Nehemiah 1:1-11
Q.1. Who was Nehemiah? What news about Jerusalem caused him so much heart-ache? What did he do about the news? – (Neh.1:1-4, 11)
Nehemiah was constantly in the company of King Artaxerxes, as his cupbearer and wine-taster (Neh.1:11). The story started with the return of his brothers from Judah, who reported the state of the survivors who had returned earlier (Neh.1:2). He was told – … “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”(Neh.1:3). The news had a dramatic effect on Nehemiah – … I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven (Neh.1:4).
Q.2. Where did Nehemiah start with his appeal to God? Why was his prayer so urgent? How did he identify with his people? –(Neh.1:4-8)
Nehemiah began his prayer by rehearsing God’s greatness, and His faithfulness to His Covenant – … O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments (Neh.1:5). He assumed a representative role, and confessed Israel’s sins. He acknowledged that God had kept His promise to Moses to scatter His people – Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, `If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples (Neh.1:8 c.f. 1:6-7).
Q.3. What hope did he hold out before God? How had God acted in the past? What request did he make? – (Neh.1:9-11)
Nehemiah then reminded God of another promise – but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ (Neh.1:9). On this basis, Nehemiah asked God to give him success in his approach to the king (Neh.1:10-11).