Posts with the tag “nehemiah”

CompromiseNehemiah 6:10-13Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it...  Read More

RumorsNehemiah 6:5-9The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusal...  Read More

DistractionNehemiah 6:1-4Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this m...  Read More

Battling OurselvesNehemiah 5:1-11About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. They were saying, “We have such large families. We need more food to survive.”Others said, “We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine.”And others said, “We have had to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes. We...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)What is one of your favorite songs of worship, hymn or contemporary, and what is it about that song that speaks to and...  Read More

Strategic PlanningNehemiah 4:13-23So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and figh...  Read More

Rehearsing the NegativeNehemiah 4:11-12Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”Nehemiah’s team faces formidable enemies. It isn’t clear whether Sanballat and his crew will carry out their ...  Read More

DiscouragementNehemiah 4:10Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”The work that Nehemiah’s team has accomplished in such a short time is truly remarkable. However, predictably, they are reaching a quitting point, and completion is at risk.Several factors lead us to co...  Read More

ProtectionNehemiah 4:6-9At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us i...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)Can you remember a speech, or a favorite quote, that is deeply meaningful and inspiring to you? If so, share and tell ...  Read More

InsultsNehemiah 4:1-5Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something ...  Read More

Teamwork Nehemiah 3:1-3Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel. People from the town of Jericho worked next to them, and beyond them was Zaccur son of Imri.The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. The...  Read More

Seats on the Bus Nehemiah 2:19-20But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”Did we already discuss Sanballa...  Read More

Community Nehemiah 2:16-18The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been dest...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)Were you ever called into the principal's office when you were in grade school or high school? If so, and you’re willi...  Read More

See for Yourself Nehemiah 2:12-15I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to th...  Read More

Patience Nehemiah 2:11-12; 16So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the pries...  Read More

Showing Up Nehemiah 2:11So I arrived in Jerusalem.I recognize the simplicity of what I’m about to say, but it merits serious consideration. The first step in any great accomplishment is SHOWING UP.Part of my resume includes ten years as a high school teacher and eight as a college professor. During those years, I frequently engaged in conversations with young people eager to ask me what I believed...  Read More

Danger Nehemiah 2:9-10When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel.With little fanfare,...  Read More

Asking Nehemiah 2:4-8The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the ...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)Do you have someone in your life who is your prayer warrior? Someone you love to hear pray or that you look up to as i...  Read More

Sad Face Nehemiah 2:1-3Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For...  Read More

Confession Nehemiah 1:6-7I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses..Matthew 6:11-12 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.Before we move on to the second chapter of Nehemiah,...  Read More

Prayer Nehemiah 1:5-11Then I said, “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, ...  Read More

Time Nehemiah 1:4When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.Nehemiah 2:1Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan…I love action. Many of us do. But I love it to the extreme. This may be why I struggle to remember to ask questions or listen carefully to the responses. If I can be vulnerable for a moment, I often need to scold...  Read More

Tears Nehemiah 1:2-4Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn do...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)If you could have a sit down with an historical figure, aside from Jesus Himself (too easy), who would it be and why? ...  Read More

QuestionsNehemiah 1:2Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.I have a longtime friend, Phil, who routinely finds himself in the most amazing conversations. Whether it’s with close friends or perfect strangers, if I step away for a ...  Read More

The CupbearerNehemiah 1:1These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa.Nehemiah 1:11In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.The story of Nehemiah is considered the last recorded activity before the Old Testament Scriptures fall silent, anticipating the coming Messiah of the...  Read More