Nehemiah and Ezra was originally one book, and the author is uncertain, but many suppose that Ezra is the main-author of both books. Nehemiah was probably written around 430 BC – during the period of restoration in and around Jerusalem.
From being cupbearer to the Persian king (a person who takes samples of
all the food the king was eating), Nehemiah was the supreme leader of Israel. His
responsibility was the rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem. Through
Nehemiah's leadership Jerusalem is just not a city surrounded by high walls, it
is also a place with a well-functioning governance and good collateral
arrangements for the people who live there.
The book begins in Persia, where Nehemiah receives a distressing report
about the condition of the Jews who escaped from captivity and went back to
Jerusalem. The book looks at what happens about twelve years after the one
described in the book Ezra. The first seven chapters deal with the rebuilding
of the wall around Jerusalem, while the last six depicts how people
reintroduces the law of God.
But Nehemiah burned not only for brick buildings. In collaboration with,
among others the priest Ezra, he reinstated the laws God had given the people,
but mostly been lost in captivity in Babylon. The people got to experience the
true God they had, and they therefore entered into a new covenant with him.
“So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had
begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it,
they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with
the help of our God”. (6:15-16).
An overview:
-
Nehemiah gets to go to Jerusalem (2:1-10)- The work of city wall begins (3:1-32)
- Inner conditions in Jerusalem in place (5:1-15)
- The wall is completed (6:15-16)
- The law is found and read aloud (8:1-12)
- The people renew the covenant with God (9:38)
- Nehemiah rebukes the people and follow up the covenant (13:4-31)
What does this book show about the character and
nature of God?
4:14: “Remember the Lord, who is great
and glorious”.
4:20: “When you hear
the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will
fight for us!”
9:6: “You alone are the Lord”.
9:10: “You have a
glorious reputation that has never been forgotten”.
9:19: “But in your great
mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness”.
9:22: “Then you helped
our ancestors conquer kingdoms and nations”
What does this book show about God’s redemptive
plan for mankind?
I think the scripture in 9:31 says something about God’s future plan
for the mankind. Because of His mercy He did not destroy His people for ever:“But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!”
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