1. THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH.

A GEM OF A BOOK.

Nehemiah is a gem of a book in the spiritual sense, teaching us how, under Nehemiah’s leadership, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by those who had returned to rebuild Jerusalem.

Also, he instructed the people once more in the Law given to Israel by Moses. Ezra, as we learned in our previous study, drastically corrected the people from their intermarriage practices and pending idolatry due to the influence of those heathen people who worshipped another god rather than the Lord God of Israel.

And now, when Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, another twelve years after Ezra, circumstances were far from reassuring. The walls and gates of Jerusalem were in ruins, and the people were in great trouble and distress.

The poorer people were mortgaging some of their families to better-off Jews (verses 3-5.) There was also a laxity toward Sabbath keeping and other covenant obligations.

ESRA WAS A BOOK OF RESTORATION. NEHEMIAH A BOOK OF RECONSTRUCTION.

THE NEXT BOOK OF ESTHER IS A BOOK OF PRESERVATION.

As we watch this strong, earnest, godly hero, Nehemiah, in the first part of the book, he rebuilds the walls and the gates against the opposition of his adversaries.

Then, in the book’s second part, he resists the compromise and laxity of the Jews and conspires with great enthusiasm.

There is a tremendous spiritual message for us as Christians if we take heed.

THERE IS NO WINNING WITHOUT WORKING AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

WITHOUT SPIRITUAL OPPOSITION. THERE IS NO OPEN DOOR.

THERE IS NO OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE LORD. WITHOUT MANY ADVERSARIES TO OBSTRUCT OUR ENTERING IT.

Please read:

1 Corinthians 16:9.

Here, Paul mentions the many adversaries against the Gospel.

When God commands you to share the gospel of Salvation with a problematic person, the warfare begins in your mind; you find every reason possible why you cannot do it.

Tear down those walls of resistance with the blood of Jesus and do as He commands.

If you ‘do not’ share the gospel and warn the wicked of death and hell, their blood is on your head. 

Nehemiah stands out conspicuously as a man of action, a man of faith, a man of courage, and a man of action.

Pray, “Lord, make me intensely spiritual but keep me perfectly natural and thoroughly practical.”

The trials and tribulations you endure, God will use to bring out the best in you. The things you felt were breaking you were making you. We only discover this when we look back.

I encourage you to read the whole book of Nehemiah in one sitting. It is full of beautiful outcomes when God leads us.

He was a Cupbearer, a Wall Builder, and became a Governor.

He sought the Lord through prayer and fasting.

We don’t fast and pray to obtain something from Him but to become ‘more like Him.’ (The Image of His Son.)

Plain Speaking…

Nehemiah’s enemies were Sanballat and Tobiah. He was scorned, despised, hated, and threatened.

He just kept on praying and kept on building! “Hear our God,” he prays; “For we are despised.”

“So we built the wall … for the people had a mind to work.”

The best way to meet scorn is not by counter-scorn.

Their hatred began to make them look smaller and smaller and more stupid as the walls of Jerusalem grew higher and higher.

The best way you can overcome the Worlds scorn is to pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit and His anointing to empower you to keep on striving to win souls for Christ!

As Governor Nehemiah’s downrightness and forthrightness stand out in this role of governing Israel. We may disagree with his methods of handling difficult people and situations. His motives were clear as noon and sound as a bell.

Look at his outstanding qualities here-

Clear thinking,

A firm dealing with Israel in a God-honouring way.

There are many lessons for us to learn from his impeccable life.

1. God is Sovereign over all difficulties.

2. God’s presence in every place.

3. God hears and answers each sudden call.

Dear Christian, the Lord is with you every place you go. He hears every SOS of your soul, every cry for strength, every prayer for guidance, and every secret known only by you.

Every day keep in touch with Him again and again. He will keep your heart steady, and you will experience the mind of Christ. Then you can do what He has called you to with peace, confidence, and joy.

It will bring a thousand streams of blessings into your life from the hills of God.

I love Nehemiah’s answer to those of his enemies who tried in devious ways to obstruct the rebuilding of the walls.

“I CANNOT COME DOWN; I AM DOING A GREAT WORK FOR THE LORD!!”

Allow this to echo in your heart as you face your opposing enemies.

To comment: Heather Dalzell SMS 0417 545 814

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Email Address heatherdalzell777@gmail.com

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So build your life upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.