Tag Archives: Nehemiah

A Model to Follow

After a few excursions into various other topics I’ve finally returned to Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 9:I, the people of Israel gathered together. They fasted, they separated themselves from the other nationalities and they confessed their sins to God. They also read from the book of the law and worshiped the Lord their God, verse 3. They remembered what God had done and the way God had brought them and how He had fulfilled His promises to them. It is a good model for us to follow – one of confession of our sins and remembering and praising Him for all … Continue reading →

The Importance of God’s Word

The book of Nehemiah shows us, among other things, the importance of reading, and obeying God’s Word. Nehemiah 8:1-8 As Ezra reads God’s Word, the people praise God. The people gather and Ezra reads God’s words to them. All morning he reads to them and the Bible says they ‘were attentive’ to the Word, verse 3. They also worshipped the Lord. Some Things to Think About How important is God’s Word to you? Reading God’s Word should encourage us to worship Him. Have you read God’s Word today? If not, why not take time to do it now? What has … Continue reading →

What an Example!

We can learn so much from the Old Testament. Nehemiah sets a great example for Christians in how to behave. Nehemiah 5:1-5 The Jews complained that were being hard done by and suffering extortion, not from outsiders but from their own Jewish brethren, verse 1. Some were large families without property. Some had mortgaged their fields and houses to provide food for their families. The third group had borrowed money for the king’s taxes and as a result their children were forced into being slaves, and they saw no way out for them or their family. Their complaints were valid. … Continue reading →

Trust God to Provide?

Just as there are life lessons for us in Nehemiah 1, there are helpful principles for godly living in Nehemiah 2:1-20. Nehemiah 2:1-8 After prayer Nehemiah seeks permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem. Nehemiah was so sad about the state of Jerusalem, the king noticed and asked the reason for his sadness. Nehemiah sought approval from the king to go and do something about the situation. Nehemiah knew he needed God’s help to make the king favorable to his plan. When the king knew how long Nehemiah would be gone he agreed. Then Nehemiah asked for letters requesting … Continue reading →

Pray First, Then Act

The book of Nehemiah is not long – only 13 chapters, but it contains a great deal that is relevant to Christians today. In a way it is the other side of There’s a Need, So What? In Nehemiah 1 we see how God helps Nehemiah identify a need and then act upon that need. Jerusalem and its walls had been destroyed in the Babylonian invasion. Nehemiah hears from men from Judah about the situation facing the remnant that ‘had escaped and had survived the captivity,’ Nehemiah 1:2. When he heard the sad state of affairs, Nehemiah wept and mourned. … Continue reading →