Bible in one year 7/15/2022 Nehemiah Introduction & chapter 1 Nehemiah’s prayer By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 7/15/2022 Nehemiah  Introduction & chapter 1 Nehemiah’s prayer

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

Introduction to the book of Nehemiah

Author : Nehemiah   Date: 445-425 B.C

 The Man Nehemiah As cupbearer to King Artazerxes I, Nehemaih’s position was a responsible one (certifying that none of the wine the king drank was poisoned) and an influential one (since such a trusted servant often became a close advisor). Having heard that the walls of Jerusalem had not been rebuilt, and having received permission from the king to go to Jerusalem to correct the situation, he demonstrated unmatched skills in leadership and organization. In fifty-two days the rebuilding job was unselfishness. After twelve years in this capacity he returned briefly to Artazerzes court (1:1;13:6) and then returned to Judah (where he called the people to repentance.). Much of the material in the book comes from what must have been Nehemiah’s personal diary, so frank and vivid is the reporting. For the connection between this book and Ezra, see the introduction to Ezra.

 Historical Background   Refer to the introduction to Ezra. The Elephantine Papyri, discovered in 1903, confirm the historicity of the book of Nehemiah, mentioning Sanballat(2:19) and Johohanan (6:18;12:23). These sources also tell us that Nehemiah ceased to be governor of Judah before 408 B.C.

 Contents  The book completes the history of the restoration of the returned remnant from exile in Babylon, a restoration begun under Ezra’s leadership. It also marks the beginning of Daniel’s “seventy weeks” (Dan.9:25), and provides historical background for the book of Malachi.

Chapter 1 Rebuilding the walls (under Nehemiah) Nehemiah’s prayer

            Nehemiah means “Yahweh consoles.” Though nothing is known about Nehemiah’s father, the word son of Hacaliah distinguish him from other Nehemiahs (3:16; Ezra2:2). Kislev. Nov-Dec. (Ex.12:2) the twentieth year. Of Artaxerxes, 445 B.C .

           Nehemiah’s prayer involved (1) pleading the love of God (Heb.hesed;Hos.2:19).(2) confessing sin (notice that Nehemiah, like Ezra, 9:5-15, Daniel, 9:3-19, identifies himself with his people); (3) acknowledging the rightness of God’s judgment (Neh.1:8-9. Lev.26:33-45; Deut.30:1-5) and (4) asking for success in the next step (which would require the king, this man of Neh.1:11, to reverse the decision he had made as recorded in Ezra 4:21). 

Nehemiah’s prayer as follows,

        “ O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I 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. (vv.5-7). Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘ If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ (vv.8-9). They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986