Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Nehemiah 12

Study 13   From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 12

1.      How did the people celebrate the completion of the wall? See the further reminder in Lk.17:15-18. As you read this passage, following in imagination the two companies as they marched in procession, remember Nehemiah’s solitary journey as described in 2:12-15. Consider also how much you owe to God. Cf. 1 Cor. 15:10; Rom. 12:1.

2.      ‘Nehemiah the governor’ and ‘Ezra the priest the scribe’ (verse 26). Consider and contrast the office and character of these two great men, and how both alike were needed in this critical period of Jewish history. Have you discovered your gift and call of God or your variety of service for the common good? Cf. Rom. 11:29; 1 Cor.12:4-7.

Note. Verse 30. ‘Purified’: by sprinkling the blood of sacrifices. Cf. Ezk. 43:19,20.             

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Nehemiah 11

Study 12  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 11

1. Though the Temple had been rebuilt and the city walls, repaired, Jerusalem remained unattractive to dwell in (cf. 2:3, 17), and the bulk of the people preferred to live in the country. By what two methods (verses 1, 2) were more inhabitants for the city secured? Are you willing to volunteers to serve in the place of greatness need? Cf. Is. 6:8
2. In verses 3-24 is given a list of those who dwelt in Jerusalem, in the following categories: (a) heads of families of the tribe of Judah (4-6); (b) of the tribe of Benjamin (7-9); (c) officials of the Temple-priests (10-14), Levites (15-19), other attendants, including singers (20-24). Try to picture the life of the city. Observe the prominence given to the house of God and its worship. Others helped in other ways, and some of them are described as ‘valiant’ or ‘mighty men of part in the community to which you belong, helping it to become strong? Cf. Ec. 9:10a; 1 Cor. 15:58.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Nehemiah 9: 38 - 10: 39

Study 11  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 9: 38 - 10: 39

1.     Make a list of the seven specific ordinances included in the general covenant to walk in God’s law(10:28) and not neglect the house of God (10:39).

2.     What did the people agree (a) to give up, and (b) to give, that they might ‘observe and do all the commandments of the Lord’?  What does this teach us about the meaning of whole-hearted consecration? Cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-7; Pr. 3: 9, 10; Mal. 3:10; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2.

Notes

1.     10:29. ‘Enter into a curse and an oath’: ie., pledged themselves by an oath, invoking divine vengeance upon themselves, if they failed to observe it.

2.     Verse 31b. Cf. Ex. 23:10, 11; Dt. 15:1-3.

3.     Verses 35-39 give a general summary of such laws as Ex. 23:19 and Nu. 18:8-32.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Nehemiah 9:22-37

Study 10  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 9:22-37

1.     Analyze this summary (verses 6:37) of the history of God’s people. What may we learn here about the heart of God, and the heart of man?

2.     The Jews had learnt by bitter experience that disobedience brings penalty. Yet had God acted only in punishment? Cf. Ps. 130:3, 4. What may we learn from this chapter about the principles of God’s action towards His people when they sin? Cf. also Phil. 1:6; 2 Jn. 8.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Nehemiah 9:1-21

Study 9   From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 9:1-21

 1.     What marks do you find here of a genuine repentance? Cf. 2 Cor. 7:10, 11.

 2.     Meditate upon God’s great kindness and many mercies, in spite of great provocation, as seen in this passage. How much cause have you for similar recollections, repentance and gratitude to God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Nehemiah 8

Study 8  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 8

1.     Chapters 8, 9 and 10 describe a remarkable revival. What was its first manifestation, and what further characteristics developed from this?

2.     Consider how great a change of heart had taken place since before the exile. Cf. Je. 11:6-8; 32:36-40; Ne. 1:5-11. How are these verses an illustration of Ps. 119:71 and Heb. 12:11

Notes

2.     Verse 10. ‘Send portions…’: cf. Dt. 16:11, 14; Est. 9:19-22.

1.      Verse 17. The Feast of Tabernacles had been observed (see, e.g., 2 Ch.8:13), but not, it seems, the making of booths.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Nehemiah 7

Study 7  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 7

1.     What further steps did Nehemiah take in ensuring an orderly life in Jerusalem? Why was Hananiah put in charge of Jerusalem? Remembering that you may be called to responsibility in your work for God, what are you doing to develop these same qualities

2.     What makes a register of names so important? See verses 64, 65; and cf. Rev.20:15; 21:27; Lk. 10:20.

Notes

1.     Verse 2. The ‘he’ refers to Hananiah. Possibly the appointment of two men in charge of the city means, as in 3:9, 12, that each was ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.

2.     Verses 64, 65; cf. Ezr.2:62, 63. The need was for a priest able to obtain guidance to decide whether these men were entitled to enjoy priviledges as priests or not. For an example of the way in which Urim and Thumim were used, see 1 Sam. 14:41.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Nehemiah 6

Study  6 From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 6

1.      Nehemiah’s enemies now tried intrigue. The proposal to confer together is often an attractive one. What made Nehemiah persistently refuse it?  Contrast Eve’s folly in discussing the question raised by the serpent (Gn. 3:1-5). Do you ever parley with questions that should never be allowed consideration?

2.      What were the special subtleties of the attempts to ensnare Nehemiah? Notice how Nehemiah’s singleness of purpose and loyalty to God were as a shield about him. What may we learn from this?

Note.  Verse 5.  ‘An open letter’: so that others besides Nehemiah might see its contents.                 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Nehemiah 5

Study 5 From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 5

1.      What social evil did Nehemiah put right (see verses 1-13)? And how did he do it?

2.      What features of his conduct made Nehemiah an excellent governor? Are we developing similar characteristics?

3.      What considerations ought to keep God’s people from doing some things which others do as a matter of course? Cf. verse15 and 1 Cor. 8:13.

Note. Verse 1-5. The wealthier Jews were evidently demanding repayment at high interest of money lent by them to their poorer brethren, and were seizing the lands and property, and even the persons of the debtors whenever their demands were not met.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Nehemiah 4

Study 4  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 4

1.      The successful progress of the work brought increasing opposition. Picture the Characters concerned in the various scenes.  What kinds of discouragement did Nehemiah meet, and how did he deal with each?

2.      In verses 19-23 notice how Nehemiah shared in the hard work. Where did he plan to be if fighting broke out? What does this teach us about leadership?

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