have you seen the size of a mustard seed?

Blessings!!!