Nehemiah | Chapter Summaries + Study Questionsنموونە

NEHEMIAH 1

NEHEMIAH GRIEVES OVER THE WALL OF JERUSALEM

Nehemiah is an Israelite man, serving as an official in the Persian government. As he is working, he is given an update from Jerusalem. The returned exiles have been living in Jerusalem for over a century, but the walls of Jerusalem are still dilapidated.

Nehemiah is deeply saddened by this news and spends days in prayer, weeping and fasting as a sign of his mourning. Nehemiah is a faithful Jewish man who recites the words of Deuteronomy 30, remembering a promise from God that the nation once scattered will be gathered. Nehemiah trusted God’s promise that He will dwell among the people in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah repents for the nation of Israel, knowing that God shows forgiveness to His people for their remorse. Nehemiah asks for favor and success from God and mercy before Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, in his mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

STUDY QUESTIONS

In Nehemiah 1:3–4, what report did Nehemiah receive from Jerusalem? How did he respond to this news?

What promise of God did Nehemiah recall in Nehemiah 1:8–9? How is this relevant to the exile and the return to Jerusalem?