Nehemiah 5
Nehemiah 5:1-5
Once again, the fear they faced began to erode the resolve of the people. The need for food brought a new problem to light. There were some Jews who had prospered in the exile and rebuilding. They were powerful enough that a large number of poor didn't stand a chance of finding a better life. They were selling themselves into slavery to pay the taxes. These folks were in a hole with no hope of digging their way out.
Nehemiah 5:6-11
Once again, strong leadership responds to the need, adapts and resolves. The Jews could not be divided in their effort to return to the nation. They were one people serving the One God. Nehemiah called for it to stop and these men agreed. Nehemiah must have had great influence.
Nehemiah 5:12-13
Nehemiah apparently had some doubts about their sincerity. He called the priests and asked for an oath from these men. Nehemiah then shook out the folds of his robe; this was like turning his pockets inside out. He asked God to shake a man from his house and possessions if he didn't keep his oath; this would mean God strip them from all their wealth and possessions.
Nehemiah 5:14-19
As governor, Nehemiah was entitled to a paycheck from the people. While previous governors took their due and then some, Nehemiah didn't draw a paycheck for the twelve years he was governor. Even though he didn't draw a paycheck, he was still able to feed 150 people throughout that time. God was faithful to provide for Nehemiah in such a way that he was able to provide for these folks.
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah 6:1-4
The building of the wall took 52 days; the window of opportunity for the enemy was closing. The narrative returns to this opposition which probably was near the end of the project.
Sanballat and Tobiah don't give up but become more desparate. They attempt to lure Nehemiah outside the walls to the plain about 25 miles away, to meet with them. Had Nehemiah sought the approval of men the temptation might have worked. After all, meeting with these powerful men would have been viewed as an honor by many people. But Nehemiah isn't fooled and understood they meant him harm. Sanballat made his offer four different times; all of which he answered in the same way.
Nehemiah 6:5-9
The fifth try was a little different. He sent a servant with an open letter. This letter would have been unsealed parchment or pottery shard bearing the words; anyone could read them, thereby spreading the rumor that probably wasn't even one yet. Sanballat is attempting the threat and intimidation. Nehemiah answers the charge and offers a prayer for strength in the face of the attempt at weakening them.
When the enemy brings fear, let's pray for courage and keep going. When the enemy brings weakness, lets pray for strength and keep going. When the enemy brings affliction, let's pray for healing and keep on. Whatever he brings, God can overpower and provide for us.
Nehemiah 6:10-13
The trickery invades the people of Israel when Shemaiah is paid to decieve and draw Nehemiah away. He gives a false prophecy to Nehemiah. He perceived this wasn't from God. Nehemiah offers another prayer in light of this latest attempt. He trusts God to deal with these people.
Nehemiah 6:14-
The nations watching knew this rebuilding was from God, whether they might admit it or not. The enemies were disheartened at the completion. There were letters flying back and forth in a type of socail media campaigning to sway the people to put pressure on Nehemiah. Many of these people of Judah had connections with Tobiah. Some fed him information about what Nehemiah said; they likewise passed Tobiah's agenda on to Nehemiah; speaking of Tobiah's good works and attempting to put fear in Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah 7:1-3
Nehemiah wasn't even fazed by the opposition that tried to strike fear in them. He went right back to completing the wall and hanging the doors. The next order of business was appointing gatekeeprs, singers and Levites for the city to properly function. Then Nehemiah appointed his brother Hanani as charge of Jerusalem. Hanani was the man who brought the news of Jerusalem to Nehemiah in Persia (Neh 1:2). Hannaniah was appointed the leader of the citadel.
The gate wasn't to be opened at sunrise as normal. Extra measures were required to protect against surprise attack. The gate would be opened later in the day and only while there was a guard posted. Then, even when the gate was closed and barred, others would be assigned to watcht he wall.
Nehemiah 7:4-73
Nehemiah is moved by God to register these folks by genealogy. At the same time he discovered the register of those who first returned with Zerubabbel. This listing is nearly identical to what Ezra 2 lists. Those unable to prove their lineage were excluded from the priesthood.
Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah 8:1-6
Ezra enters Nehemiah's narrative for the first time. He had arrived 13 years prior to Nehemiah. He was a scribe in the law. The people gather together as one and instruct Nehemiah to bring the book of the law. Ezra read the law for half the day and the people were attentive to the reading. The seventh month was Tishri; this is the day of the Feast of Trumpets.
It's worth noting the people's commitment to hearing. This wasn't Nehemiah forcing it or commanding it. It was the people, together, asking to hear. They were renewing the covenant; for them, it's the receiving of God's word similar to how their forefathers received the law the first time. What an amazing picture this gives us as Ezra leads the people in the word, surrounded and supported by the other leaders. He is elevated on a platform, standing above the people. This is the word elevated, not the man. At the opening of the word, all the people stood. Then, in response to the blessing they lfited their hands, cried Amen, then bowed in worship with their faces to the ground.
This all happened at the Water Gate. This gate was located near the Gihon spring, the main source of water for Jerusalem. This is an interesting picture of the water of God's word being applied at the water gate. This brings to mind what Jesus said in John 4:14:
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
Nehemiah 8:7-8
The priests and levites help the people to understand the law. Hearing God's word is one thing, applying it to our lives is something completely different. These men helped the people give God's law a home in their life. The law was read distincly; this could have included a translation to Aramaic. Upon the reading of the words, these other men 'gave the sense' of the word. This was to give the plain meaning, examples, pictures or analogies; to help them understand.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
The first of Tishri was holy. It was a sacred day as outlined in Leviticus 23:24; this was the Feast of Trumpets. This feast was to be a joyous occasion. Weeping and mourning may have been more appropriate on other days, but not this day. This day had a defined response. It was to be joyous. Nehemiah declared that the joy of the Lord was their strength. This word for 'strength' means refuge or place of security.
Nehemiah 8:13-18
It had been since the days of Joshua since the children of Israel had properly celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. This gives us an idea of how far removed these folks were from the law. They found great joy in this sacred assembly wich took place on Tishri 15-22.
The hearing of God's word, the heeding of God's word, giving a place in their life all brought them to this place of growth and blessing and great joy. Did it occur to them that these very things had been missing for a long time and they were missing for a reason? Did it occur to them, if they didn't hold onto them and pass these things to the next generation, it would once again be lost? The Christianity we claim today is always one generation from extinction, should we all keep our faith to our self!
Nehemiah 9
This chapter opens up just two days after the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. Having no prescribed holiday, the people returned to the mourning. This is mourning over their sin and disobedience in the past. They gave equal parts of their day to the reading of the law and the confession of their sins. The leaders stood them up and led them in a Psalm of repentance; a prayer, probably chanted or sung. It is the heritage of Israel detailing God's faithfulness and their unfaithfulness; His willingness to be patient and long-suffering and their ability to quickly forget. This seems to be one of the rare times when the Jews clearly understood these things and confessed them. Its worth noting this happened at the tail end of a near month long revival type setting. The reading of the word was part of practically every day; worship, confession, celebration, and prayer were just some of the ways this revival played out.
This ended in a sure covenant, written by the people, sealed by the priests.
©2017 Doug Ford
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