The second of the 5 books describing the time after a little group of about 50,000 or less (Judah and Benjamin) have returned to Jerusalem. Ezra has told us about the rebuilding of the temple, today we start to read about the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. Just as they needed a wall to protect them from the subtlety and violence of the enemy, so we need to keep separated, not isolated, from the world (2 Tim. 2:20-21; 2 Cor. 6:14). This book was about 12 years after Ezra’s time. It gives us the last historical view of the people of God in the Old Testament. We believe we are living in the last days of God’s people in this “day of grace.” May we be as sensitive as to what God is saying to us today. But probably the greatest lesson for us to learn today is that Nehemiah (means Comfort of Jehovah), throughout his book shows that he constantly realized the ruined condition of God’s people.
Chapter 1
V.1 Shushan was in the land of their captivity. It is what is now Iran. Nehemiah lived in a palace, and yet we shall find that he left that palace and suffered a great deal of trouble because he loved the people of God.
V.2-3 Nehemiah inquired about his brethren the Jews who had gone back to their land, and he learns they are having a very hard time.
V.4-11 In this prayer, Nehemiah shows his deep love for his people, and his great grief because of their troubles.
V.6 He admits that these troubles have come because of sin and disobedience, but he does not blame others for it, but says, “I and my father’s house have sinned.” Nehemiah is aware of the sad ruin of his own people, the Jews, and he is also aware of the faithfulness of the Lord to whom he turns in prayer.
V.11 Nehemiah had a very honored position there, but he wept and prayed because the people of the Lord were in distress and trouble. Notice the great king was only “this man” before God.