Nehemiah 1: The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. - Nehemiah 1:1-2
Context
Susa is the capital of the Persian Empire
The citadel is the palace and residence of the King
c.536 BC The first wave of Jewish exiles returns to Jerusalem, and with the
permission of King Cyrus of Persia, begins to rebuild the Temple.
The date shows us that this is about 90 years after the first group of exiles
return to Judea and about 10 years after the second group has returned. 140
years from the beginning of the exile.
Judea is part of the Persian Empire, one of its provinces.
A group that had been to Jerusalem 1300km away has returned and
Nehemiah asks about the city.
Question: Nehemiah was born and raised in Susa/Persia, it was the only life he knew:
Why do you think he was concerned for Jerusalem? (He could have just enjoyed his life of luxury and privilege where he was).
In what ways can we become comfortable and settled in our present situation, do we need a shake-up?
Context
c.445 BC The third wave of Jewish exiles returns to Jerusalem under Nehemiah and the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt.
3 They said to me, “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.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. - Nehemiah 1:3-4
Questions: It's been 90 years since the people first returned and the place is still in ruins and despair:
What have they been doing?
Why do you think Nehemiah has such an emotional attachment to Jerusalem?
Do you/we have such commitment to things/places/events from so long ago? What would they be?
Do they help us look to the future, do they help us dream of what might be?
5 Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. - Nehemiah 1:5-7
Questions:
Nehemiah starts by doing what?
Do we begin our journey with God and his plans by admitting our failings and sin first?
How do you feel about taking responsibility for collective sin, I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. Is this even a thing in our church today?
Are we blind to collective sin because we are so focused on personal sin?
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ 10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. - Nehemiah 1:8-11
Nehemiah holds a dream. A dream that is based in a promise that God made to his ancestors. He points this out to God and claims this dream as his own this is what he wants for Israel and Judea, for his people for God’s people. With this dream and the promise of God from the past he boldly approaches God in asking for this to take place. He has prayed, he has the dream, has asked God to fulfill His promise and now he acts.
Questions:
What dreams do we have at MBC?
(Dreams and visions of what God wants for us His church here in Mayfield, Newcastle, Australia the world).
Have we prayed, do we know the dreams have we asked for His help are we willing to act?
How long are we willing to wait, 100 years?
Context; I was cupbearer to the king.
This position Nehemiah was in was second only to the King himself. It was a position with immense power and privilege and access to the King, and a position he was willing to risk and use to see God’s will done.
Question:
How much are we willing to risk to see His will done?
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