LESSON 18
LESSON 18 NEHEMIAH 1 : 1 – 2 : 20
The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. —Nehemiah 1:3 Though the new temple stood for about 70 years, Jerusalem’s wall remained in ruins. Nehemiah was grieved by the news of Jerusalem’s poor condition. Obtaining per- mission and help from the king, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem with a group of exiles to rebuild the wall. The party led by Nehemiah was the third group of exiles to return. He arrived 13 years after Ezra led his group back. Rebuilding the walls of a conquered city posed an obvious threat to the surround- ing Persian Empire. Only one whom the king trusted would have been permitted to do such a thing. At just the right time, God raised up Nehemiah as a cupbearer and confidant of King Artaxerxes. The king may have looked favorably on the Jews be- cause of Esther’s influence. Nonetheless, from Nehemiah’s high position, God used him to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, despite Persian control of the city.
READ THE WORD Pray. Take a moment to pray, asking the Lord to prepare your heart and teach you.
Nehemiah 1:1–2:20 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O L ord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word
Nehemiah 1:1–2:20 | 181
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator