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What is the main message of the book of Nehemiah?
Nehemiah’s main message is about restoration and renewal, both spiritually and physically. Nehemiah is the prayerful leader who rebuilds both Jerusalem’s walls and the people’s faith despite relentless opposition. The Israelites need to spiritually return to God, so they must physically return to Jerusalem.
A Detailed Summary of the Book of Nehemiah
In our summary of the book of Nehemiah, we’ll watch as the Israelites return to Jerusalem, carrying with them the “seed” of God’s promised savior for all nations through the line of David. As they return to the land, they’ll also return to worship, rebuild the Temple, and return to the promises of God. These promises include both the Mosaic Covenant (the land) and the Davidic Covenant (a Messiah).
Who wrote the book of Nehemiah?
The book of Nehemiah is written by both Nehemiah and Ezra. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were actually once a single book, and Ezra and Nehemiah worked together to write them both. The books share a unified message about the reality of imperfect leadership.
In both books we hear multiple stories about leaders who work tirelessly and pray earnestly yet still fall short. This theme of “incomplete success” plays a significant role in the broader story of the Bible as well. The point is that even though the Israelites have returned, they still can’t win without that one perfect, redeeming Messiah King.
How Nehemiah Fits Into the Bible
The Old Testament has five divisions, and Nehemiah is in the second division. The first division contains the first five books of the Bible and is called the Pentateuch or Books of the Law. The second division, or History books, contains 12 books, and Nehemiah is the 11th.
The Bible is a collection of small stories that together tell a much larger story of the entire history of our redemption with Jesus as the ultimate hero. On the Bible Book Club Podcast, we have studied all five books of the first division and the first ten books of the second division. Ezra is the book before Nehemiah that we just studied, and Esther is the book after Nehemiah we will study next as we wrap up the History books.
How many chapters are in Nehemiah?
There are a total of 13 chapters in Nehemiah. They are broken into two divisions. Chapters 1–7 focus on the external, physical issues of building the wall in Nehemiah. Chapters 8–13 focus on internal, spiritual issues of the people’s hearts.
What is the Timeline of Ezra and Nehemiah?
A pattern of hope and disappointment plays out across the timeline of Ezra and Nehemiah repeating three times as the exiles return to Jerusalem.
- First return: Led by Zerubbabel in 538 BC to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1-6).
- Second return: Led by Ezra in 458 BC to restore commitment to God’s law (Ezra 7-10).
- Third Return: Led by Nehemiah in 445 BC to rebuild the city walls (Nehemiah 1-7).
Each cycle of the Ezra and Nehemiah timeline starts the same way. A Persian king decides to help, sponsors an Israelite leader, and sends a group of exiles back to rebuild Jerusalem. There’s so much hope and possibility at the beginning of each wave. But every single time they start strong, make real progress, then hit the same two problems: enemies attacking from the outside and the people failing on the inside.
Background on the Ezra and Nehemiah Timeline
In 586 BC the king of Babylon captured the Israelites. The Babylonian army ransacked, destroyed, and burned the city of Jerusalem, including Solomon’s Temple and the wall protecting the city. Most of the Israelites who survived were enslaved and marched hundreds of miles away to Babylon.
Forty-seven years later, in 539 BC, the king of Persia invaded and conquered the Babylonians. The Persian kings had a different philosophy for ruling. Over time Kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes encouraged the Israelites to return to Jerusalem, so they did.
Once resettled there, they worked to restore what the Babylonians destroyed. After years of struggle, the poor Israelites managed to restore the Temple, but that was as far as they got. The city and its surrounding wall were still a mess, and the people and the Temple were exposed and in danger. The Israelites needed a leader to rebuild the wall.
Like Ezra (book before Nehemiah) and Esther (book after Nehemiah), Nehemiah is called to a purpose for such a time as this. The people need protection, and the Temple needs protection. Nehemiah is the man with the plan to do both.
Where Our Story Begins on the Ezra and Nehemiah Timeline
Our story about Nehemiah takes place in the post-exilic period, a time of uncertainty for the Israelites. It is 445 BC, about 13 years after Ezra went to Jerusalem with the second wave of exiles. King Artaxerxes, the son of Esther’s husband Xerxes, is in power. The people are no longer a nation and still in a perilous situation.
- God is not dwelling in the Temple. The Temple is rebuilt but never filled with God’s glory.
- No Davidic king is restored. Political independence remains elusive.
- Hearts aren’t fully transformed. The leadership can’t solve the deeper problem of human nature.
Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah all try to bring Israel into a right relationship with God. Their efforts are commendable but incomplete. God is making His case that we need a divine savior.
Jesus Completes What Human Leaders Cannot
Only Jesus has the power to complete what human leaders can’t. He is the final sacrifice. After Him, the Temple is no longer needed for animal sacrifices to atone for sin. His death on the cross is seen as the one, perfect, and ultimate sacrifice that makes all other sacrifices obsolete.
Jesus replaces the Temple as the meeting point between God and humanity. The Apostle John says in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” The Greek word for “dwelling” is the Hebrew word for “tabernacle” suggesting God’s presence is no longer confined to a building but is present in the person of Jesus.
Jesus is our access to God. The Temple had a veil that separated the Holy of Holies (God’s presence) from the rest of the world. At the moment of Jesus’s death, the Bible says the Temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51) symbolizing now direct access to God is available to all believers through Jesus.
Nehemiah’s Entrance Into the Ezra and Nehemiah Timeline
Do you remember how Ezra introduced himself in chapter 7? He built a very lengthy case for why he was qualified to lead the exiles. But not Nehemiah.
He says only two things, a total of just 13 words. He opens his book with a simple statement in Nehemiah 1:1, “The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah.” And he closes this first chapter in Nehemiah 1:11 by simply saying, “I was cupbearer to the king.”
These two facts define his qualifications for this job. First, he has standing with the Jews. He is the son of Hakaliah, therefore, he is Jewish. Second, he has standing with the Persians. He is the cupbearer. Therefore, God has placed him in a position of power with the King.
Reflection Point
You have standing with the King of Kings. The same God who positioned a Jewish cupbearer in his palace in Persia has strategically positioned you wherever you are. The question is, will you use your identity and influence for the kingdom like Nehemiah does?
Lessons from the Bible Story Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah is a man of purpose and strategy who wrote this book as a perfect lesson on how we too can live a strategic, purposeful life for the Lord. He doesn’t just love the Lord. He locks in on God’s will and tactically takes action for the Lord. The lessons from Nehemiah 1 form a pattern we can follow.
- Perceive the situation.
- Passion will make you a force.
- Ponder the problem.
- Pray for direction and favor.
- Patiently wait for opportunities.
- Plan methodically.
- Persevere through opposition.
When facing trials of any kind, if we have a job that seems insurmountable, we can put on our Nehemiah persona. What would Nehemiah do?
Throughout our summary of the book of Nehemiah, things don’t always go his way, but no matter what happens he performs well. He cannot control the outcome, but he can control his own performance. That is all we can do too. Answer the call and play our part.
First Lesson from Nehemiah 1: Perceive the Situation
Picture the scene in Nehemiah 1:1-3. Nehemiah is on a break between sipping wine for the king as cupbearer, and he gets a visitor. It’s his brother Hanani, all the way from Judah. This is a big-deal visit. The journey is about a 1,000-mile trek on foot, by donkey, or a similar mode. It’s hot, dusty, long, boring, and probably dangerous.
How did Nehemiah learn about the bad conditions in Jerusalem?
Nehemiah learns about the bad conditions in Jerusalem from his brother Hanani. He is excited and curious to discover why his brother is here, so he jumps in and questions him. He wants news about their people who returned to Jerusalem, but the news is not good.
What happened to Jerusalem’s walls before Nehemiah?
Hanani tells his brother Nehemiah, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3).
Point to Ponder
Isn’t that the way it usually goes with visits from our friends? How many times have we sat having coffee with a friend, discussing the news? We talk about the lives of others, but do we really care?
When we hear of a death, a broken marriage, a rebellious teen, or a financial misfortune, do we respond with interest, concern, and caring? Or do we shake our heads sadly over the tragic news then forget about it ten minutes later?
Nehemiah Has Depth Perception
Nehemiah does not forget, and he doesn’t move on. He immediately perceives there is a problem and thinks about what it means to the safety and welfare of the people. He grieves for the danger and their future.
The Israelites are in trouble, and what they need is for someone to notice. They have their man in Nehemiah.
Nehemiah has developed something every believer needs: depth perception. Perception is the vital ability to listen and process what is really happening in our culture or in the lives of the people around us. It is not easy to force ourselves to fully comprehend difficulties and feel concern and even anguish, but to love others well it is necessary.
Nehemiah is miles away from his people when he hears the bad news, but he still cares about them and makes it his business to know their world. He is alert to the cares of those he loves.
Nehemiah is a very busy man with a job that easily could have gone to his head and made him selfish, but it doesn’t. He is available to listen to his friends. Nehemiah puts aside his busy concerns and inquires intently about the Israelites’ welfare. Because Nehemiah is alert, available, and attentive, he gets it. He fully understands the magnitude of the danger his people are in without a wall to protect them.
Second Lesson from Nehemiah 1: Be Passionate
We know from just one verse, Nehemiah 1:4, that Nehemiah is passionate. He hears the distressing news about his people’s safety, and he sinks into a chair and weeps. His passion is so great that the emotion overwhelms and consumes him for days. In fact, his passion will drive the rest of his story. It is the fuel that keeps him focused on the task for which God has exclusively designed him.
Passion makes Nehemiah a bold and courageous leader for Israel. It drives him to action. He does not freeze in fear. He pours his passion into action. Organized, calculated, purposeful action. His passion never fails because it is fueled by love. Nehemiah loves his God and loves his people, and he will do anything for them.
Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” And where your heart is fuels your passion.
Third Lesson from Nehemiah 1: Ponder the Problem
In verse 4 we see Nehemiah ponder his people’s desperate situation for days. Perception is the ability to see what is happening around us. Pondering is deliberately contemplating the significance of what we perceive.
Nehemiah, man of wisdom that he is, perceives the tragedy of the situation, and it grieves him. In fact, it grieves him so much he takes time to mourn, fast, and pray about it for days.
He allows himself to feel the sadness of the situation. Painful, yes, but necessary if one is going to ponder something difficult. Nehemiah knows that Israel’s plight is critical and that it has been brought to His attention for a reason. So he gives time to pondering his people’s need.
Making Time to Ponder
Pondering takes time. No easy thing to do when you work for the most powerful king in the world. There is likely a long list of people waiting to take his position if he slacks off. That’s a lot of pressure to keep up his performance at all times, but he does not allow work concerns to usurp God’s concerns.
Nehemiah’s priority is to ponder the news that has been laid at his feet. The devastation of God’s chosen people. Their lives and their future are at risk. Is there anything he can do about it?
Reflection Point
Does anyone really have time to ponder these days? We pack more into a day than ever before in history. The reality is we do have time to ponder. We just use that time for other things. Pondering takes time and selflessness. We have to give up time in less productive endeavors to be productive for God.
Perception and Pondering Fuel Passion
Perception and pondering fuel passion. For example, had Nehemiah not been pondering the situation in Jerusalem over the years, would he have even thought to ask his brother about them? If he had been distracted and not listening, would he have perceived the problem? No, he would have missed the opportunity.
But he does listen, and it drives Nehemiah’s heart. It fuels a fire that expands his capacity far beyond himself. Passion can do the same for us. We must perceive the doors God opens to us and ponder the opportunity until passion grows. Then we take that passion and put it into action.
Fourth Lesson from Nehemiah 1: Pray for Direction and Favor
But before taking any action, we should follow Nehemiah’s lead and pray. Prayer is the right response to passion.
What was Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1?
If you Google or ask AI what the 10 greatest examples of prayer are in the Bible, this next one will be on the list for good reason.
Nehemiah does nothing without a well-thought-out structure. The structure may not be new to you. It has 4 parts: Praise, Confess, Thanks, Request.
- Praise: In Nehemiah 1:5-6, he opens by praising God. He says God is the God of Heaven, great and awesome, and One who keeps His covenant of love. Acknowledging who God is in our prayers reminds us God sees all, knows all, and has a plan for all. That includes us. This positioning comforts and encourages us. The word encourage contains the word courage, and when we are encouraged in the Lord we feel the courage to act for the Lord.
- Confess: Next Nehemiah confesses to God in Nehemiah 1:6-7. In this case, Nehemiah confesses for his people, including himself. He is a member of this family of sons from the 12 tribes of Jacob. And their sin is clearly expressed in his request for forgiveness. They have not obeyed the commands given to Moses.
- Thanks: The thanks in Nehemiah 1:8-10 is obscure but Nehemiah expresses his thanks to God by recalling the promise that God makes to His people. Nehemiah is grateful he doesn’t need to worry about his people because of what God has done.
- Request: The last thing Nehemiah does in Nehemiah 1:11 is request or petition God for what is on his heart. His request is so brief that it is initially unclear what he is asking. First he wants God to hear him. Then he asks for success, or by some interpretations mercy.
Want to pray more purposefully like Nehemiah using these four steps? Use our simple acts prayer guide in the show notes to give it a try!
The Power of Favor
What was Nehemiah asking to have success with? It doesn’t say. Perhaps that’s because he’s been mourning the problem for months and trusts God knows exactly what he intends to do. He just needs success with the king to do it.
And so he asks for favor. If we would all find favor with others, how glorious would the kingdom be?
- Abraham, Noah and Joseph found favor in Genesis.
- Moses asks for favor and receives it in Exodus.
- Hannah asks for favor and Samuel grows in favor in 1 Samuel.
- Esther finds favor in the book of Esther.
- Mary finds favor in Luke.
- Jesus grows in favor with both God and man.
Nehemiah needs God to give him favor with the king because, if he doesn’t find favor, the king could kill him for asking. Interestingly, he asks for success and favor today. Why and how does he know he needs it today? We don’t know. But God is only too happy to give this humble, willing, courageous servant such a right request.
Fifth Lesson from Nehemiah 1: Patiently Wait for Opportunities
Nehemiah turned to God for months first. He has other choices. He could have jumped right into planning, called a meeting, set up committees, raised money, and taken charge. But he doesn’t.
Nehemiah is so wise. Whatever past experiences God has provided him, Nehemiah has learned his lessons well, and he knows he needs the Lord to be the leader of his expedition. He perceives and is passionate. He ponders and prays.
Reflection Point
Prayer is Nehemiah’s first step toward developing a plan for his people. We really cannot skip this step. He knows better than to waste one minute trying to plan without consulting God. We will save a lot of time and energy if we follow his example.
Another humble man of great power and influence felt the same way as Nehemiah about prayer. Abraham Lincoln said of prayer, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those about me seemed insufficient for the day.”
Was Nehemiah a cupbearer?
In verse 11 Nehemiah says, “I was cupbearer to the king.” In other words, I hear You God. You have always known why You put me in this position. Now I know too. I am a Jewish cupbearer to the king for such a time as this to save God’s people. I am ready, and I am willing.
So simple, so accepting, so humble. Yet we will see in the episodes to come as Nehemiah plans and perseveres that behind this man’s serene acceptance lies a fierce determination to execute God’s will.
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