NEHEMIAH Lesson 1, Introduction As we begin our study of the Book of Nehemiah today, we will be examining the latest events concerning Israel that occur in the Hebrew and the Protestant Old Testaments. But first let’s take a few moments to talk about the structure of the Bible and…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 2, Chapter 1 We began our study of Nehemiah last week by means of a brief introduction to the book and reading Chapter 1. The introduction focused on explaining the regional political realities at the time of Nehemiah because only with this information and context can we understand…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 3, Chapter 2 While the books of Ezra and Nehemiah work together (similarly to the books of Kings and Chronicles), the men Ezra and Nehemiah and their assignments from God were quite dissimilar and distinct. Ezra was a Priest and a Torah Teacher. His job was to revive…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 4, Chapter 2 conclusion Last week we established a key point of reference for the history of Nehemiah: he was essentially a politician and government leader. And while he was indeed a Godly man, a Jew educated by Ezra to some degree on the Torah, nonetheless his role…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 5, Chapter 3 When we ended chapter 2 of Nehemiah, he had concluded his assessment of the situation with the destroyed walls surrounding Jerusalem and called together the Judeans of various levels of society to enlist them to the mammoth task of rebuilding. As a leader with authority…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 6, Chapter 4 CJB Psalm 2:1 Why are the nations in an uproar, the peoples grumbling in vain? 2 The earth’s kings are taking positions, leaders conspiring together, against ADONAI and his anointed 3 They cry, “Let’s break their fetters! Let’s throw off their chains!” 4 He who…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 7, Chapter 5 Last week we studied Nehemiah chapter 4, and in it Nehemiah and the Jews of Judah were faced with violent threats from 4 local and regional gentile rulers who did not want the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt or the city itself rehabilitated unless they were…

NEHEMIAH

NEHEMIAH Lesson 9, Chapter 6 and 7 I need you to be a bit tolerant of me today, as it may seem (at first) that I’m wandering; I hope I’m not. But I feel strongly led to go this direction to bring you an important connection that can be easily…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 10, Chapter 8 Today is going to be packed with information so have those pencils ready. Up to now the story of Nehemiah has been mainly about a devout, skilled, single-minded Jewish man who was sent to Jerusalem from the Persian capital by God to lead an endeavor…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 11, Chapter 8 Continued As we continue in Nehemiah chapter 8, it occurs to me that the focus of this chapter is a subject that I am confronted with virtually daily both by emails and face to face: how do we obey the Law of Moses in our…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 12, Chapter 9 Let’s review some things before we get into this rather long chapter 9 of Nehemiah. Chapter 8 was essentially about Ezra teaching the assembled crowd of Jews in Jerusalem the Torah, or more specifically the Law of Moses (which is but part of the Torah).…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 13, Chapter 9 Continued We are in the midst of examining Nehemiah chapter 9 and the long, penitent prayer that forms it. And we’re going to be camped here for awhile, at least another week, because these passages bring up so many opportunities for application and as a…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 14, Chapter 9 Cont 2 We’ll continue in chapter 9 of Nehemiah this week and try to connect some dots as well as put the spotlight on some of the deeper things contained within this humble, penitent prayer by the people of Judah. As is our custom, we’ll…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 15, Chapter 10 We concluded chapter 9 last week and will study Nehemiah chapter 10 today. We’re going to deal with some interesting nuances that continue to connect some dots, so we’ll weave around a little today. The last few verses of the long prayer of repentance that…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 16, Chapter 10 and 11 We’ll continue in Nehemiah chapter 10 today and move into chapter 11. Lots of connecting more dots today, so let’s get right to it. Chapter 10 records a historic ceremony in Jerusalem whereby the reformed and restored Jewish people wanted to memorialize their…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 17, Chapters 11 and 12 Nehemiah chapters 11 and 12 move us closer to the conclusion of what Christians call the Old Testament, and it is enlightening that these chapters revolve around the replanting of the Jewish people in the Holy Land, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem as…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 18, Chapter 12 and 13 As we observed in our study of Nehemiah 12 last week, all the fruits of the Jews’ dedication, commitment, labor and turning back to the Lord and away from their sinning ways, in sincere repentance, was finally paying off. The community from top…

NEHEMIAH Lesson 19, Chapter 13 END Today we’ll wrap up our study of Nehemiah and in doing so bring us (essentially) to the end of the Old Testament from a chronological perspective. This book, at its closing, brings us near to 400 B.C. The only other writings that are considered…