Bible Studies
He Wept and Prayed (Neh. 1:1-4)
Series: Studies In NehemiahIntroduction:
1. Most of us try to avoid as much grief as we can. 2. But it was Solomon who wrote: “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart” (Ecc. 7:2). 3. There is a place for mourning. Wisdom often springs from sad circumstances. And sometimes we are even motivated to action when we hear bad news. 4. Such was the case for Nehemiah. 5. What do you suppose you could learn by visiting in his house?Discussion:
I. The book of Nehemiah continues the history from the book of Ezra. Indeed among the Jews they are considered two volumes of the same book.A. Although Ezra and Nehemiah are contemporaries Nehemiah comes a little after Ezra.
1. Ezra came to Jerusalem in the 7th year of the Persian King Artaxerxes I (Ezra 7:7) or 458.
2. Nehemiah in the 20th year of the same king (Neh. 2:1) or 445.
3. Thirteen years have elapsed.
4. The two were associated in the reading of the law and the subsequent covenant (Neh. 8:1, 9; 9:6; 10:1). They were also associated in the processions at the dedication of the walls (Neh. 12:31-36).
B. As we have read, Nehemiah is the son of Hachaliah. We know nothing more of him. Nehemiah is cupbearer to the king which places him in regular contact with the king and allows some level of influence with him, as chapter 2 suggests.
C. The narrative is written in the first person and describes the actually events occurring in Nehemiah’s life.
1. In Susa, he hears a report about the conditions in Jerusalem from his brother, Hanani and some others who have been in Jerusalem.
2. What he hears throws him into a state of grief. He mourned for days, fasting and praying to God.
D. This depression leads the king to question him about the cause of his grief and he makes a request of the king to return to Jerusalem.
E. The work is organized and they begin to rebuild the walls and the gates of Jerusalem. Chapter 3 describes the opposition by the enemies of the Jews and the challenges that Nehemiah faced both externally and internally. Nehemiah is known for his exemplary leadership.
E. Chapter 6 brings the construction to completion.
F. In chapter 8 Ezra reads the law and a restoration is begun to get the people back on track in their relationship with God.
G. The last two chapters of the book close with a dedication of the wall and the people excluding the foreigners from the assembly of God.
What can we learn from the mourning that occurred in Nehemiah’s house? Read 1:4-11.
II. Nehemiah was dependent upon God.A. Nehemiah does not immediately consult with the king.
1. You might recall Naaman the captain of the army of the Arameans.
2. He had leprosy and his wife’s servant girl (Jewish) said she wished Naaman could see the prophet in Israel and he would cure him of his leprosy.
3. Naaman’s response was to go to the King of Aram.
4. When he arrived in Israel he went to the King of Israel.
5. Interesting how people can be dependent upon their governmental leaders for the solutions to all kinds of problems.
B. Nehemiah took his concerns to God.
1. He wept. He mourned for days.He fasted and prayed.
2. He was so concerned about the situation in Jerusalem that he did not eat.
3. Oh that we were so concerned about the city of God that we neglected to eat. I do not speak of the physical city, but the city, the people of God. It was not the bricks and mortar of Jerusalem that Nehemiah was concerned about, but it was the people who were vulnerable to their enemies. Note Neh. 1:6,10-11. Cf. 2 Cor. 11:27.
4. Are we so concerned about the people of God that we pray to God for them? Cf. Col. 1:9-12. Not just about their physical condition, but their spiritual condition.
5. “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
III. Nehemiah saw the people of Israel as having a unique place in the plan of God.A. In his prayer he described them as “Your servants” (6).
B. He saw them as part of “the covenant” (5).
C. And recipients of the “lovingkindness” of God (5).
D. He saw them and himself as part of the unfolding plan of God and he saw God as actively involved in their history (6-10).
E. Nehemiah was praying for God to act on His covenant, on the basis of His lovingkindness in behalf of His people.
F. Nehemiah saw himself as individually involved in this plan, thus, his prayer.
1. He was not on the bench. He was not in the stands. He was on the field.
2. He was a contributor, not a consumer. He was not asking, “What can my country do for me, but what can I do for my country.”
G. This is the result of a clear perception of the plan of God.
IV. Nehemiah recognized that God was truly involved in their lives.A. We have talked before about how so much of religion is “a willing suspension of disbelief.” The religion of most people is “just pretend.”
B. Such was not the case for Nehemiah.
C. Nehemiah’s God was involved.
1. “The Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God.” Is that the way you begin your prayer? I heard a prayer at a high school graduation once that imaged God as if he were an imaginary grandfather some where. I have heard some, trying to be politically correct, speak of praying to “whatever perception of God you may have.”
2. He was the God of the covenant.
3. He was the God of lovingkindness.
4. He was the God of justice—there was a confession of sins, a recognition that they had been scattered just like God had promised them.
5. Nehemiah recognized God as communicator through Moses of commandments.
6. Nehemiah recognized God as in control (1:11).
C. From Nehemiah’s house of mourning we learn something about his perception of his God.
V. We also learn something about Nehemiah’s prayer life.A. If we are not dependent upon God why pray? Go to the king. Ask your governmental leaders to provide for you. Depend upon yourself, your ability, your strength. Israel had attempted to depend upon Assyria and Egypt. They had depended on false gods. Now they were broken, the city walls destroyed, its gates burned with fire.
B. If we do not recognize ourselves as having a unique place in the plan of God what are we praying for? For material prosperity?For physical health?For personal pleasure? We teach that we should pray “according to the will of God.” If you are not praying for the accomplishment of the plan of God, but for the accomplishment of your own plan how do you suppose that is praying “according to the will of God?”
C. If we do not really believe that God is involved in our lives what motive do we have for praying? Is it just make believe?
D. Nehemiah was a man who believed in God, who recognized that He was there and was not silent, that God held men accountable, that God extended lovingkindness, that they were involved in the accomplishment of His plan. A man like that has good reason to pray.
Conclusion:
1. Is this the kind of God that you have? 2. Do you have a covenant relationship with Him? 3. Will you hold yourself accountable as He holds you accountable? 4. Do you believe what He has communicated to you? 5. Are you concerned about His plan, His people?
