10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Berean Baptist Church.
To order a copy of Nehemiah,
please visit our Publications section.
Studies
in Nehemiah
Lesson 16
A GENERAL HISTORY OF ISRAEL FROM ABRAHAM THROUGH NEHEMIAH
Nehemiah
9
Part 2
Intro.
Nehemiah 9 is primarily a history of the nation of Israel from its
beginning as a nation up to the time of Nehemiah.
I.
THE THEME OF THIS HISTORY. Neh.
9:5-6
A.
Throughout this history the emphasis is on exaltation and vindication of
the Lord. Neh. 9:5
B.
Background information on God is given which qualifies Him as the
ultimate authority and being over Israel and every other people. Neh.
9:6
II.
THE ABRAHAMIC ERA. Neh. 9:7-8
A.
The nation of Israel is God's idea. Neh.
9:7
B. God made a covenant with Abraham. Neh. 9:8
C. The fatherhood of Abraham extended not only to a physical nation, the Jews; it extended to a spiritual nation of believers in Jesus Christ.
III.
THE
EGYPTIAN ERA. Neh. 9:9-10
A. The emphasis of this part of the history is on the ill that came upon the Egyptians as a direct result of their mistreatment of the Jews. "And showedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them."
Study notes:
What is the root cause of all of the suffering and misery in the world? What danger is there in mistreating God's people?
B. The Egyptians were in a position to have the upper hand on the Jews.
1.
For several years, through the life of Joseph, they were good to the
Jews, but Exodus 1:8
describes a turning-point which occurred after Joseph died. "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."
Study notes:
How does what happened to Israel over the years teach us that our confidence must ever be in God and not in men and governments?
2. Exodus 1 tells how the Egyptians then took full advantage of their position and made life very difficult for the Jews. Consider especially Exodus 1:11-14,22.
C. God, who knows exactly where His people are at every moment, dealt harshly with the Egyptians as a direct result of their mistreatment of His people.
1. God saw the affliction of His people and heard their cry. Neh. 9:9. "...thou knewest..." Vs. 10.
Study notes:
What does this story say about prayer?
2. God always knows and He pays special attention to His people. 2 Chron. 16:9. Psalm 11:4. Heb. 4:13.
3. All of the plagues that ultimately ruined the Egyptians were as a direct result of their mistreatment of His people. Exodus 7:20-12:30.
Study notes:
What were some of the plagues that God brought on Egypt?
4. The destroyed Egyptians are a glaring testimonial of the reality of Genesis 12:3, "I will...curse him that curseth thee." Be careful that you do not oppose those whom have the favor of God. 1 Sam. 24:6-10.
Study notes:
Name a case where you have observed what appeared to be the divine justice of God.
D. "So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day."
1. News of God's great devastation of the Egyptians travelled far and wide. Numbers 14:14. Joshua 2:10-11. Joshua 9:9. Psalm 78:12.
2.
The building of the wall against such odds by Nehemiah and his people was
a great tribute to God and exalted Him and his fame.
Study notes:
Discuss the impact of God's accomplishments through His people upon the world around.
IV.
THE EXODUS ERA. Neh. 9:11-14
A. The miraculous
crossing of the Red Sea. Neh. 9:11
1. This verse is a summary of Exodus 14. The Red Sea crossing is one of the most striking and spectacular demonstrations of the power of God is the history of mankind.
2. God did two miraculous things for Israel.
a. He parted the deep waters of the Red Sea.
Creating a path through the sea with a hugh wall of water on each side defies known laws of physics and nature. From a human standpoint, even with the collective force of a mighty nation, it is impossible.
Furthermore, this is not a freak natural phenomenon. Nothing on this fashion has ever been observed in nature, even in great storms.
b. He instantly dried the ground which has been covered with water for years.
This magnifies the status of this miracle. The ground would have been expected to be boggy, which is verified by the fact that when the Egyptians attempted to pass through the corridor, their chariots bogged to a stop in the mud.
c. God kept the corridor through the waters open for an extended period, long enough for all of the Israelis to pass from one side of the Red Sea to the other. Their numbers have been estimated at over 3 million. Crossing would have taken several hours.
Study notes:
Discuss this miracle from a human and logical standpoint.
3. For Israel God did a mighty work against the Egyptians.
a. He completely overthrew and destroyed them in the Red Sea. As they attempted to follow Israel through the corridor, God rolled the waters back and the Egyptians were all drowned.
b. God was the great warrior in this incident. He fought for His people and against those who opposed them. Rom. 8:31. Exodus 22:23. Heb. 10:31. Job 9:4.
c. The credit here and the glory goes to God, not Israel.
Study notes:
What are the odds of our success apart from the help of God?
B. God's divine
protection. Neh. 9:12
1. This verse is a summary of Exodus 15-19.
2. The "cloudy pillar" and "the pillar of fire" were miraculous phenomena. Each provided enormous protection for the Israelis. Job 1:10. Ps. 34:7. Deut. 33:27.
Study notes:
Have you ever witnessed God protecting you? Give your testimony.
C God's giving of the law. Neh. 9:13-14
1. The law was a very lengthy and consuming document. It was a guide to living, and
excellent but exacting way to live personally and corporately. It was given through Moses at Sinai.
2. Here Israel is reminded that God is the author and giver of the law. It is God's standard for life.
3. As good as the law was, it was not given as a means of salvation and no man was ever saved by keeping it. Rom. 3:19-31. Rom. 8:3. Rom. 10:4. Gal. 2:16. Gal. 3:24.
Study notes:
What is your attitude toward the law?
"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"