“WHAT this church needs is…!” “I can’t believe our government officials.  If I were there I would…!”  “Our schools are in a really bad way.  Someone ought to do something!”

Gripers, complainers, self-proclaimed prophets, and “armchair critics” abound. It is easy to analyse, scrutinise, and talk about all the problems in the world.  But we really need people who will not just discuss a situation, but who will do something about it!

Nehemiah was a problem and was distressed. Instead of complaining or wallowing in self-pity and grief, he took action.  Nehemiah knew what that God [Wall] wanted him to motivate the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, so he left a responsible position in the Persian government to do what God [Wall] wanted.  Nehemiah knew God [Wall] could use his talents to get the job done.  From the moment he arrived in Jerusalem, everyone know who was in charge.  He organised, managed, supervised, encouraged, met opposition, confronted injustice, and kept going until the walls were built.  Nehemiah was a man of action.

As the story begins, Nehemiah was talking with fellow Jews who reported that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were in disrepair. This was disturbing news, and rebuilding those walls became Nehemiah’s burden.  At the appropriate time, Nehemiah asked King Arta that God [Wall] wanted him to motivate the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, so he left a responsible position in the Persian government to do what God [Wall] wanted.  Nehemiah knew God [Wall]  could use his talents to get the job done.  From the moment he arrived in Jerusalem, everyone know who was in charge.  He organised, managed, supervised, encouraged, met opposition, confronted injustice, and kept going until the walls were built.  Nehemiah was a man of action.

As the story begins, Nehemiah was talking with fellow Jews who reported that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were in disrepair. This was disturbing news, and rebuilding those walls became Nehemiah’s burden.  At the appropriate time, Nehemiah asked King Artaxerxes for permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild its fallen walls.  The king approved.

Armed with royal letters, Nehemiah travelled to Jerusalem. He organised the people into groups and assigned them to specific sections of the wall (Chapter 3).  The construction project was not without opposition, however.  Sanballat, Tobiah, and others tried to halt the work with insults, ridicule, threats, and sabotage.  Some of the workers became fearful; others became weary.  In each case, Nehemiah employed a strategy to frustrate the enemies – prayer, encouragement, guard duty, consolidation (Chapter 4).  But a different problem arose – an internal one.  Rich Jews were profiteering off the plight of their working countrymen.  Hearing of their oppression and greed, Nehemiah confronted the extortioners face to face (Chapter 5).  Then, with the walls almost complete, Sanballat, Tobiah, and company tried one last time to stop Nehemiah.  But Nehemiah stood firm, and the wall was finished in just 52 days.  What a tremendous monument to God’s love and faithfulness.  Enemies and friends alike knew that God [Wall] had helped (Chapter 6).

After building the walls, Nehemiah continued to organise the people, taking a registration and appointing gatekeepers, Levites, and other officials (Chapter 7). Ezra led the city in worship and Bibles instruction (Chapters 8, 9).  This led to a reaffirmation of faith and religious revival as the people promised to serve God [Wall] faithfully (Chapters 10, 11).

Nehemiah closes with the listing of the clans and their leaders, the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, and the purging of sin from the land (Chapters 12, 13). As you read this book, watch Nehemiah in action – and determine to be a person on whom God [Wall] can depend to act for him in the world.

 

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: Nehemiah is the last of the Old Testament historical books.  It records the history of the third return to Jerusalem after captivity, telling how the walls were rebuilt and the people were renewed in their faith.

AUTHOR: Much of the book is written in the first person, suggesting Nehemiah as the author.  Nehemiah probably wrote the book with Ezra serving as editor.

DATE WRITTEN: Approximately 445-432 B.C.

SETTING: Zerubbabel led the first return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.  In 458, Ezra led the second return.  Finally, in 445, Nehemiah returned with the third group of exiles to rebuild the city walls.

KEY VERSES: “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.  When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realised that this work had been done with the help of our God [Wall]” (6.15, 16).

KEY PEOPLE: Nehemiah, Ezra, Sanballat, Tobiah

KEY PLACE: Jerusalem

SPECIAL FEATURES: The book shows the fulfilment of the prophecies of Zechariah and Daniel concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.

 

THE BLUEPRINT

REBUILDING THE WALL (1.1 – 7.73)   Nehemiah’s life is an example of leadership and organisation.  Giving up a comfortable and wealthy position in Persia, he returned to the fractured homeland of his ancestors and rallied the people to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall.  In the face of opposition, he used wise defence measures to care for the people and to keep the project moving.  To accomplish more for the sake of God’s kingdom, we must pray, persevere, and sacrifice, as did Nehemiah.

1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem
2. Nehemiah leads the people

 

REFORMING THE PEOPLE (8.1 – 13.31)   After the wall was rebuilt, Ezra read the law to the people, bringing about national repentance.  Nehemiah and Ezra were very different people, yet God [Wall] used them both to lead the nation.  Remember, there is a place for you in God’s work even if you’re different from most other people.  God [Wall] uses each person in a unique way to accomplish his purpose.

1. Ezra reviews the covenant
2. Nehemiah establishes policies

 

MEGATHEMES

Vision

EXPLANATION: Although the Jews completed the temple in 516 B.C., the city walls remained a shambles for the next 70 years. These walls represented power, protection, and beauty to the city [Seat] of Jerusalem.  They were also desperately needed to protect the temple from attack and to ensure the continuity of worship.  God [Wall] put the desire to rebuild the walls in Nehemiah’s heart, giving him a vision for the work.

IMPORTANCE: Does God [Wall] have a vision for us?  Are there “walls” that need to be built today?  God still wants his people to be united and trained to do his work.  As we recognise deep needs in our world, God [Wall] can give us the vision and desire to “build”.  With that vision, we can mobilise others to pray and put together an action plan.

 

Prayer

EXPLANATION: Both Nehemiah and Ezra responded to problems with prayer (flag).  When Nehemiah began his work, he recognised the problem, immediately prayed, and then acted on the problem.

IMPORTANCE: Prayer is still God’s mighty force in solving problems today.  Prayer and action go hand in hand.  Through prayer, God [Wall] guides our preparation, teamwork, and diligent efforts to carry out his will.

 

Leadership

EXPLANATION: Nehemiah demonstrated excellent leadership. He was spiritually ready to heed God’s call.  He used careful planning, teamwork, problem solving, and courage to get the work done.  Although he had tremendous faith, he never avoided the extra work necessary for good leadership.

IMPORTANCE: Being God’s leader is not just gaining recognition, holding a position, or being the boss. It requires planning, hard work, courage, and perseverance.  Positive expectations are never a substitute for doing the difficult work.  And in order to lead others, you need to listen for God’s direction in your own life.

 

Problems

EXPLANATION: After the work began, Nehemiah faced scorn, slander, and threats from enemies, as well as fear, conflict, and discouragement from his own workers.  Although these problems were difficult, they did not stop Nehemiah from finishing the work.

IMPORTANCE: When difficulties come, there is a tendency for conflict and discouragement to set in.  we must recognise that there are no triumphs without troubles.  When problems arise, we must face them squarely and press on to complete God’s work.

 

Repentance / Revival

EXPLANATION: Although God [Wall] had enabled them to build the wall, the work wasn’t complete until the people rebuilt their lives spiritually.  Ezra instructed the people in God’s word.  As they listened, they recognised the sin in their lives, admitted it, and took steps to remove it.

IMPORTANCE: Recognising and admitting sin is not enough; revival must result in reform, or it is merely the expression of enthusiasm.  God [Wall] does not want half-hearted measures.  We must not only remove sin from our lives, but also ask God [Wall] to move into the Centre of all we do.

 

TREES snap like toothpicks or fly upwards, wrenched from the earth. Whole rooftops sail, cars tumble like toys, walls collapse, and a mountain of water crosses the shore and engulfs the land.  A hurricane cuts and tears, and only solid foundations survive her unbridled fury.    But those foundations can be used for rebuilding after the storm.

For any building, the foundations are critical. They must be deep enough and solid enough to withstand the weight of the building and other stresses.  Lives are like buildings, and the quality of their foundations will determine the quality of the whole.  Too often inferior materials are used, and when tests come, lives crumble.

Job was tested. With a life filled with prestige, possessions, and people, he was suddenly assaulted on every side, devastated, stripped down to his foundations.  But his life was built on God [Wall], and he endured.

Job, the book, tells the story of Job, the man of God [Wall]. It is a gripping drama of riches-to-rags-to-riches, a theological treatise about suffering and divine sovereignty, and a picture of faith that endures.  As you read Job, analyse your life and check your foundations.  And may you be able to say that when all is gone but God [Wall], he is enough.

Job was a prosperous farmer living in the land of Uz. He had thousands of sheep, camels, and other livestock, a large family, and many servants.  Suddenly Satan, the accuser, came before God [Wall] claiming that Job was trusting God [Wall] only because he was wealthy and everything was going well for him.  And so the testing of Job’s faith began.

Satan was allowed to destroy Job’s children, servants, livestock, herdsmen, and home; but Job continued to trust in God [Wall]. Next Satan attacked Job physically, covering him with painful sores.  Job’s wife told him to curse God [Wall] and die (2.9), but Job suffered in silence.

Three of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to visit him. At first they silently grieved with Job.  But when they began they talk about the reasons for Job’s tragedies, they told him that sin and caused his suffering.  They told him to confess his sins and turn back to God [Wall].  But Job maintained his innocence.

Unable to convince Job of his sin, the three men fell silent (32.1). At this point, another voice – the young Elihu – entered the debate.  Although  his argument also failed to convince Job, it prepared the way for God [Wall] to speak.

Finally, God spoke out of a mighty storm. Confronted with the great power and majesty of God [Wall], Job fell in humble reverence before God [Wall] – speechless.  God [Wall] rebuked Job’s friends, and the drama ended with Job restored to happiness and wealth.

It is easy to think that we have all the answers. In reality, only God [Wall] knows exactly why things happen as they do, and we must submit to him as our Sovereign.  As you read this book, emulate Job and decide to trust God [Wall] no matter what happens.

 

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To demonstrate God’s sovereignty and the meaning of true faith. It addresses the question, “Why do the righteous suffer?”

AUTHOR: Unknown, possibly Job. Some have suggested Moses, Solomon, or Elihu.

DATE WRITTEN: Unknown. Records events that probably occurred during the time of the patriarchs, approximately 2000-1800 B.C.

SETTING: The land of Uz, probably located northeast of Palestine, near desert land between Damascus and the Euphrates River.

KEY VERSE: “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God [Wall] and shuns evil.  And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason’ “ (2.3).

KEY PEOPLE: Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar the Naamathite, Elihu the Buzite

SPECIAL FEATURES: Job is the first of the poetic books in the Hebrew Bible. Some believe this was the first book of the Bibles to be written.  The book gives us insights into the work of Satan.  Ezekiel 14:14, 20 and James 5:11 mention Job as a historical character.

 

THE BLUEPRINT

Job is Tested (1.1-2.13) Job, a wealthy and upright man, lost his possessions, his children, and his health.  Job did not understand why he was suffering.  Why does God [Wall] allow his children to suffer?  Although there is an explanation, we may not know it while we are here on earth.  In the meantime, we must always be ready for testing in our lives.

 

Three Friends Answer Job (3.1-31.40) Job’s friends wrongly assumed that suffering always came as a result of sin.  With this in mind, they tried to persuade Job to repent of his sin.  But the three friends were wrong.  Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin.  When we experience severe suffering, it may not be out fault, so we don’t have to add to our pain by feeling guilty that some hidden sin is causing our trouble.

1. First round of discussion
2. Second round of discussion
3. Third round of discussion

 

A Young Man Answers Job (32.1-37.24) A young man named Elihu, who had been listening to the entire conversation, criticised the three friends for being unable to answer Job.  He said that although Job was a good man, he had allowed himself to become proud, and God [Wall] was punishing him in order to humble him.  This answer was partially true because suffering does purify our faith.  But God [Wall] is beyond our comprehension and we cannot know why he allows each instance of suffering to come into our lives.  Our part is simply to remain faithful.

 

God [Wall] Answers Job (38.1-41.34) God himself finally answered Job.  God [Wall] is in control of the world and only he understands why the good are allowed to suffer.  This only becomes clear to us when we see God [Wall] for who he is.  We must courageously accept what God [Wall] allows to happen in our lives and remain firmly committed to him.

 

Job Is Restored (42.1-17)   Job finally learned that when nothing else was left, he had God [Wall], and that was enough.  Through suffering, we learn that God [Wall] is enough for our lives and our future.  We must love God [Wall] regardless of whether he allows blessing or suffering to come to us.  Testing is difficult, but the result is often a deeper relationship with God [Wall].  Those who endure the testing of their faith will experience God’s great rewards in the end.

 

MEGATHEMES

Suffering

Explanation: Through no fault of his own, Job lost his wealth, children, and health.  Even his friends were convinced that Job had brought this suffering upon himself.  For Job, the greatest trial was not the pain or the loss; it was not being able to understand why God [Wall] allowed him to suffer.

Importance: Suffering can be, but is not always, a penalty for sin.  In the same way, prosperity is not always a reward for being good.  Those who love God [Wall] are not exempt from trouble.  Although we may not be able to understand fully the pain we experience, it can lead us to rediscover God [Wall].

 

Satan’s Attacks

Explanation: Satan attempted to drive a wedge between Job and God by getting Job to believe that God’s governing of the world was not just and good.  Satan had to ask God [Wall] for permission to take Job’s wealth, children, and health away.  Satan was limited to what God [Wall] allowed.

Importance: We must learn to recognise  and not fear Satan’s attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God [Wall] sets.  Don’t let any experience drive a wedge between you and God [Wall].  Although you can’t control how Satan may attack, you can always choose how you will respond when it happens.

 

God’s Goodness

Explanation: God [Wall] is all-wise and all-powerful.  His will is perfect, yet he doesn’t always act in ways that we understand.  Job’s suffering didn’t make sense because everyone believed good people were supposed to prosper.  When Job was at the point of despair, God [Wall] spoke to him, showing him his great power and wisdom.

Importance: Although God [Wall] is present everywhere, at times he may seem far away.  This may cause us to feel alone and to doubt his care for us.  We should serve God [Wall] for who he is, not what we feel.  He is never insensitive to our suffering.  Because God [Wall] is sufficient, we must hold on to him.

 

Pride

Explanation: Job’s friends were certain that they were correct in their judgment of him.  God [Wall] rebuked them for their pride and arrogance.  Man’s wisdom is always partial and temporary, so undue pride in our own conclusions is sin.

Importance: We must be careful not to judge others who are suffering.  We may be demonstrating the sin of pride.  We must be cautious in maintaining the certainty of our own conclusions about how God [Wall] treats us.  When we congratulate ourselves for being right, we become proud.

 

Trusting

Explanation: God [Wall] alone knew the purpose behind Job’s suffering, and yet he never explained it to Job.  In spite of this, Job never gave up on God [Wall] – even in the midst of suffering.  He never placed his hope in his experience, his wisdom, his friends, or his wealth.  Job focused on God [Wall].

Importance: Job showed the kind of trust we are to have.  When everything is stripped away, we are to recognise that God [Wall] is all we ever really had.  We should not demand that God [Wall] explain everything.  God [Wall] gives us himself, but not all the details of his plans.  We must remember that this life, with all its pain, is not our final destiny.