The Land of Beginning Again

Who among us has never longed for a fresh start, for a second chance, or for a new beginning in some aspect of life? New beginnings have a way of giving new meaning to life. They have a way of invigorating us with new purpose, energy, and resolve to meet new challenges. New beginnings have a way of reminding us that past failures do not have to devastate or defeat us.

The people of Israel were ready for a new beginning. They were ready to cast aside their past failures and sins like a shabby old coat at the door. The Old Testament book of Ezra records the events in the life of Israel after they had spent seventy years in Babylonian captivity. They had the opportunity to begin anew by returning to their homeland to rebuild their Temple, the walls of their beloved city of Jerusalem, and their lives.

Understanding Why Israel Needed A New Beginning

Why did Israel need a new beginning? The answer is found in the pages of Israel’s tumultuous history. When Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, God gave the people very specific commandments and instructions by which their lives were to be governed (see Exodus 20:3-23:33). God made very clear to the people that there were two possible paths of life – the path of obedience and the path of disobedience (see Deuteronomy 30:15-20). Each path led directly to specific consequences, those being life or death, blessing or curse.

Israel’s history chronicles their journey down both of these paths. For the most part however, Israel experienced a recurring cycle of apostasy, judgment, repentance, and deliverance. This cycle is best illustrated in the book of Judges where the dizzying details are recorded. Each new generation seemed to either ignore or forget the lesson of the earlier generation and consequently, the cycle was repeated. Israel’s proclivity to disobedience and idolatry continued through the Davidic and Solomonic kingdoms and throughout the period when the kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Eventually both kingdoms were punished for their sins as God allowed them to be carried away into captivity. The Assyrians carried the Northern Kingdom away into captivity in 722 B.C. and the Babylonians carried the Southern Kingdom away into captivity in 586 B.C.

Life in Captivity

The Babylonian Captivity was a trying, humiliating, and sorrowful experience for the Jews. They had to deal with radical changes in every area of their lives as well as cope with the pain of homesickness and feelings of bitterness and hatred toward their captors. Psalm 137 records the anguish of the captivity and the longing of the Jews for their release and return to Jerusalem, as well as their desire for calamity on the Babylonians. They had lost their freedom, were separated from friends and neighbors, and experienced the emotional trauma of seeing the Temple destroyed and the city of Jerusalem razed. We can only imagine how difficult this experience must have been to the Jews. Yet, it was all part of the harvest (Galatians 6:7)!

God Sets the Stage for a New Beginning

We have noted that the national and personal sins of the people brought the wrath and judgment of God. After their many years in exile however, it was time for them to experience the compassion and mercy of God. Through a series of events in the international political scene, Cyrus king of Persia successfully expanded his empire. The Babylonian Empire fell to Cyrus in 539 B.C.

The Person of Cyrus
Ezra 1:1

We are introduced to Cyrus in Ezra 1:1. He was the King of Persia who had overthrown Babylon and who ruled over a vast empire. Some two hundred years before Cyrus appeared on the political scene of the Ancient Near East, Isaiah prophesied that God would raise up a deliverer from the east and give him victory over the nations (Isaiah 41:2). Isaiah identified this deliverer by name – Cyrus! (see Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1). Isaiah further prophesied that Cyrus would let the exiles go free (Isaiah 45:13).

The Prophecy of Jeremiah
Ezra 1:1

Ezra 1:1 points out the fact that the actions of Cyrus fit into a larger scheme. Cyrus was serving a purpose bigger than his own, as indicated by the phrase, “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah.” The fulfillment of prophesy points out the fact that God is at work shaping history and directing human affairs. History has a purpose. History is actually “His story.”

The Proclamation of Release
Ezra 1:1-4

Ezra 1:1 tells us that God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to issue a proclamation allowing all of the captive people within his empire to return to their homelands. In the case of the Jews Cyrus granted permission for them to return to Judah and to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem.

The Patronage of the People and King
Ezra 1:5-11

Ezra 1:4 informs us that Cyrus encouraged the people to become patrons of the rebuilding effort by financially supporting the project. Ezra 1:6 informs us that those who chose to undertake the difficult task of returning were encouraged by the generous financial support of those who chose to stay behind. Ezra 1:7-11 informs us that even Cyrus helped by releasing the articles of the Temple which Nebuchadnezzar had taken as plunder.

Practical Considerations:

There is one law that we cannot break: The Law of the Harvest!
The period of history after the Exodus and before the exiles is marked by the willful disobedience of the Israelites. Their sin eventually brought God’s judgment upon both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms as He allowed heathen nations to take them into captivity. The seeds of sin that were sown by so many generations eventually brought forth a painful harvest. Paul spoke of the law of the harvest in Galatians 6:7, “”Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man [or nation!] sows, this he will also reap.”

God’s discipline has a redemptive purpose.
God does not punish His people solely for the sake of punishment. God’s discipline and punishment of His people always has a redemptive purpose. The period that the Jews spent in captivity was painful and difficult, but it was a time when God had their attention and was able to do some wonderful things in their lives.

God is in control of history.
God has a purpose for mankind and for this world. History has a destination. God’s purposes are being worked out in history. We should never despair or think that events in this world have no relation to God’s purposes. God is able to use even the most unlikely events to accomplish His purposes.

“For all things are Thy servants.” (Psalm 119:91b)
God can use anyone or anything He so desires to accomplish His purposes. In the case of the erring Balaam, God used “a dumb donkey, speaking with the voice of a man” (II Peter 2:16) to restrain his madness. God can use a drunk on the street to convict you that you shouldn’t drink. In the case of Israel, God even used heathen nations and rulers to fulfill His purposes for His people. King Cyrus thought that he was serving his own interests, but he was unknowingly serving the interests of God.

God keeps His promises.
The Lord kept His promises through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah to restore His people. Jeremiah did not live to see his prophecy fulfilled, neither did many of the people who heard Jeremiah’s prophesy, but God kept His word. God also kept His promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3 and 13:14-18).

New beginnings are possible with God.
God gave His people the opportunity to begin anew by allowing them to return to their homeland. The Jews had a wonderful opportunity to rebuild their lives, their Temple, and their beloved city of Jerusalem. New beginnings are possible in our relationship with the Lord.

The Reforms of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 13:1-31

Nehemiah 13 records the events of Nehemiah’s second term as governor. After his first twelve-year term as governor, Nehemiah returned to the court of King Artaxerxes. During his absence, the people slipped back into many of their old sinful practices. When Nehemiah heard about these things, he asked permission of the king to return to Jerusalem. Upon returning, Nehemiah encountered four problems that required his immediate attention.

The first problem Nehemiah encountered is recorded in verses 4-9. Upon returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah was shocked to learn that Eliashib, the high priest, had provided Tobiah a suite of rooms in the Temple complex. Tobiah was Nehemiah’s old archenemy who had tried to frustrate the work of God during Nehemiah’s first term as governor. Nehemiah wasted no time in dealing with the problem. He personally evicted Tobiah, throwing all of his belongings out of the room and ordering that the rooms be fumigated!

The second problem which Nehemiah encountered is recorded in Nehemiah 13:35-39. This problem concerned the support of the Temple and the Temple servants. The people stopped tithing and bringing their gifts into the storehouse. Because of this, many of the Levites had to find support away from the Temple thus neglecting the work of God and the education of the people. Nehemiah rebuked the leaders for allowing this to happen, restored the Levites to their posts, and reestablished the system of collecting tithes.

The third problem with which Nehemiah had to contend is recorded in Nehemiah 13:15-22. This problem concerned the violation of the Sabbath. The spiritual laxity of the people found expression in their violation of the Sabbath. The day had become just another day on the calendar. It was business as usual on the Sabbath. Nehemiah addressed the problem by rebuking the leaders for allowing the problem to continue. He also ordered that the gates of the city be closed throughout the Sabbath to keep out the merchants who were guilty of violating the Sabbath. Nehemiah posted guards at all the city gates to insure that his orders were carried out. He even threatened to use force against any who violated his orders.

The fourth problem with which Nehemiah had to contend is recorded in Nehemiah 13:23-29. This problem was the old recurring problem of intermarriage of the Jews with pagans. This was of grave concern to Nehemiah because the integrity and distinctiveness of the Jewish people was being compromised. The children could not speak the Hebrew language and as such could not read the Scripture. This was a dangerous situation that threatened the very existence of the Jewish people.

Nehemiah dealt with the violators by contending with them and even striking them and pulling out their hair. He reminded them that if wise Solomon’s heart had been turned away from the Lord by his foreign wives, then they could not expect to do any better. Nehemiah concluded his memoirs with a prayer, asking God to remember him for the work that he had done. That prayer has certainly been answered. His memoirs have become a part of the Holy Scripture!

Practical Considerations:

We should not allow evil to dwell in our hearts.
During his absence from Jerusalem, Eliashib the high priest allowed Tobiah, an enemy of God, to take up residence in God’s house. We should be careful lest we allow the enemies of God to take up residence in our hearts and consequently cause our love and loyalty to God to wane. F.B. Meyer said, “When Nehemiah returned from a long sojourn in Persia, he cast out all Tobiah’s goods and restored the chamber to its proper use. If we have given up a chamber in our hearts to any Tobiah, we must be prepared to do likewise.”

We should be careful lest we allow past sins to trouble us.
During Nehemiah’s absence from Jerusalem, the people allowed many of their past sins to rise and trouble them anew. These were the very sins that had brought the wrath of God upon their fathers. Nehemiah addressed the matter by having the people put their sin away immediately and make things right immediately. He wasted no time in dealing with the sins that threatened the spiritual and national well being of the people. We too, should deal with sin swiftly and be on guard lest old sins rise to haunt and trouble us anew.

The Register of Priests and Levites
Nehemiah 12:1-26

Nehemiah 12:1-26 provides us with a register of priests and Levites. To the twentieth-century reader such lists seem uninteresting, but to the Jew such lists were important. Postexilic Jews were concerned about the genuineness and legitimacy of their clergy. Such genealogical lists helped to verify the credentials of those who led them in worship.

The Rejoicing at the Wall
Nehemiah 12:27-47

The story of the dedication of the wall is recorded in Nehemiah 12:27-47. Although the account of the dedication of the wall is removed from the account of the completion of the wall (chapter 6) by several chapters, only a two or three month period of time separated these events. This was a joyous event in the life of the people. Before the ceremony actually began, the priests and the Levites purified themselves, the people, the gates, and the wall. The purification process involved bathing, sprinkling with water or blood, shaving the body, and special sacrifices.

Nehemiah 12:31-43 record the events of the dedication ceremony. Nehemiah divided the people into two groups. One group was led by Ezra (verses 31-37) and the second group was led by Nehemiah (verses 38-39). The groups formed two great choirs that marched atop the wall in opposite directions toward the Temple area. When the groups met at the Temple, “they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar” (verse 43).

Practical Considerations:

We should support those who serve the Lord.
According to Nehemiah 12:44-47, provision was made for the support of those who served the Lord in and through the Temple. These men were responsible for leading the people in worship and educating the people regarding the Word of God. In like manner, we should support those who faithfully serve the Lord in a vocational capacity and so undergird the work of God.

Urban Renewal and Urgent Reforms

A study of the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah will take you on an interesting journey through the Jewish post-exilic period. During this period, the Jews returned to their homeland after seventy years in captivity and rebuild the altar, the Temple, and the wall of Jerusalem. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah motivated the people of Jerusalem to give attention to the rebuilding of the Temple. Ezra instituted marriage reforms to help ensure the integrity of the Jewish faith. Nehemiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem struggled to build the wall of Jerusalem under persistent pressure and opposition. And, the people wept at the reading of God’s Word and commit themselves to live by that Word.

Nehemiah 11 addresses the repopulation of Jerusalem after the completion of the walls and the matter of how Nehemiah addressed the backslidden condition of the Jews during his second term as governor. This chapter addeesses the matters of urban renewal and urgent reforms.

The Repopulation of Jerusalem
Nehemiah 11:1-36

According to Nehemiah 7:4, “the city [of Jerusalem] was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses not built.” Several reasons for this can be offered. First, the city had been without walls for nearly a century and a half. A city without walls was vulnerable and at the mercy of any invading army or band of marauders. Second, the city was sparsely populated because it was in ruins. A decision to live in Jerusalem was a decision to engage in long hours of backbreaking hard work and rebuilding. Many people therefore, chose to live in the “suburbs.”

After the completion of the walls of the city, Nehemiah turned his attention to the matter of urban renewal and the repopulation of the city. The city was repopulated in two ways. First, lots were cast to determine who should live in the city. One out of every ten families was asked to move to Jerusalem. Second, some families volunteered to move to Jerusalem. These volunteers were praised for their willingness to make the sacrifice to move to the holy city. Nehemiah 11:3-19 is a record of those who settled in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:20-36 is a record of those who settled outside of the city of Jerusalem. These people comprised about ninety percent of the Jewish population.

Practical Considerations:

We should express appreciation to volunteers.
When Nehemiah was concerned about repopulating the city of Jerusalem, some people volunteered to move their families to the city. This meant great sacrifice and hard work. The inhabitants of Jerusalem expressed their appreciation to these volunteers. In like manner, we should express appreciation to those who volunteer, endure hardship, and make sacrifices for the sake of God’s work.

There is great joy in the accomplishment of God’s will.
After the completion of the wall, Nehemiah and Ezra led the people in a joyous ceremony of dedication and celebration. The people had faithfully followed Nehemiah’s leadership and successfully completed the wall in the face of persistent problems, pressures, and opposition. In like manner, we should rejoice in the victories and advances made in God’s work.

 Recommitment to the Covenant
Nehemiah 9:38—10:39

Nehemiah 9:38 is the first verse of Chapter 10 in the Hebrew Bible. It provides the transition between the penitent prayer of Chapter 9 to the recommitment to the covenant in Chapter 10.

The desire to make a fresh commitment to obey God came about as the result of the things they expressed in Chapter 9. Nehemiah 10:1-27 records the names of those who signed and sealed the agreement. Along with those mentioned in verses 1-27 were many others (see verse 28).

According to Nehemiah 10:29, the people made provision to be held accountable for their obedience to God’s Word by “taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law.” This indicated their earnest desire to live their lives in accordance with God’s Word.

The details of the agreement are recorded in Nehemiah 10:30-39. The people had pledged themselves to make the observance of God’s law a priority in their lives. They had truly experienced a “back to the Bible” revival!

Repentance of Sin
Nehemiah 9:1-4

Two days after the observance of the Feast of Booths, the people “assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dirt upon them.” The people were under deep personal conviction as a result of the days spent in Bible study. Their sorrow over their sins and the sins of their fathers was expressed in the wearing of sackcloth, fasting, and dirt upon their heads. The people continued to listen to daily readings from the law of Moses and participated in periods of worship and confession of sin.

Review of History
Nehemiah 9:5-37

Nehemiah 9:5-37 records the longest prayer in the Bible.

It is a penitent prayer of confession that offers a remarkable survey of Old Testament history. As the people confessed their sins they reviewed God’s love and grace toward them from creation and the election of Abraham, through their deliverance from Egypt and rebellion in the wilderness, through their disobedience in the period of the judges and the monarchy, and through the period of the exile to their present state of affairs.

The people acknowledged that the discipline and judgment of God upon them was well deserved. They were however, ready to make things right. They realized that the success of their future was dependent upon their relationship with God. They were ready to get serious about the matter of living their lives in obedience to God’s Word. The “back to the Bible” revival had reached their hearts.

Practical Considerations:

The study of God’s Word is profitable.
As the people listened to the teaching of God’s Word, they were convicted of their sin and shortcomings to the point of tears and repentance. That, in turn, led the people to make some life-changing decisions based upon the teaching of Scripture. II Timothy 3:16 and 17 declare, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching [God’s Word teaches us the path in which to walk.], for reproof [God’s Word tells us when we get off the path.], for correction [God’s Word tells us how to get back on the path.], for training in righteousness [God’s Word teaches us how to stay on the path.]; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 

We should be faithful in Bible Study attendance.
Several people asked Ezra to lead them in Bible study “that they might gain insight into the words of the law.” We should earnestly desire to study God’s Word to the end that we might gain insight and understanding into the issues and concerns of life and might become better equipped to walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord. (See Psalm 119:97-104.)

The Back to The Bible Revival

The wall was a mighty symbol of security. This significant accomplishment testified to the providence, protection, and provision of God. But there was yet a greater work of rebuilding that required the attention of both Nehemiah and Ezra.

That greater work involved the rebuilding of the spiritual foundation upon which the nation rested. That greater work included educating the people in the truths of God’s Word and instructing them regarding the importance of living in obedience to that Word. After all, it was the unfaithfulness of their fathers and their refusal to obey God’s Word that had resulted in their being carried into captivity.

The Jews needed to be in a right relationship with God if they were to prosper as a nation. The people needed to focus their attention on spiritual matters. It was time for a “back to the Bible” revival!

Reading of the Law
Nehemiah 8:1-18

The events of Nehemiah 8 occurred one week after the completion of the walls. The people gathered at the Water Gate southeast of the Temple on the first day of the seventh month (Tishri). They asked Ezra the scribe to read to them from the book of the law of Moses. They were interested in reviewing the basics of God’s Word and in instructing their children in the truths of the Scripture. The people were ready for a “back to the Bible” revival. Scholars estimate that between thirty and sixty thousand people gathered to hear Ezra read from God’s Word. A special wooden podium was built for the occasion.

Ezra began the meeting with prayer. After praying, Ezra opened the book of the law and the people stood in reverence for God’s Word. As Ezra read from the book of the law of Moses, the Levites circulated among the people and translated and explained the Scripture to them. This was necessary because many of the people were no longer fluent in Hebrew because they had either grown up speaking Aramaic while in exile or had adopted the tongues of their pagan spouses/parents.

The people were deeply moved and convicted by what they heard. They were moved to tears as they saw themselves against the standard of God’s Word. The Levites encouraged the people not to weep but rather to rejoice because “this day is holy to the Lord your God.” The people were encouraged to eat and to share their food with those who had none.

On the following day, a group of people, priests, and Levites met with Ezra for a time of in-depth Bible study. Nehemiah 8:13 declares that these people met with Ezra the scribe “that they might gain insight into the words of the law.” One of the signs of genuine revival is a renewed interest in the study and practice of the Word of God.

As these people studied with Ezra they were reminded that they had been commanded to observe the Feast of Booths. The booths were brush arbors or leafy shelters that were reminiscent of the living conditions of the Israelites while in the wilderness. With the Feast of booths just two weeks away, the people sent out a proclamation that people gather materials to construct booths to observe the occasion. The people did so and lived in them for seven days. This must have had a tremendous educational impact on the youth and children as they learned about their history in such a vividly dramatic way. Ezra read from God’s Word daily throughout the duration of the observance.

Practical Considerations:

We should begin our Bible Study times with prayer.
Ezra led the people in prayer (Nehemiah 8:6) before leading them in Bible study. It is important to pray before studying the Bible. Prayer can us help to focus our thoughts on the God of the Bible. Through prayer we should ask God for insight into the truths of His Word. We should pray with the attitude of the Psalmist (119:18) before Bible study: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Bible study teachers should strive to communicate effectively.
Ezra was not just interested in reading God’s law to the people, he was also concerned that they understood what he was reading. To that end he appointed Levites to translate and interpret what he was reading to the people. Effective communication took place in small groups. Like Ezra, we should be concerned with communicating the truths of God’s Word to our students as clearly and creatively as possible.

Consolidation: An Intelligent Policy
Nehemiah 7:1-73

The work of rebuilding the walls was the first phase of Nehemiah’s plan. The second phase involved the consolidation of the work. Knowing that the Jews had many enemies on both sides of the city walls, Nehemiah wasted no time in taking measures to safeguard the city.

Nehemiah appointed men to guard the gates and ordered that the gates be opened for only a brief period of time each day. In addition, he organized a “Neighborhood Watch” program by appointing citizens to help guard the city.

Nehemiah was also concerned that the city of Jerusalem was only sparsely populated. He therefore ordered a census to determine the Jewish demographic patterns in Judah and to lay the groundwork for repopulating the city of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was truly a man who lived for God and others. His whole life was devoted to serving God, his fellow Jews, and to helping the city and people of Jerusalem to become great once more.

From Mission Impossible to Mission Accomplished

There is something about attempting and accomplishing what is considered impossible that captures our imagination. Whether it is scaling Mount Everest, traveling across Antarctica to the South Pole, searching for and finding the Titanic, or walking on the moon, people are fascinated by the accounts of those who attempt and accomplish the impossible.

The popular and recently revised television program Mission Impossible appeals to our fascination with the impossible. It is always interesting to see what new impossible mission will be assigned to Mr. Phelps and to watch him undertake that mission with the full knowledge that if he or any of his Impossible Mission Force companions are captured or killed, “the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.” The appeal of the program lies in watching a “mission impossible” become a “mission accomplished.”

In the first chapter of Nehemiah we learned of Nehemiah and how God put upon his heart what seemed like a “mission impossible.” We have seen Nehemiah working toward the completion of his God-appointed mission in spite of great opposition, problems, and pressures. In our lesson today we will study how that “mission impossible” became a “mission accomplished.”

Intrigue: An Invitation to a Summit Conference
Nehemiah 6:1-4

Thus far in our study, we have seen Nehemiah and the Jews experience and deal with problems and threats from both without and within. The opposition made yet additional efforts to frustrate the work as the completion of the project drew near. These new renewed efforts from without were aimed at Nehemiah. The enemies of the Jews knew that their only hope of success lay in eliminating the man at the top. When all else fails, shoot the leader! Nehemiah 6 records three attempts to destroy, defame, and discredit Nehemiah.

According to Nehemiah 6:1-4, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem resorted to intrigue in an effort to destroy Nehemiah. These men put their villainous plot into action the moment they heard that Nehemiah “had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it.” These men sent an invitation to Nehemiah to attend a summit conference at a place called Ono, about twenty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. Nehemiah turned down their invitation on the basis of his priorities, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Furthermore, Nehemiah perceived that these men were trying to lure him away from the safety of Jerusalem, perhaps for the purpose of either kidnapping or assassinating him. Not satisfied with Nehemiah’s reply, they sent Nehemiah the same invitation four times only to be turned down four times.

Innuendo: An Implication of Treason
Nehemiah 6:5-9

Having failed in their efforts to destroy Nehemiah through intrigue, his enemies resorted to innuendo. According to Nehemiah 6:5, Sanballat sent Nehemiah an open letter stating that it was reported that Nehemiah’s real purpose for rebuilding the wall was to put himself in a position to become king of Judah and to rebel against Artaxerxes. Sanballat threatened to send this false report to Artaxerxes unless Nehemiah agreed to meet with him. Nehemiah responded by telling Sanballat that the report was not true, but simply a fabrication of his overactive imagination. Nehemiah then prayed for God to strengthen him.

Intimidation: An Intent to Discredit
Nehemiah 6:10-14

Having failed once again in their attempts to destroy Nehemiah, his ever-resourceful enemies turned to intimidation in the hope of discrediting Nehemiah before the people. They hired a prophet to tell Nehemiah that there was a plot to assassinate him and to advise him to seek refuge in the Temple (within the Holy Place). This was a clear violation of God’s Word (Numbers 18:7). Nehemiah thus perceived that this advice was not from God and that Tobias and Sanballat had hired the phony prophet to frighten him and cause him to sin that they might have grounds for calling his leadership into question.

Inspiration: An Impossible Task Accomplished
Nehemiah 6:15-19

In spite of pernicious and persistent opposition, Nehemiah and the people completed the wall in fifty-two days. This was a remarkable accomplishment (the wall was about one and one-half to two and one-half miles in extent). The completion of the work had an impact on the enemies of the Jews: “they lost their confidence.” The enemies of the Jews recognized that the work had been accomplished with the help of God. The Jews did a remarkable work in just fifty-two days. There are fifty-two weeks in one year. It is worth considering what contribution we have made to God’s work in the past fifty-two weeks? Have we helped to further the work of the Gospel?

Practical Considerations:
As the work on the wall neared completion, the opposition to the work intensified. Nehemiah teaches us how to properly respond to problems and pressures.

Priorities
Nehemiah did not allow problems and pressures to keep him from his priorities. He was able to avoid potential danger to his own life by refusing to abandon his priorities. Rather than question the motives of his enemies, he simply refused their invitation to meet with them on the basis of a higher priority: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”

Prayer
When Nehemiah’s motives for rebuilding the wall were impugned, he did not respond with a publicity campaign to address the rumors or file suit against the rumormongers. Nehemiah simply denied the rumors and resorted to prayer: “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah set a consistent example of praying in and through every difficulty.

Perception
When the phony prophet Shemaiah warned Nehemiah about a plot to assassinate him and suggested that Nehemiah seek refuge in the Temple, Nehemiah was perceptive enough to see that “God had not sent [Shemaiah].” His ability to perceive the subtle evil in Shemaiah’s suggestion came about as a result of Nehemiah’s knowledge of the Word of God. Psalm 119:98 states; “Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine [with me].”

Persistence
Nehemiah did not expend precious time and energy in defending himself from the intrigue, innuendo, and intimidation of his enemies. He simply persisted in the work, steadily moving toward the realization of his God-given goal. He did not allow his enemies to either distract or delay him. As a result of his persistence, “the wall was completed…in fifty-two days.”

Planning
Nehemiah did not rest after the completion of the work. Knowing the character and nature of his enemies, he consolidated the work by appointing gatekeepers and mobilizing the citizens of Jerusalem into a “Neighborhood Watch” team. By so doing, he insured that the people would be ready to deal with any further problems and pressures from their enemies.

Who Needs the Devil — We’ve Got Each Other

“The devil made me do it!”

That was an expression coined by the comedian Flip Wilson. It was an expression that was humorously used in the skits on his comedy television series a number of years ago. Flip Wilson played the role of Geraldine, who was always trying to stay in the good graces of her boyfriend Killer. Whenever Geraldine did anything wrong she would simply tell Killer, “The devil made me do it!”

While Flip’s expression makes for good comedy, it makes for bad theology. Many Christians have a tendency to blame everything on the devil. As a result they do not accept responsibility for their own actions. It may come as a surprise to learn that we can’t blame everything on the devil.

We must come to grips with the fact that there are some things we do simply because we are sinful, mean, nasty, and unforgiving. And when we do not allow Christ to govern our lives then we are all the more inclined to be as mean as the devil. In fact, Christians can sometimes treat one another so shamefully that one might be inclined to exclaim, “Who needs the devil — we’ve got each other!”

The Jews treated one another so poorly that one could have easily exclaimed, “Who needs our enemies — we’ve got each other!”

Exploitation: The Outcry of the People
Nehemiah 5:1-5

Nehemiah and the people deal with a variety of external threats, opposition, and problems. We are introduced to a new threat to the work of rebuilding the walls in Nehemiah 5:1. This new threat was an internal threat.

Nehemiah 5:1 records, “Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.” The complaints of the people are enumerated in Nehemiah 5:2-5.

Notice first that the some people cried out because of a shortage of food (verse 2). Many of the people who gave themselves to the work had large families and had sacrificed all to contribute to the work. Now they had no food to feed their families.

Second, others had to mortgage their property in order to buy food (verse 3).

Third, the people were suffering under a heavy burden of taxes (verse 4). These taxes were especially burdensome in light of the poor economic conditions in Jerusalem.

Finally, some people had to sell their children into slavery in an effort to pay off their debts (verse 5). The people felt totally helpless because they could see no prospect of relief.

Indignation: The Anger of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 5:6-7

Nehemiah’s response is recorded in Nehemiah 5:6-7: “Then I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. And I consulted with myself.”

Nehemiah became angry when he learned of the selfishness, greed, and lack of compassion on the part of the rich. The rich were more concerned about how they could make another dollar through the difficult days of the rebuilding effort than with how they could help the less fortunate who had sacrificed so much to participate in the work.

Nehemiah was very angry. Nehemiah 5:7 tells us how he handled his anger: “And I consulted with myself.” Rather than impulsively “fly off the handle,” Nehemiah took some time to “cool down” before acting. He took the time to get his facts together and get some perspective on the issue before tackling it.

Confrontation: The Rebuke of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 5:7-11

Once Nehemiah had prayed and thought the matter through, he was ready to take action. He did not ignore the problem in the hope that it would go away but rather confronted the problem head-on.

Nehemiah 5:7 informs us that he went to the source of the problem by contending with the nobles and the rulers. He accused them of violating the Mosaic Law which did not allow the Jews to charge a fellow countryman any interest. He further stated that while he and others had worked to redeem Jews from slavery to pagan masters, they were guilty of enslaving their fellow Jews. Nehemiah considered it an outrage to have to redeem Jewish slaves from fellow Jews. Nehemiah’s words were so convicting that the nobles and the rulers “were silent and could not find a word to say” (verse 8).

According to Nehemiah 5:9, Nehemiah pressed the issue further by telling the nobles and the rulers that the Jews were in danger of losing their distinctiveness in the eyes of their neighbors because of these evil practices.

In Nehemiah 5:10 he asked the guilty individuals to stop their abusive practices. That is always the best way to deal with sin, just determine to stop it immediately.

Nehemiah again pressed the matter by asking the guilty individuals to return what they had taken “this very day.” He did not ask them to go home and think about what they had done. He didn’t even ask them to pray about it. He simply asked them to rectify the situation at once. That is another good lesson regarding how to deal with sin. We should always deal with sin immediately and without delay.

Restoration: The Response of the Guilty
Nehemiah 5:12-13

The response of the guilty nobles and rulers is recorded in Nehemiah 5:12. “Then they said, ‘We will give it back and require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.’” In order to ensure that they would carry out their promise, Nehemiah had the guilty individuals take an oath before the priests stating that they would fulfill their word. In addition, Nehemiah symbolically pronounced a curse upon anyone who violated the oath. He shook out the front of his garment which had a fold used as a pocket for carrying possessions. This was a dramatic way of showing the violators that God would shake them and empty them of their possessions if they violated the oath which they had taken before the priests.

Illustration: The Example of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 5:14-19

At this point in the story, Nehemiah inserted a summary statement concerning his conduct while serving as governor of Jerusalem. It is a statement of Nehemiah’s integrity through his twelve year term (444 to 432 B.C.) as governor. He recorded the fact that although he was entitled to a food allowance as governor, he never used it. He bore the operating expenses of the office out of his own pocket because he feared the Lord and did not want to add to the burden of an already heavily burdened people.

In addition, Nehemiah did not use his position as governor to try to line his own pockets or increase his land holdings. He simply concentrated on giving guidance to the rebuilding project and on being a godly leader. Nehemiah concluded with a prayer (verse 19) which reveals that part of his motivation for living a godly life as a leader was to secure the blessings of God. And that’s o.k.!

Practical Considerations:

Sin has a greater social impact.
We must realize that our sin often has a greater social impact. When Achan sinned by taking things under the ban during the battle of Jericho, the entire nation suffered the consequences (see Joshua 7). When the wealthy inhabitants of Jerusalem took advantage of the poor during the rebuilding effort, many families suffered as they went hungry and experienced the agony of having to give their children into debt slavery. The rich failed to realize and recognize the impact of their sin on their community.

When angry, we must take time to “cool down” before acting.
Nehemiah did not impulsively “fly off the handle” when he was angry. He took some time to “cool down” to gather the facts, gain some perspective, and contemplate his course of action. We would be wise to follow Nehemiah’s example when angry.

We must face difficult problems head-on.
Nehemiah did not ignore problems in the hope that they would go away, deny problems and pretend that they did not exist, or rationalize problems. Nehemiah dealt with problems by facing them head-on. He went straight to the source of the problem rather than just dealing with the symptoms of the problem. Swindoll comments, “Correcting any problem begins by facing it head-on.”

We must be sensitive to the cry of the needy.
Nehemiah was touched by the cry of the poor and needy. He listened to the concerns of their hearts and then took the appropriate action to assist them. We too, must be sensitive to the cry of desperate humanity and be ready to respond with assistance in the name of Christ.

We must deal with sin expeditiously.
When Nehemiah confronted the nobles and rulers regarding their sin, he asked them to deal with their sin immediately. He did not leave them room to gradually stop sinning. He appealed to them to stop sinning and make restitution “this very day.” We must deal with sin in the same manner. We must not tolerate sin in our lives or try to gradually stop sinning. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin we must deal with it immediately.

It is helpful to be held accountable for decisions.
In order to insure that the guilty nobles and rulers followed through on their decision to make restitution, Nehemiah asked them to take an oath before the priests stating that they would keep their word. In addition to that, Nehemiah warned them (through enacted prophetic judgment) that they would be held accountable by God as well. Nehemiah 5:13 tells us that “the people did according to this promise.”

Leaders must set the example.
Nehemiah’s credibility as a leader was wrapped up in his godly lifestyle and example. Nehemiah did not abuse his privileges as governor of Jerusalem to promote selfish ends. Rather, he remained faithful to God and a servant of the people. His altruism is seen in his willingness to support himself while in office in order to lighten the heavy load of the people. Nehemiah’s credibility also strengthened his position when contending with those who were abusing the people through usury.