STUDY OUTLINES ON THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH
By Revd Dr. Ifechukwu U. Ibeme
e-mail: [email protected]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: BURDEN
FOR RESTORATION
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 1
As a result of
Israelites’ backsliding and sin, God handed them over to the Babylonians who
carried them to exile and destroyed Jerusalem. In fulfillment of Jeremiah’s
prophecy (Jer. 29:10) and Daniel’s prediction (Dan 5:28), after 70 years,
Babylon fell into the hands of the Medians and Persians and the Israelites were
free to return home. Zerubabel had
returned with the first batch of surviving remnants and rebuilt the Jerusalem
Altar and Temple. After another 80
years, Ezra returned with the second batch and began Bible Teaching and
reformation. When Ezra had laboured on the revival for 10 years, God’s people
were stirred to regain their rights and rebuild Jerusalem City Wall.
It was 90
years now since they returned to be under Samaritan governors. The Samaritans
had opposed attempts to rebuild the wall for 20 years now (Ezra 4:7-23),
Oppressing and disgracing God’s people. And now they have even broken down the
partially built wall and burned the gates with fire. God’s people needed
restoration and God had prepared a human instrument in the person of Nehemiah.
Hallelujah!
Hanani was
sent to see his brother Nehemiah with the problem, for advice and help (1:1-3).
Nehemiah was then the closest man (Cupbearer) to the King Artaxexes of Persia
(1:11c). On hearing the tragic news, Nehemiah was greatly burdened for his
brethren (1:4): so he began to make supplications for his people, that God
would restore Judah through his ministry (1:5-11).
1. In praying for our Church (or our nation),
what could we learn from Nehemiah? (Verses 2 and 6).
2. In what ways are the people of God
experiencing distress (trouble) and reproach (disgrace) or how the wall of
Christ’s own Church is broken down and her gates burned with fire today?
3. Do these spiritual and physical tragedies
move you to do something about the restoration of God’s people today? (Verses
2,4 and 11).
4. What various prayer patterns could you
identify in Nehemiah’s prayer? (Verse 5-11).
Lord, give ME
burden and prepare ME as an instrument for the restoration of your people in my
generation. Amen.
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: PREPARATION
FOR RECONSTRUCTION
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 2
Nehemiah
prepared himself by praying
day and night throughout the months of Chislev, Tebeth, Shebat and Adar until
the month of Nissan (1:1 and 2:1). Then
the King Artaxerxes noticed Nehemiah’s sad face and inquired why, so he replied
that Judah laid waste and he wanted the King to send him there to rebuild
it (2:1-5)
In response, the King removed the right
of the Samaritan governors over Judah by appointing Nehemiah as the governor of
an independent Judah (2:20 and 5:14). He also gave Nehemiah the PERMISSION,
PROTECTION and PROVISION for his work of rebuilding Jerusalem. When the
Samaritan and Arab governors learned about this, they became angry because they
had lost their authority over Judah (2:6-1).
On arrival, Nehemiah surveyed the wall
first. Next, he called the Jews and prepared them by exhorting them to rise up
and build. On hearing this, Samballat, the Samaritan governors and Tobiah, his
assistant joined with Geshem, the Arab governor to scoff and mock at the Jews
in order to discourage and frustrate the people of God (2:12-20).
1. How long did Nehemiah wait upon the Lord
in prayer? While praying, what obvious preparation did he undergo?
(a) 1:4 (b) 1:7 (c)
2:5 (d)
2:7,8.
2. Does the poor spiritual and physical state
of our church (or our Nation) move you to BURDEN, PENITENCE, and READINESS and
to plan ahead for the restoration of God’s People?
3. What
could you learn from verse 4?
4. What
could we learn from Nehemiah about:
(a) Faith
and Action? (b) Prayer and
Planning?
5. Nehemiah
was prepared through prayer.
How
did he prepare God’s people (2:17,18).
6. Mockery
is one of the devil’s weapons (2:19)
How
does this apply to us today? (2 Pet. 3:3).
What should be our attitude towards
mockers and scoffers? (2:20:Ps.1:1).
MEMORY VERSE: Nehemiah chapter 2 verses
17 and 18.
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the
distress that we are in, how
Jerusalem lieth waste, and the
gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of
Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my
God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto
me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands
for this good work. “(Neh 2:17-18)
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: EVERYBODY
AT WORK
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 3
Following the
exhortation by Nehemiah (2:17,18), the people of God were all motivated and
mobilized into action. The work was taken up in families and groups: It was
shared in portions (about 42 portions) from the sheep gate (3:1) right round
the wall back to the sheep gate (3:5), EVERYBODY took active part in the work
irrespective of their social status, occupation, sex and skill.
Each group,
delegated under their leaders and identified by their works has been recorded
in this chapter for an everlasting memorial in the scriptures of God.
1.
Each group with its leader was remembered for their work.
What does this teach us about:
(a)
Leadership
(b)
Follower-ship
(c)
And working for the Lord?
(Compare
Rev. 2:1-2 & 3:1)
2.
What could we learn from verses 5 & 12?
3.
Though expert builders could have been given the contract,
but what various occupations could we identify amongst the builders (verses
1,8,9,17,26,29 and 32).
What
does this teach you about the work of restoration?
4.
EVERYBODY participated to repair and restore the OLD WALL
of Jerusalem. How does this apply to our Church and us to day?
5. Although Nehemiah and Ezra are not listed here, what could have been their role during the work? What could you learn from their leadership strategies of:
(a) Delegation of
duty;
(b) Division of
labour and
(c) Mass
mobilization?
According
to this record, Baruch worked diligently (V.20), Hanun did a lot of work (v. 13
and 30), and the Tekoite nobles did not participate though their brethren did
double work (v.5 and 27). What shall
God record about you and your work?
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: RECONSTRUCTION
OPPOSED
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 4
“Satan” is a
Hebrew word meaning: adversary, antagonist, troublemaker, opposer. With the
reconstruction begun and progressing in earnest, Satan used all kinds of people
to cause trouble and oppose the work of God.
First, Satan
used the Samaritans and Ammonites led by Samballat and Tobiah to ridicule the
Jews through mockery. This was to make the Jews feel that the reconstruction
was half-hearted, and so not worth pursuing (4:1-6). Refer 2:19,20 for earlier
instance of mockery.
Second, the
Philistines (Ashdodites) and the Arabs were co-opted by Satan to team-up with
the Samaritans and the Ammonites and threaten to attack God’s people. This was
to get the Jews afraid and fend for their lives instead of doing God’s work
(4:7-9).
Third, Satan
went inside the men of Judah, who became weakened by the outside oppositions
and the amount of work to be done and so began to complain. This was aimed at
discouraging God’s people and stopping the work (4:10-14).
In all these,
God’s people resisted the Adversary and his instruments. So the opposition
failed and the restoration work continued (4:15-23).
DISCUSSIONS:
1. Today some people, especially from
outside our Church still despise and ridicule the restoration move of God in
our Church.
(a) In
what forms do these reproaches come?
(b) What
should be our attitude to such mockery (v.4-6).
2. Even in our church we still have people
who threaten to attack and disband any restoration move by God today.
3. Amongst those who are themselves
involved in the restoration move of God, some get discouraged by the ridicule,
the threatenings and the amount of work.
What should be
our attitude to such discouragements (v.14-18)
MEMORY VERSE:
Nehemiah 4:9.
“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a
watch against them day and night, because of them.” (Neh 4:9)
Back
to Table Of Contents
NEHEMIAH 5
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: SOCIAL
REFORMATION BEGINS
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 5
Since the
return of the Israelites from exile, their restoration had gone on through
SPIRITUAL REVIVAL started by Ezra and STRUCTURAL RECONSTRUCTION led by
Nehemiah, who also now began SOCIAL REFORMATION. The whole RESTORATION movement
was successful because God’s people responded positively with commitment and
REDEDICATION.
Reformation,
means correction and modification, amendment and improvement, removing wrongs
and stumbling blocks while introducing rights and stepping-stones. Reformation
may be social or religious, general or personal.
Nehemiah’s
social reforms were aimed at relieving God’s people of social burdens so that
God’s work would not be hindered. Three categories of people made an outcry for
reform:
(i)
The landless who subjected their children to slavery for land;
(ii)
The landowners who mortgaged their lands for food and
money;
(iii)
Other landowners who had to borrow to pay their land dues.
All
these could not redeem their children and property since economic hardship and
high interest charges made it difficult for them to pay their debts (5:1-5).
The
relief measures introduced by Nehemiah:
(i) removed
interest charges as commanded by God in Deut 23:19-20;
(ii)
returned
mortgaged properties;
(iii)
redeemed
and freed enslaved children (5:6-13).
He also refused to collect the governor’s provision from
the people (5:14-19). Despite all these social problems the work on the wall
continued (5:16).
1. (a) Discuss the
various categories of people who are crying
out
for genuine reforms in the Church (and Nation) today.
(b) Do these genuine outcries move you with concern? (V.6, 7)
(c) Think deeply and suggest possible bible-based modifications,
improvements and changes that could be carried out to relieve these outcries
and promote God’s work?
2. What do we learn, from the outcry of the Israelites to
Nehemiah, about the evil of profiteering in business and exploitation of the
poor?
3. Nehemiah ensured the sincerity of the nobles and the success
of the reforms with oath swearing (v.12):
(a)
Could Christians swear an oath (by God’s
name) for the course of justice? (Jer. 4:2 and12:16; Matt. 26:63,64).
(b)
Could God’s people swear by God’s name for
the establishment of truth and sincerity?
(Rom 9:1 2 Cor 1:23; 11:31; Gal 1:20; 1 Thes. 2,5:10).
(c)
What kind of oath then must Christians
never swear (Lev. 19:12; Matt. 5:34; Jas 5:12).
CONCLUSION:
Nehemiah testified of his decided role
in the restoration of God’s People.
What role have you decided to play today?
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: OPPOSITIONS
OVERCOME
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
6
When Samballat, Tobiah and Geshem saw
that they could not mount any effective opposition against God’s people
generally, they decided to concentrate on their leader, Nehemiah. Their aim was
to prevent the godly leader from having a settled mind, so as to distract and
discourage him from accomplishing God’s work. This is certainly satanic.
First, they persistently invited him to
a solitary place to be killed, pretending that the invitation was to a dialogue
(6:1-4).
Second, they published a false rumour
alleging that Nehemiah was planning a rebellion and that he was leading the
restoration with evil intentions and for personal profit. This was to force Nehemiah to attend the
dialogue and be killed 96:5-9).
Third, the opposers of God’s work hired
prophet Shemaiah to pretend being shut-in under a prophetic seclusion, and to
make Nehemiah come to consult him.
Under a pretentious prophetic word, he advised Nehemiah to run for his
life and hide in the Holy Place, which is against God’s word in Leviticus 3:5
and 18:7, that only priests should enter the Holy Place. Other prophets and
Prophetesses also tried to misguide the godly leader (6:10-14).
Fourth, the opposers monitored Nehemiah
through inside informants whom they bought over through intermarriage,
letter-writing and offering of money (6:17-19).
1. “Godly success stimulates satanic
opposition.” Do you oppose godly success? In what ways have you seen godly
restoration opposed in our Church (and Nation) today?
2. What is our desire and vision for
humanity? (Isa.11:9; Luke 11:2; 24:47). Are you committed to making these your
mission? How far do some of us get discouraged and diverted by FRIENDLY
deceivers and HOSTILE persecutors?
3. Why are you involved in the work of
restoration in our Church today? Give instances where people got involved:
(a) for personal profit and (b)
for godly service.
4. What do you learn from Nehemiah’s attitude
to the intrigue, slander and deceit by the opposers of God’s work?
CONCLUSION 2
Corinthians 4:1-5
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” (2Co 4:1-5)
THEME: RESTORATION
FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: THE
REMNANTS WHO RETURNED
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
7
After
completing the Jerusalem wall, there was still the need for a continued watch
over the city. Nehemiah therefore appointed Hanani and Hananiah to take charge
over Jerusalem (7:1-4).
God
also moved Nehemiah to gather all the returned remnants at Jerusalem for the
purpose of registering them according to their families (the remnants who returned belonged to the
tribes of Judah, Benjamin and the families of Priests, Levites and Nethinim.
See chapter 11). At this time Nehemiah found the 90-years-old register compiled
earlier by Zerubabel (7:5-73).
NOTES: (1) of all the ten northern tribes (Israel),
who followed Jeroboam and later were carried to exile by Assyria, none ever
returned. Their remnant that was left-behind eventually mingled with other
nations and became known as the Samaritans (Ezr 4:4; 2 Kin 17).
(2) Of the two southern tribes and the temple
ministers (Judah) that followed the hose of David and were later carried to
exile by Babylon, only a remnant returned and was registered. Their synagogue
Yahwehism developed by Ezra is called Judaism and they are called Jews (7:6).
(3) Consultation of the Urim and Thummim
(7:65) was one of the means of knowing God’s will in the Old Testament times (1
Sam 28:6; Prov 16:33). The Urim and Thummim were two special types of lots used
only by the Aaronic priests to give guidance to God’s people (Exd 28:30). Using them involved prayers to
God before casting them as lots for an answer. (1 Sam 23:9-12).
DISCUSSIONS
1. Not every Church member is actively
involved in the vision and mission of restoration in our Church today. Why is
its so? Are you part of the involved remnant? How are you involved?
2. What qualities should we learn from Hanani and Hananiah? (1:2;
7:2).
3. What lessons could you draw from verse 3?
4. Through what means could we find out God’s will in our
lives today?
5. The restoration of God’s people is for the elect remnants who
have returned to the Lord and whom the Lord has chosen and caused to be
registered in the book of genealogy. What must you do to be registered in the
book of genealogy – i.e. the heavenly book of life? (Phil 4:3: Rev.4-6).
6. Those registered remnants gave money and material for God’s
work (vs. 70-72). How could today’s Church gather such amount of gifts for
God’s work?
THEME: RESTORATION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: OUTBREAK OF REVIVAL
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
8
God
had moved Nehemiah to gather the people for a registration census (7:5), but
God also had in mind to revive his people when they gather. It was the seventh month, Tishri, the
festival month (8:2).
When
the returned remnants gathered at Jerusalem, they demanded that the Scriptures
be read and explained to them. Ezra the Scribe-Priest and his team of Bible
teachers took up the challenge with the full support of Nehemiah the Governor.
The Bible exposition convicted the people of their sins. As they wept under the
conviction they were comforted and reminded that the day was the feast of
trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25), which signified victory and joy (8:1-12).
The registration for census turned into
registration for a National Revival Camp convention. The hearts of the people
thirsted after the Word. As the Bible exposition continued the next day, they
discovered that the one-week National Camp Meting for the Feast of Tabernacles
was commanded by God to take place from the 15th of the seventh month (Num
29:12). So what they had started to do spontaneously, they now re-planned to do
in accordance with the command of God’s Word (8:12-18).
1. God desires
His people to hold Holy Gatherings in His Name for Worship, Fellowship, Bible
Exposition, Offerings, Fasting and Festivities (Deut 16:16,17; Matt 18:20).
What are the usual benefits of such gathering? (Acts 2:43, 47; Neh. 8:9b).
2. Faith and
Revival come from reading, hearing and understanding the Word of God (8:3,8;
Rom 10:17). How did God’s people show:
(a)
their
desire for the Word (8:1);
(b)
their respect
for the Word? (8:5,6);
(c)
their
openness to the Word (8:9,12) and
(d)
their
obedience to the Word (8:14,17).
3. What
should we learn from the attitude of God’s people to God’s Word? What
resolutions are you moved to make about the word of God?
4. What is the
place of the Word in the life of God’s People? (8:3; Matt 28:20; 1 Tim 4:13).
What is the benefit of such Bible –based (Evangelical) Christianity? (1 Tim
4:16).
5. The
Holy Spirit works in our hearts through the Word to bring conviction, which leads
to conversion and spiritual renewal. Have you undergone such an experience? If
so, testify.
THEME: RESTORATION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: OUTBREAK OF REVIVAL
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
9 HYMN
A&M 361
Whenever,
through God’s grace, the seed of the Word of God is sown in our hearts in the
power of the Holy Spirit, our hearts become illuminated and we become CONVICTED
(Acts 2:37; 2 Cor. 4:6). The proper and
initial saving response to this illuminating conviction is our CONVERSION
(repentance and faith) from sin to Christ (Act 2:38; Heb 4:2). God seals all
true conversions with Christ’s atoning blood and with the baptismal
REGENERATION of the Holy Spirit into Christ (Eph. 1:13,14; 1 Cor 12:13; Tit
3:5).
After
regeneration, any further conviction leads to continued REDEDICATION and
SANCTIFICATION. Even when a regenerate person backslides, if he/she ever
becomes convicted by the Holy Spirit through God’s grace and God’s Word, and
he/she responds by RENEWAL of his/her mind, God would RESTORE such a one.
In
this chapter, two days after completing the feast of Tabernacles, God’s people
decided to gather for a one day National Rededication Retreat in order to separate
themselves from the other people and focus attention on God and His Word with
fasting (9:1-3). The programme was led by the team of Bible Teachers
(9:4,5). In their prayers they adored
and blessed the Lord (9:5-6); gave God thanks for His gracious dealing with Hs
people (9:7-31); confessed their sins and asked God for forgiveness (9:32-35);
made supplications to God (9:36,37); and pledged to rededicate themselves to
God (9:38). This was an excellently balanced prayer.
DISCUSSIONS:
1.
The people
made out a time of prayer, retreat, self-examination and rededication. What
must we learn from this both individually and collectively?
2.
What were
the details of the retreat programme? (9:3). How far do your quiet times, and
our public services today, reflect this pattern?
3.
Discuss
the prayer of thanksgiving in verse 7-31. What could you learn from it about:
(a) God’s
character and
` (b) our relationship into God?
4.
At the end
of their retreat, the returned remnants took a decision and resolved to
rededicate their lives to the service of God. How far has this been your
experience and our experience?
CONCLUSION:
In every revival three things happen to those revived:
(a)
the
unbelievers are convicted, converted and regenerated and
(b)
the
faithful believers are convicted, rededicated and sanctified.
Which of these
experiences are you having?
THEME: RESTORATION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: RELIGIOUS REFORMATION BEGINS
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
10
INTRODUCTION:
Earlier
in chapter 5, we learned that Reformation means correction and modification,
amendment and improvement, removing wrongs and introducing rights, replacing
stumbling blocks with stepping-stones. In chapter 5, it was social reforms but
in this chapter, Nehemiah leads the returned remnants in religious reforms. The
aim of this religious reformation were
(a)
restoring
the Israelites to a binding covenant relationship with God, and
(b)
correcting
their religious life to agree with the Word of God.
This
time again as in chapter 5:12, Nehemiah used oaths (10:28, 29). This was in order to solemnize the covenant.
Any such solemnization of promises and declarations could only be done in God’s
name (Jer. 4:2; not in any other name (Matt. 5:34; Jas 5:12). This is usually done by acknowledging God’s
living presence (1 Sam 19:6; 2 Kin. 2:2), or calling on Him as a witness (Jer.
42:5; 2 Cor. 1:23) or as Judge (Jdg 21:1,18; 2 Sam 3:3,9).
After
the divine service session, the National Retreat shifted to practical matters
during the business session. A covenant was written and the leaders signed on
behalf of the people (10:1-27). The reforms included in the covenant were:
(i)
forbidding
of mixed marriages (10:30);
(ii)
observance
of the Sabbath laws (10:31);
(iii)
payment
of annual temple support levy (10:32,33);
(iv)
supply
of the wood-offering (10:34);
(v)
offering
of firstfruits and dedication of the firstborns (10:35-37a);
(vi)
payment of
tithes into the temple storehouse (10:37b-39a); and
(vii)
never to
neglect the temple (10:39b).
1.
How does
each of the
seven articles of the
reformation covenant apply to the Church of today? Should these be binding on
us also?
2.
What is
the storehouse (i.e. where our tithes should be paid) in the church of today?
Be Biblical.
3.
Christ commanded
us to comply with whatever promises or declarations we ever make, whether they
are solemnized with an oath or not: to do otherwise is devilish (Matt.
5:33-37). What three things did we all bind ourselves to, as long as we live,
at our conversion, baptism and confirmation? How far do we keep to these vows?
4.
All
Christians are not only under their baptismal oath, they are also bound by the
apostolic curse pronounced in Gal. 1:8 and Rev. 22:18,19. How far do you watch
against these?
May the Lord help us to submit ourselves
to CONTINUOUS REFORMATION towards living and believing according to His Word,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THEME: RESTORATION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: GOD’S PEOPLE RESETTLED
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
11
Up to this time, Jerusalem was still
ruins and uninhabited (7:4). Only the Temple and the Wall were rebuilt, the
rest of the city still bore the mark of burning and destruction carried out by
Nebuchadnezzar and the Samaritans. Neither business nor farming was yet going
on at Jerusalem and it was more prone to the enemy’s attack. As for the rest of
the cities of Judah there were farms, houses and reduced risk of attack.
Therefore a tenth of all the returned
remnants had to be compulsorily chosen by lots to live in Jerusalem. Other
brethren joined voluntarily and were blessed by the people (11:1-3).
God’s people with their leaders from the
descendants of Judah (v.4-6), of Benjamin 9v.7-9) of Priests (v. 10-14), of
Levites (v. 15-18), of Gatekeepers (v. 19) and of Nethinite temple servants (v.
21) – these were chosen or volunteered to dwell in Jerusalem.
The cities of Judea outside Jerusalem
were occupied by descendants of Judah (v. 25-30), of Benjamin (v. 31-35), and
of Levi (v.36). These dwelled secure and farmed their fields (V.25,30).
1.
What roles
and areas OF MINISTRY IN THE Church do God’s people usually shy away from? Why?
2.
What was
the difference between those who were compelled by lots and those who volunteered
willingly to dwell in Jerusalem? (v.2)
How willing are you to take
up difficult tasks and play uncomfortable roles in the Church?
3.
Pethabiah
became the representative at the Kings court (Senator) in Persia (v.24). What
could we learn from this?
4.
The
remnants of Israel who returned were descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Levi and
Temple servants (V.3 and 20). The 10
northern tribes mingled with the Samaritans and Assyrians and have become
assimilated amongst the Arabs such that they could no longer be traced by
genealogy.
What could you learn from their
experience in relation to your Christian faith?
MEMORY VERSE: Nehemiah Chapter 11 verse
2.
“And the people blessed all the
men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.” (Neh 11:2)
THEME: RESTORATION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: THE WALL DEDICATED
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
12
Before
talking about the dedication ceremony of the new Jerusalem wall, this chapter opens
with a record of the Levites who were among the returned remnants. First, the
Priests and Levites who returned with Zerubabel 90 years earlier (12:1-9).
Second, those who ministered after the time of Zerubabel but before the time of
Nehemiah (12:12-21). Third, the priests and Levites from the time of Nehemiah
onwards with special mention of the Choristers and Gatekeepers (12:22-26).
After mobilizing all the Levitical
ministers (v.27-29) and getting them to purify themselves, the people and the
wall (v.30), Nehemiah organized a two-part dedication ceremony of the wall as
follows:
(a) PROCESSIONAL
SERVICE, in which the singers and leaders (v.31) walked round the wall with
singing. There were two processions in opposite directions, each starting from the
Southwest wall (near the Pool of Siloam) moving round towards the Temple to the
Northeast. Hoshaiah, Ezra and Nehemiah’s brother,
Hanani, accompanied the first procession Southward (v. 31-37). Nehemiah
and Hananiah accompanied the second procession Northward (v. 38-39).
(B) CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE, in which all
the people (v. 43) gladly worshipped at the Temple, beginning with
PRAISE-WORSHIP led by the two choirs, directed by Jezrahiah, the Choir-master
(v.40-42). Next was the offering of SACRIFICES by the Priests (v.43), followed
by the COLLECTION of tithes and offerings from God’s people by the Gatekeepers
v.44). The rest of the service is in the next chapter.
The
chapter concludes with a mention of the origin of praise-worship liturgy and a commendation
of Nehemiah and Zerubabel for their support of the Temple workers (V.45-47).
DISCUSSION:
1.
The Psalms
of David were for praise and thanksgiving during services. How did the
Levitical choir sing them? (v. 24,35,36). What is the origin of responsorial
and musical church singing? (v. 46).
2.
What do
you notice about the order and form of the dedication ceremony? What could you
now say about the order and form of our worship services today?
3.
Notice the
presence of children at the service (v. 43). What responsibility does this
remind you of?
4.
From verse
44 and 47, what do you learn about giving GIFTS TO MINISTERS and giving
OFFERINGS TO THE CHURCH? Why is there not much giving in our churches today?
THEME: RESTORATION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
TOPIC: REFORMATION CONTINUED
TEXT: NEHEMIAH
13
Here
we see that on the wall dedication day, the congregational service, which
started with Praise-worship, sacrifices and collection in chapter 12, was
concluded with Bible READING and EXPOSITION to God’s people (13:1-3).
The
restoration work continued under Nehemiah for 12 years (5:14) as planned (2:6),
after which he returned to King Artaxerxes in Babylon (13:6). While Nehemiah
was away, the reformation dwindled. The people backslid from keeping the
ordinances that they had sworn to keep (10:28-39).
On
coming back to Jerusalem after some years, Nehemiah had to continue with the
reformation once again. Firstly, he sent Tobiah’s household out of the
storehouse and purified the storerooms for the storage of the holy articles and
offered goods (13:4-9). Secondly, he made the returned remnants to start again
to bring their tithes and offerings for the upkeep of the Temple Ministers
(13:10-14). Thirdly, he enforced the observance of the Sabbath (13:15-22).
Fourthly, he punished those who married pagan wives, put their wives away and
made them swear by God, never to marry pagan wives again (13:23-27).
When
the people neglected tithes and offerings (13:1) and Eliashib mismanaged what
was left (13:4), the Levites abandoned the Temple. Eliashib also sought
association with the pagan Samaritans who readily supported him (13:7,28). This
unscriptural example led God’s people to backslide.
1.
What did
the congregation learn from the dedication sermon? How did they respond? (V.
3). What about you?
2.
From
Talks, Seminars and Studies that you have attended in the past years, a lot has
been taught. In what areas have you/we
backslidden from progress earlier made?
3.
Nehemiah prayed
God to remember him and his ministry (V.14, 22b, 31b). What lessons could you
learn from this?
4.
From the
backsliding experience of God’s people, what do you learn about the
responsibilities of clergy and congregation, or Executive Council and Fellowship
in sustaining each other’s commitment to Christ?
5.
Oaths give
moral right to punish defaulters, but does it always guarantee compliance?
Could we escape punishment because others made us backslide or default?
6.
What has
the study of Nehemiah done in your life?
CONCLUSION:
May God help us in our
Ministry to the point we could pray like Nehemiah in Neh. 13:31b
Last revised: October 6, 2005
Copyright © PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri,
Nigeria.
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