Sunday Sermons

29th April 2007

Nehemiah 1: 1 - 4

1. Background

Nehemiah is set in the post-exilic period which covers the years after the Jews were allowed to return from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. They set out to rebuild the temple and the city but faced years of hardship, struggle and opposition. Four books deal with this - Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Zecheriah.

587 BC.          Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the population deported.
                         Even then God promised deliverance.

538 BC.          Cyrus of Persia conquers Babylon and decrees that the Jews can return and rebuild.
                         They returned in several waves over 100 years seeing God's hand work a second
                         Exodus.

538-516 BC. They rebuild the Temple. Their first priority was worship - through much opposition.
                         They faced danger, hardship, opposition. Discouragement. The work ground to a halt.
                         The prophets Haggai and Zecheriah stirred faith and hope.

458 BC.           Much later! - Ezra came to Jerusalem.
446 BC.           Nehemiah came from Babylon.
                         The book of Nehemiah was compiled just before 400 BC. The writer used
                         Nehemiah's memoirs. Much of the book comes direct to us from Nehemiah himself
                         1: 1 - 2: 20 / 4: 1 - 7:5 / 12: 31 - 43 / 13: 4 - 31.

2. Babylon.

Nehemiah was in Susa, the summer palace of King Artexerxes 1. He held a very
important position. Like many Jews, his heart was focused elsewhere - the city of God.
What he really cared about was the people of God, the Kingdom of God and the glory of
God. His questions revealed his passions.

3. Bad News.

A.   V3.             "The people of God were in great trouble and disgrace." See 2: 19 and 4: 2 - 4.

                         They were despised. Objects of ridicule. Mocked. Insulted.
                         They were God's people, called by His Name, therefore God shared in their disgrace.
                         God' glory was at stake. This reflected on God.
                         What of our nation? How are the church / God's people viewed today?
                         Awareness of great need and a desire to see God glorified was the start of
                         Nehemiah's call.

B.   V3.            The walls of Jerusalem were broken down.

                         A city without secure walls is defenseless - easy prey to her enemies who cannot be
                         repelled.
                       The city walls were a mark of separation. Hadrian built his wall to keep us out!
                         The church must be separate. She must be in the world but the world should not be in
                         her.
                         We need to consider our own personal defenses. Are our walls intact?

C.   V3.           It's gates have been burned by fire.

                       The gates were the key to the control of the city. The elders and rulers met at the gates.
                       The gates were a symbol of authority. No gates - no authority. Those outside ruled
                       over them.
                       The gates are the entry point. The enemy will do anything to gain access - Greeks
                       bearing gifts!
                       What are our personal gates/entry points? Eyes and ears. The enemy wants to control
                       our minds.
                       We need to have walls and gates of truth - protecting our minds. (helmet, belt, sword)
                     and of righteousness - protecting our behaviour. (breastplate, tongue. Eph. 4: 29)

4. Bawl - Nehemiah's Four Responses.     V4. "I sat down and wept." He is deeply moved.

But he did not stay in this place. We can become hopeless / paralysed just saying how terrible it
all is.
He mourned, fasted and prayed. He presented himself "before the God of Heaven." - consciously do
this.
Arthur Wallis. "Fasting is an indication that we mean business with God."
Prayer can be easy when we are deeply moved. What about when we are dry?

Robert Duncan, 06/05/2007