This book, probably written by Nehemiah, is the last book of the Old Testament chronologically and takes place about 12-15 years after Ezra’s return. The books from here to the end of the Old Testament--the books of poetry and the books of prophecy--fit chronologically into the time frame of all the books we have read up to here. Nehemiah, like Ezra, is a bold, godly political leader--a governor. He is a man of prayer, often praying about his concerns, asking God to take notice of whatever good or bad is going on, giving God credit for his ideas and how things are going. His worldview is definitely centered on God. He is both heavenly-minded and practical, down to earth.

CHAPTER 1

Where is Susa? Located in present-day Iraq, it was one of the capitals of what used to be the Babylonian empire, which was conquered and is now what empire? Medo-Persia, which stretched from India to Greece, all the middle East and into Egypt. Babylon was between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, on the Euphrates. Susa was east of Babylon, 160 miles east of the Tigris. What would the twentieth year mean? 2:1. What was the news of the exiles who had returned to Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel)?

What is Nehemiah's reaction? Again we see fasting connected with mourning and weeping; God never taught Israel to fast as part of prayer, but it was the cultural custom when mourning. We read his prayer, 5-11. We can learn much about prayer by noticing the prayers recorded in the Bible. Does he ask God for help for the exiles? Before he gets to his request in 11, he starts out how, 5? Recognizing who God is, what He has done.

End of 6-7, why does he say this? Have he and his family or the exiles been living in sin? What sin is he talking about? The sin that resulted in Israel, then Judah, being taken out of their land into captivity? What does he remind God, 8-9? Why is this promise important?

God has indeed done this. What is the place God has chosen for His name to dwell? The temple in Jerusalem. This is central to God's plan for Israel. Is there a temple there now? The temple must be rebuilt in our day. This will happen during the tribulation, and is most likely promised in the covenant that the Antichrist signs with Israel that marks the start of that seven years--the seventieth week of years that we read about in Dan. 9, especially 9:24.

Finally we learn who Nehemiah is. Interesting that the king would have some of the Jewish captives near him in such a position in the palace.

Do we, the church, on this side of the cross, need to weep, mourn and fast because of our sins before we can approach God? Do we, or can we, confess the sins of the church or of our nation? Some teach this but it is not biblical; it is confusing Israel and the church--two separate bodies, which God deals with in different ways. This is the concept of dispensationalism, that God sets up different dispensations--different time periods when God dispenses His grace in different ways--yet all are saved by faith, Gen. 15:6, repeated in Rom. 4:3, 22, Gal. 3:6, James 2:23.

God dealt with Israel as a nation, but He deals with the church as individuals, and we can only confess our own sins. Do we need to ask or hope that God will forgive our sins? Because of what Jesus did on the cross, all our sins are already forgiven--past, present, future sins. But what ARE we to do? I John 1:9. We need to admit when we sin and agree with God that it is sin, and THANK Him that He has forgiven us. How may we approach Him, Heb. 4:16?

CHAPTER 2

1-8 In the previous book, who was king at the beginning, when the first group of exiles returned under Zerubbabel, Ezra 1:1? Followed by who, 4:5? 60 years later when the second group of exiles return, under Ezra, who is king, 7:1? Now four months have passed since Nehemiah heard the report about Jerusalem. In a moment we will talk about the importance of this date.

We see the exchange between the king and his cupbearer. What can we infer about their relationship? Nehemiah gives an honest answer to the king's question, which results in another question so important that Nehemiah must do what before answering? Was this a very long prayer or a quickie? But wasn't it actually the outgrowth of the heartfelt extended praying in CH1, where he had been praying day and night? Was God answering that prayer? Like with Nehemiah, should both kinds of prayer characterize our lives?

Doesn't this request seem almost audacious? A lowly captive cupbearer suggesting what the king should do? They obviously had a relationship and a history. I suspect that something about this king and his previous actions, decisions, attitudes made Nehemiah think that this was even possible. The kings after Nebuchadnezzar were known to be very free in permitting, even encouraging, their exiles to continue as a national and cultural group.

The king immediately grants his request and gives him letters to provide what he will need. How does Nehemiah view this? We see him as a man whose mind is set on God, whose thoughts turn quickly to God, who takes everything to God.

Why is this event so important? Especially to the study of prophecy? Dan. 9:25. (Daniel gave this prophecy 95 years earlier.) What decree is spoken of here? Not the two under Ezra which were about rebuilding the temple (II Chr. 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-3, then Ezra 6:3-8), but this one about the wall of the city. The date of this decree is important to the interpretation of the 70 weeks of years, Dan. 9:24-27. Nissan was the first month of the Jewish year and corresponds to March/April. Secular history, not just Scripture, dates this as the first of Nisan (March 14) BC 445.

Pentecost/”Things To Come”: This chronology is important because it ESTABLISHES the literal method of interpretation of prophecy. Almost all expositors agree that the first 69 weeks of the prophecy were literally fulfilled; that leads to the logical conclusion that the last week will be also. The prophecy refers specifically to Israel; this is a strong reason why we believe that Israel and the church are two separate entities in God’s plan. The church is not mentioned here at all, nor the church age, yet the seventieth week ends with the last judgment, so the church age has to be in there somewhere. The time gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks is of an unknown length; likewise, the prophecies of the Messiah didn’t specify two comings, with different aspects being fulfilled at each coming. This is also evidence for the pre-trib rapture view, since the church is not pictured anywhere in this week, or in the events that Daniel says will culminate it. Also, other Bible references to this “week” use specific time words of days, months, or years, which all point to seven literal years. These various time words underscore the fact of literal days, months, years. If the seventieth week has already been fulfilled in history, the problem is that NONE of the blessings promised to Israel in Dan. 9:24 have yet happened, so these seven years can’t have happened yet. The only way for THAT view to be held is for everything to be spiritualized and explained away as “poetic language.”

9-20 Change of scene--Nehemiah has arrived, and already meets opposition. Why is he secretive? God was putting thoughts into his mind--have we ever felt like that? He gets the people on his side. What happens when they are opposed, mocked, despised, threatened? Why can they stand firmly? The king and God are behind them. Trust and obey!

CHAPTER 3

What are some things you noticed in this chapter? Specific repairs are listed, individuals are named along with occupations and a few interesting tidbits. 16 mentions a different Nehemiah. What are some applications we can take from this chapter? For our lives, for how the church operates? Everyone worked, even the important people. Each does what he can, especially in his own personal locale, even if it not his area of expertise.

CHAPTER 4

1-3, what happens? 4, how does Nehemiah react? Is he wrong to pray this way? David prayed similarly in the Psalms. Should we pray this way? Not everything we read in the Old Testament, for Israel under the Law, applies to us in the church age--how can we tell what does? We always read in context, and we read to see if this is mentioned in the New Testament--if it has changed or is the same.

Compare Mat. 5:38-47, Rom. 12:20, I Thes. 5:15. Why were they not wrong in the Old Testament? In a theocracy, the enemies of God’s people were enemies of God. What did God tell Abraham in Gen. 12:3? This is more evidence that God sets things up differently in different dispensations.

6-14, they pray, trust the Lord, and take precautions. Compare Exo. 14:13-14. How do we know which strategy to follow when? Context. The Jews in Exodus had been what? Slaves, not armed/trained for war; God delivered them by a miracle. Does God always do miracles? These are armed, able.

15-23 Do they grumble or doubt God? Do they keep building?

What application can we take from this chapter?

Keep our sword (which is what?) in one hand, so to speak, at all times, in everything we do. Is our faith for Sunday and separate from our lives? Might we encounter discouragement, even mocking or opposition? Do we pray about everything, every development? Do we encourage others whose faith might not be as strong?

CHAPTER 5

What have the exiles been doing during those 60 years? What was Nehemiah's response? He confronts them about their sin, which the Law speaks to in Exo. 22:25-27. He reminds them of what, 8? Did they argue or grumble? The Law is specific, and brings conviction of sin. Does he tiptoe around the issue so as not to upset anyone? 10, how does he set a godly example? He tells them in no uncertain terms what they must do--do they obey? Amazing! He is a strong and godly leader.

14, his godly leadership is recognized and results in what? What other evidence is given of his leadership style? What do you think of 19? David said this in the Psalms, as did Jeremiah and the thief on the cross. Under the Law, God promised to bless those who what? Obey Him. Does Nehemiah come across as proud or self-centered? Rather, godly and with his priorities right. Is this how we in the church are taught to pray? We are to beware of being proud of our obedience, Luke 17:7-10.

CHAPTER 6

1-4, what is happening? Is Nehemiah taken in? He is not gullible; is it unchristian to be suspicious? The Bible often warns us to beware, be on the alert. Evil and deception are all around us. 5-9, how does their plot escalate? Now they bring slander, lies, disinformation. Can these things even happen in the church? Does Nehemiah give in or panic or respond in like manner? He answers lies with what? The truth. Do we see these kinds of things playing out in the world around us? We answer with truth, we are not intimidated from standing up for the truth, or from saying some things (that we are told we must believe) are inventions in people's minds.

10-14, is this man a Jew? Sounds like it. He has been pressured, bought by the opposition. Why might they think that would work? Is a Christian to give the benefit of the doubt, to take people at their word, to always think the best of people? 12, he perceived: his spiritual antennae were out. If we are listening for the Holy Spirit, can we pick up on something that doesn't feel quite right?

Should Christians seek unity with other groups that invite or even pressure us to accept them or join with them? How can we know when it is or isn't appropriate? Might saying no make you look bad, be uncomfortable? Does God call us to be nice? Or to be obedient, faithful, no matter what?

15-19, what happens? Which resulted in what, 16? Will this always be the result? 18-19, why is Tobiah so difficult to deal with? This resulted from the intermarriage problem. "Sure he's an unbeliever, and sure he has done some questionable stuff in the past, but, he's such a GOOD GUY!"

CHAPTER 7

1-2, what is important here? What's going on in 3-4? Security strategy for the city. What are three important things in 5? 6-7, an introduction to the list that follows; what important facts does it reflect?

We will not read the list, but we note that rather than names, there are family connections given; ancestry was very important in Israel. What can we note about 64-65? The Law of Moses was very specific about priests. 70-72 speak of what? We have totals in 66-69. 73 sums up, but the last line seems to belong with the next chapter. What are some applications we can make from this section of the chapter? What is important about our spiritual birth/parentage in the church age?

CHAPTER 8

1-3, what important event is happening? How long did this go on? 4-8, with Ezra are 26 men, Levites; how did this reading take place? Perhaps they were scattered among the crowd and spoke to those around them. 7 and 8 use two different words; the NASB says "translate" in 8. The Law was written in Hebrew, but by now many Jews were speaking Aramaic. Is this what a pastor does in expository preaching? What was the people's reaction? But they were told what?

9-12, how did the people respond to hearing God’s Word--the five books of Moses? Does it sound like they probably hadn't heard it for quite a while? 13-18, the Law gave seven feasts for the Jews to celebrate, Lev. 23, and in the seventh month was the Feast of Booths, 23:33-44. What did it commemorate? How they camped in temporary shelters after they came out of Egypt and lived in the wilderness on the way to Canaan. How long had it been since this feast had been observed (and perhaps the other six)? What is the mood now? How long did these all-day readings go on?

Why the initial enthusiasm and conviction? Does it always last for years? What can we apply from their seven days of hearing the Word, perhaps standing all day? From the Levites who taught as they listened? From their grief, and then celebration?

CHAPTER 9

1-3, what happens several weeks later? In 1? mourning. In 2? In 3? Worship is not singing happy songs but bowing yourself before God, yielding to Him. Had they been yielded to God?

5-8, the Levites begin to speak, perhaps one at a time, reciting the entire story of Israel, to the end of the chapter; who were they speaking to? Why did God need to hear it? Why did the people need to hear it? What is emphasized in 5 that is repeated in the Lord's prayer and many other places? The importance of God's very name--that it is holy and not to be profaned. What does it mean to profane? To treat as common, to violate the honor of. Many Christians use God's name in a common way, as if it means nothing, as if God doesn't care when His name is used in an empty way.

6, in the Old Testament, the defining act of God was what event? This distinguished Him from all the other idol gods. What are the host? The Bible uses this word to refer to both the stars of heaven and the angels. NASB "give" life = KJV "preserve" (give, preserve, sustain). The commentary by creationist Henry Morris points out that this principle is the most basic law of science: The Law of Conservation of Mass and Energy (energy can neither be created or destroyed but can only change form). 7-8, how did Israel begin? 8 speaks of the Abrahamic Covenant. How is Abraham and Gen. 12:1-3 key to understanding the whole Bible? This promise sets up the plot line for the rest of the Bible, as it follows the line that will lead to the Messiah, as God fulfills these promises. What other key passage is referred to in the first line of 8? Gen. 15:6. This key doctrine is quoted in Rom. 4:3, 20-22, Gal. 3:6, James 2:23. What at the end of 8 is key to our understanding of the Bible?

9-15 continues with what being the primary pronoun? This seems to be the key word here. This is important because it is about to change. What part of their history is covered in these verses? What is the main point?

16-25, what two words begin the next section? What two pronouns are contrasted now? The tone changes from upbeat to what? The Holy Spirit did not indwell believers in the Old Testament, but what does 20 say? Does He still? Where do we find this in the New Testament? John 14:26. Did God provide for them even when they were sinful and rebellious? The rebellious generation died in the wilderness, but what happened in 24-25? And why did that happen? They started out obeying.

26-31, the next section begins with what two words--what happened to the following generations? Did God allow them to have their own way? What resulted? We see the continued contrast of pronouns.

32-37 begins with what transitional words? What new pronouns do we find? All of that history leads up to this present time and situation. What is being said about God in this section? and about them?

38 What do they do at the end? The signers and the conditions are listed in the next chapter.

What are some of the many truths about God, about Israel, about us, that can be gleaned from this rich chapter?

CHAPTER 10

1-27 lists the signers.

28-30 The things they promise are already commanded in the Law of Moses; was a covenant/promise even necessary? The Law said they were to obey in these things, so all they had to do was start obeying. What applies to us in the church age? Is there a curse on us if we disobey God? Are we to keep and observe God's Word? Does this teach we are to avoid interracial marriages? Why not--what was specific to Israel?

31-39 Why did God have them give a tithe/tenth of everything to the Levites? Are Christians to tithe? We are not under the Law, and the New Testament does not teach the required tithe/tenth, but we are to give--cheerfully and liberally, II Cor. 9, according to our abundance, I Cor. 16:2. Who or what does our money go to? Those who are not employed outside church or missions; the support of--not the temple or tabernacle but what? A church's fiscal needs. Like them, might our giving also consist of other things we might have than money? Acts 3:6. Why the emphasis on firstfruits?

This chapter does not use the word "covenant" but commentaries use that word here. Where did they come up with the details of their promises? The Law of Moses, which was the covenant God made with Israel. What was their part to be? To obey it--not to make a covenant in return. Why do you suppose they did this? Several other similar covenants were made with God prior to this, after Israel had strayed from God and then returned, yet we don't read that making promises kept them from disobeying again. Why is it dangerous to make promises to God? We can't keep them. How should we pray instead? "Help me to please you, to want to please you." God is the one who makes covenants in the Bible; what are the covenants? Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, the New Covenant.

CHAPTER 11

1-3, what is the arrangement to be? The rest of the chapter lists them. Again we see that their genealogy was important; God did not want Abraham's descendants intermarrying with non-Jews. 4, what tribes are we talking about? The southern kingdom. Priests, Levites, temple workers, temple servants, leader of the house of God, outside temple work. What positions in 17, 22-23? This was a big part of the temple service. 24, who was this guy? 25, towns of Judah; 31, towns of Benjamin.

CHAPTER 12

1-26, a listing and partial genealogy of the priests and Levites. What duties are spoken of up through 43? What two facts do we read about David in 36? Where do the choirs start out, 31? Where do they end up, 40? 27 and 43, why the great joy? What duties in 44-45? The musicians were not said to be worshiping, but these are, in their service; we see worship and serving God linked. Dan. 3 speaks of worship more than any other passage and defines worship for us; it is paired with what in 5, 6, 7? And elsewhere. What is it linked with in 28? Again we see serving God. 47, all these Levites are supported by the tithes.

CHAPTER 13

1-9, on what day, 1? 12:43-44 and 12:27? Or since it refers to the day they read from the Law, perhaps 9:1. The reference is to establish that they did what, 3? Because the next incident, 4-9, conflicts with that regarding who? Tobiah the who? 2:10. What had gone on previously? Eliashib is not just a priest but what, 3:1? So he is allied with or possibly kin to Tobiah--how could he be related to a non-Jew? Intermarriage. After 12 years as governor, Nehemiah returns to Persia, then comes back. So when 3 took place, had this been dealt with? Did making a covenant promise to God result in obedience? Should we make promises to God?? How tolerant/tactful is Nehemiah? He calls the high priest's actions what? Talk about corruption...can this happen today in the church age? The most common temptations to corruption are sex, money, power.

King of Babylon: now Persia, but the Persian Empire included Babylon.

10-14, what else had, or hadn't, happened while he was gone? Their covenant hadn't worked?? How quickly things deteriorated.

15-22 What else had they started doing? But they had made a covenant!!

23-31, what else was not being dealt with, or perhaps was starting up again? How does Nehemiah deal with all this? Hair probably from beards: a disgrace to lose one’s beard. Even what, 28? Do the higher-ups get special consideration from Nehemiah?

What kind of man is he? What does he keep saying to God? Under the Law God promised what for obedience and what for disobedience? He is trying hard to obey God and bring obedience and purity back to Israel. He is sold out to God, bold, uncompromising. Do you think he was too harsh? Can we go overboard in trying to swing the pendulum the other way?

Malachi prophesied during this period and speaks of the issues we just read about, so we will end by doing a quick read-through of this little book (not a study).