Setting – Nehemiah arrives at Jerusalem and starts to rebuild
Content – Nehemiah approached the king and humbly stated his reason for his sadness (v. 3 NLT) “Long live the king! Why shouldn't I be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been burned down.” After a quick prayer, (v. 4b-5a NLT) “With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied”. Nehemiah knew that his request required the king’s approval (v. 5 NLT) “If it please Your Majesty and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” The king approved and also gave letters of passage and request of resources, (v. 7 NLT) “If it please Your Majesty, give me letters to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.” and (v. 8a NLT) “please send a letter to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber” The king also sent an army with Nehemiah (v. 9b NLT) “The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.”
Nehemiah’s opposition is introduced (v. 10 NLT) “But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very angry that someone had come who was interested in helping Israel”. Nehemiah inspected the ruins secretly at night (v. 16a NLT) “The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans”
When he did advise the leaders of his plans (v. 17b NLT) “Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid ourselves of this disgrace!” and that the king was behind it they were ready (v. 18b NLT) “’Good! Let's rebuild the wall!’ So they began the good work.”
The opposition started right from the beginning of the project (v. 19a NLT) “But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously.” But Nehemiah knew who was on his side (v.20 NLT) “’But I replied, "The God of heaven will help us succeed. We his servants will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no stake or claim in Jerusalem.’”
Application – Nehemiah knew that he wanted to rebuild Jerusalem. I suspect that he knew there’d be opposition to the plan. But even if he didn’t, he knew that God’s hand was upon his decision. We know that we can have God’s favor if our life is right with Him. Nehemiah will face further opposition, which could have raised doubt about God’s favor of his plan.
We need to know that God is in favor of us. We are his children. Just like a parent who wants the best for their child and wants to support good decisions that they make, God is the same with His children. God wants us to see what He can do and what He can do through us. Even though in the world we will have trials and tribulations, God still desires our best while we are here. Like a parent of their child in war, the parent is vitally concerned for their well-being, and even more so because of the circumstances they are in. Why would God be any different? We are in a war (trials and tribulations) on this earth, but we have a Father who is looking out for us.
Content – Nehemiah approached the king and humbly stated his reason for his sadness (v. 3 NLT) “Long live the king! Why shouldn't I be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been burned down.” After a quick prayer, (v. 4b-5a NLT) “With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied”. Nehemiah knew that his request required the king’s approval (v. 5 NLT) “If it please Your Majesty and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” The king approved and also gave letters of passage and request of resources, (v. 7 NLT) “If it please Your Majesty, give me letters to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.” and (v. 8a NLT) “please send a letter to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber” The king also sent an army with Nehemiah (v. 9b NLT) “The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.”
Nehemiah’s opposition is introduced (v. 10 NLT) “But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very angry that someone had come who was interested in helping Israel”. Nehemiah inspected the ruins secretly at night (v. 16a NLT) “The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans”
When he did advise the leaders of his plans (v. 17b NLT) “Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid ourselves of this disgrace!” and that the king was behind it they were ready (v. 18b NLT) “’Good! Let's rebuild the wall!’ So they began the good work.”
The opposition started right from the beginning of the project (v. 19a NLT) “But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously.” But Nehemiah knew who was on his side (v.20 NLT) “’But I replied, "The God of heaven will help us succeed. We his servants will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no stake or claim in Jerusalem.’”
Application – Nehemiah knew that he wanted to rebuild Jerusalem. I suspect that he knew there’d be opposition to the plan. But even if he didn’t, he knew that God’s hand was upon his decision. We know that we can have God’s favor if our life is right with Him. Nehemiah will face further opposition, which could have raised doubt about God’s favor of his plan.
We need to know that God is in favor of us. We are his children. Just like a parent who wants the best for their child and wants to support good decisions that they make, God is the same with His children. God wants us to see what He can do and what He can do through us. Even though in the world we will have trials and tribulations, God still desires our best while we are here. Like a parent of their child in war, the parent is vitally concerned for their well-being, and even more so because of the circumstances they are in. Why would God be any different? We are in a war (trials and tribulations) on this earth, but we have a Father who is looking out for us.
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