STUDY ON NEHEMIAH DESIGNED FOR ABRAHAM'S TABERNACLE SAGAMU (Written by Rev Dele Kolade) AN INTRODUCTION The book of Nehemiah is a master piece autobiographical narrative and a good example of a community life built around common goal, mobilized behind a herculean task, led by a character resourced with people’s skill. At the time, Israel was under the Persian Empire. The historical dating of the events in this book is pegged around 445-432 BCE. The narrative is all about Nehemiah marshalling the community towards rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the socio-religious reform, and the repopulation of the city. These events are complemented by the account of EZRA. In 445 BCE,Artaxerxes 1 authorized Nehemiah to super intend the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall, a task completed within 52 days. The material we are about to study is about is about the community strategies employed by Nehemiah which led to the completion of this great project within 52 days amidst intimidations from enemies and socio-religious challenges from within the community itself. THE BIRTH OF A VISION (NEH. 1:1-3) PART ONE It takes a soul ignited by God’s fire to initiate divinely ordained spiritual awakening resulting in accomplishment of God’s intent. The scripture in view today is the beginning of God’s move over an individual the “conflagration” of which positively affected the entire Judean community. The phrase, “the words of Nehemiah, the son of Hachalian” (Vs 1), Is a testimony to the historicity of the book and a formula suggesting its an autobiographical narrative. The name “Nehemiah” means “God has comforted” looking at the nature of the events in the book, can there be any connection between the name of the principal character and the events in the book? Nehemiah was employed in the Persian court as a cupbearer (ref. Vs 11). How relevant is Nehemiah’s Job background to his new divine appointment? How can Christians utilize their secular influence in promoting the work of God? HANANI’S MISSION (VS 2-3) – Hanani a brother of Nehemiah and his associates’ report to Nehemiah was the very beginning of the great change about to take pace in Jerusalem. What lessons can we as Christians learn from the way Hanani communicated with Nehemiah? The report was a sorry case of the people (remnant) of Judah who returned from exile and the once glorious Jerusalem now in ruin. What 4 problems were mentioned in verse 3? What are some of the problems we can also identify in the church today? THE BIRTH OF A VISION (1:4 – 11) PART TWO Our reactions to divine instruction revelations and promptings usually demonstrate what actions we will probably take. Our aliveness to the things of God is always demonstrated in our reactions to the divine promptings. Nehemiah’s reaction after hearing the “bad report” tells a lot about his relationship with God even before Hanani and his associates came to Susan. Vision thrives only in a heart that is alive in Christ. What 4 reactions of Nehemiah are mentioned in verse 4? What do they communicate about him? Vs 5-11 give a summary of the petitive and intercessory prayers of Nehemiah, the contents of which finds parallels in some other prayers in the Bible. These interesting parallels may be attestation to Nehemiah’s closeness with the scriptures of religious tradition of his people. Check up the following parallels:  Neh 1:56 vs Deut 7:9, Dan 9:4, 1kings 8:23  Neh. 1:5a vs Deut 7:21  Neh 1:6 vs 1Kg 8:28-29, 8:52, 2Chro. 6:40, 7:15, Ps.130:2  Neh 1:7 vs Deut 5:31, Deut 34:5  Neh 1:8 vs Deut 4:27, Deut 28:64  Neh 1:9 vs Deut 12:5, Deut 12:11, Deut 30:14  Neh 1:10 vs Ex 32:11, 1Chron 17:21, Deut 9:29 What significance does the epithet “God of heaven” have in relation to Nehemiah’s situation and location at the time of the prayer? There is a great relevance in Nehemiah reiterating the universality of God at the time of his prayer. (vs 5) What does the phrase “day and night” indicate about the prayer life of Nehemiah, what lessons can we learn from his piety? Vs 6a What can we deduce from the “solidarity and representational confessions in his prayer? Vs 6-7. In our prayer today, how we appropriate the theology of “reminding God of His promises? Vs 8-9 There is a strong indication in verse 11 that other faithful Jews were busy praying for divine intervention. The sovereignty of God is further entrenched in Nehemiah’s appeal to God grant him favor before the king. Do we also recognize God’s sovereignty over our earthly leaders? THE LEGAL BACKING (2:1-10) Many a time favor and break through around may be an indication of divine sanction to a project or a decision. When God gives a vision He backs kit with provision. It is necessary for every visionary to pray in favor with men and resources to accomplish the vision. Before you set out to seek for help from men, pray for divine openings and favor first. Four months after learning about Jerusalem’s sorry condition, Nehemiah found an opportunity to request help from the emperor (Nisan is around March – April) What does the context indicated in verse 1 tell of Nehemiah’s previous nature ad attitude? What as Christian workers can we learn about our attitude to work from this picture? Vs 2. As leaders in various capacities, we must appreciate the emperor’s ability to right discern Nehemiah’s condition and him further question. Do we also study people’s countenance? Do we investigate interrogate or intimidate people who look (negatively) different from how we used to know them? Vs 3. Is there any relationship between importances attached by Nehemiah to the burial place of his ancestors? The king’s open ended question of what do you want is a clear sign of divine breakthrough. As a leader, are you also interested in the interest of your subordinates? That Nehemiah again resorted to God before responding to the king’s question again re-emphasized his intimacy with God and the fact that he always consulted God on every issue of his life. (Vs 4) Nehemiah was very specific in his response and request (vs 5). One of the reasons why we don’t get what we want (either from people or God) is because we are not specific in our demands or requests. Part of planning is timing. It is essential to set our projections around specific time frame. The king wanted to know when Nehemiah will finish the task of rebuilding Jerusalem What do you suggest necessitated this question from the king?( Vs 6 ) Vs 7-9 shows Nehemiah’s request for approval document and other resources that can help him fulfill his task. How do you think we should also request for things we need to fulfill our God’s given vision? INSPECTION FOR PROJECTION (2:11-20) Most visions, missions and projects are unfulfilled today because of initial lack of proper evaluation and planning. In today’s passage, Nehemiah demonstrates a very important leadership and visionary skill that we should all understand and emulate. Whenever we fail to plan and plan well then we are simply planning to woefully fail. Nehemiah is not only a good strategist but also a good communicator. How do we go about evaluation and communication of our vision? 2:11-20 FIELD OR OFFICE? (VS11) Many a time we are detached from reality because we are not at the real point or place of action. The “location” of our evaluation is important because where we are determines how we see what we see. We are plan from wrong places or wrong people our panning becomes non-effective. Nehemiah came down to where the actual problems are to have a better personal view and assessment of the matter. How should the church emulate Nehemiah in this regard? TIME FOR PLANNING.(VS11-16) Nehemiah demonstrated not only great planning skills but put planning in it right place. He never rushed into action but concentrated his efforts first in understanding by him the situation on the ground. He spent the first 3 days only inspecting the damage or the severity of the situation. Why do you think Nehemiah went on inspection in the night? How do we apply this action in our planning today? Why should Nehemiah go with only few people to inspect the damage? MOTIVATION & MOBILIZATION (VS 17-20) Many visionaries fail today not for lack of vision but for lack of necessary communication skill to mobilize people to work. Nehemiah knew how to arrest people’s attention and help them own the vision and the project. The sense of ownership in necessary in mobilizing people around a project What are some of the communication skills Nehemiah employed in his address to the people? Of what importance is his reference to the divine approval in vs 18a? THE WORK FORCE (3:1-32) Genuine leaders don’t act alone but they connect with others. Nehemiah knew how to connect with others and how to mobilize others to work. Pastoring is not the same as doing ministry all alone but developing people to do ministry. The picture in this passage is about a strategic division of labor by employed by Nehemiah to accomplish the big task by sharing it among the people. This can be described as using cells to handle task. What can we learn from this passage? i. It gives a clear picture of the topography of Jerusalem ii. It re-echoes the importance of record keeping iii. It gives impressive evidence of Nehemiah’s organizational and administrative skill iv. It shows widespread support for the wall building project. Of what importance is the involvement of Eliashib and his priestly crew in the building project? Does Eliashib heading the list of the workers tell you something about the pastorate position in God’s kingdom business? What does the apparent omission of Nehemiah’s name from the list of the workers suggest? HANDLING OPPOSITIONS (4:1-23) Our ability to rightly handle opposition is a major pre requisite to fulfillment of our vision and aspiration in life. That you have opposition is a clear sign that you have a strong position. Nehemiah was surrounded by opposition from every side-Sanballant from the north, the Arabs, under the influence of Geshem to the south; the Ammorites to the east and the Ashdodites to the west. Apart from these external oppositions were also internal traitors. It must be said that oppositions to Nehemiah’s vision began right away from the very beginning of his mission. Let us study how he handled his much opposition The oppositions from the very onset were not happy with Nehemiah mission. What do you think is the reason for there grieve in 2:10? What do you suggest caused the increase in the number of opposition in 2:19? The people were mocked and indicted against the emperor’s authority. What do you think the motives of the enemies were? In 2:20 Nehemiah decided to answer the enemies. Why do you think Nehemiah should do that? When Sanballat heard of the commencement of the building project he became greatly incensed. Why do you think he should feel this way? (4:1) Sanballat raised 5 sarcastic questions aimed at derailing the workers. How do you analyses these questions and what could their effect had been? • What are those feeble Jews doing? • Will they fortify themselves or restore their wall? • Will they offer sacrifices or expect a miracle to aid them in the project? • Will they finish in a day or in record time? • Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble-burned as they are? Tobiah also rained verbal attack on the Jews’ workmanship and the quality of their building materials. He suggested that if a nimble fox jump on their wall it would knock it over. Nehemiah response was also verbal but not directed directly at the enemies but an imprecatory prayer addressed to God (4:4-5) Strategically, Nehemiah translated oppositions’ insult into catalyst for greater action. Vs 6. What can we learn from this response? What major factor is identified in this verse making the work possible? • Vs 7-8 present a sudden change in enemies’ tactics of attack. Now, the 4 major enemies blocks came together to plan a major physical attack. • What were the responses of Jews to the new plan of the enemies? Vs.9 • Does the addiction of watching with prayer tell you of anything? Vs 9 • What were some of the negative effects of this new development (plan of the enemies) on the Jews and the work? Vs 10-12 A new strategy for the project was developed by Nehemiah; “watching and working”. What do you think can be the dangers if the principle of combining watching with working is not practiced? Vs 17-18. What are some of the practical examples of non-application or misapplication of this principle in the Christian life today? How do we prevent and or redress these anomalies in our lives?  How do you see Nehemiah speech of vs 14?  What does the sounding of the trumpet represent? Vs 20.  Why was the trumpeter needed vs 19  Why do you think the trumpeter should be near Nehemiah? What does this imply in ministry?  What does vs 23 connote? SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES (5:1-19) It was not only the threat of the external enemies that raised its head against the work but also the multifaceted internal socio-economic challenges. At time we over concentrate on the external threats and we loose sight of the many internal challenges. In this passage, certain internal challenges were recognized and consequently tackled to ease the internal frictions there were developing among the people. The first group of the complainers were probably landless poor formers who were forced to pledge the labor of their sons and daughters in exchange for essential food stuffs. How do we relate this to our contemporary child labor and abuse saga? Vs 1-2 The second group of debtors complained that they have had to pledge fields, vineyard and houses in order to get grain. (Vs 3). How do you understand their desperation for survival in term of our attitude towards possessions? The third group of debtors has had to borrow silver in order to pay the Persian royal tax, again using their fields and vineyards as collateral (vs 4). The unfortunate thing is that the creators who were foreclosing on loans to all three groups were members of the Jewish community. Is there any relation in this situation with the African economic woes? NEHEMIAH’S RESPONSE (6-13) How good will it be if all leaders will spontaneously respond to the cry of the oppressed and the marginalized in the society just as Nehemiah did. Reflect on the following actions of Nehemiah in resolving the issue and see how these actions can be applied today in conflict resolution.  He boldly confronted the upper class and expressed his displeasure at their exploitation on their brethrens vs 6-7.  Soberly reflected on the issue .Vs 7a  He convened a public assembly o deal with the brutal creditors. Vs 7b  The response was a great repentance and restitution. Vs 12-13 Read through vs 14-19 and careful dilate on the practical example of Nehemiah in helping the less privilege and sacrificially serving God and his nation. What can leaders learn from this selfless service? COU TERACTING ANTAGONISM (6:1-19) Nehemiah, in this portion of the book demonstrated wisdom and prudence in dealing with the multi-dimensional antagonism besetting him and invariably his noble vision of re-fortifying and re-populating Jerusalem. It is interesting to see the many nature of the antagonism, the tactics employed and the many people involved in the various plots. What can you probably attribute the sudden soft tone of the enemies words in vs 2 to? Can it be connected to the incredible progress chalked as started in vs 1? Sunballat and Geshem wanted to meet with Nehemiah at Ono, 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem and for that matter one of the most remote parts of the province. Is there anything we can learn from the courteous but candid response of Nehemiah to the request for a meeting with the enemies of Ono? Vs 3 Vs 4 why should the same message (which was already rejected) sent again 4 more time? Nehemiah was very consistent in giving the same response. What can we learn from this consistency as Christians? Vs 5-7 presents a change in enemies’ attack tactics. An opened letter was reportedly sent to Nehemiah accusing him of rebelling against Persian Empire. Why do you think the letter was left unsealed? If Sanballat really thought Nehemiah was traitorous, why would he want to meet with him? Nehemiah responded by refuting the allegations and praying for more divine support. FALSE PROPHECIES (vs 10-14) Nehemiah has to contend with false prophecies from Shemaia (10) and Noadiah(vs 14)  How do you see Shemiaiah prophecy of fear in relation to some of our contemporary so called “prophets”?  What do you think is wrong with Nehemiah going into the temple’s innermost (vs 10, 13)  What would have been the negative consequences of Nehemiah listening to these false prophecies according to vs 13? Vs 14 suggest very strongly that Tobiah had many political and religious supporters from inside Jerusalem. Written By Rev Dele Kolade (Pastor in charge)