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Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson
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Studies in Nehemiah Lesson 5
ARRIVAL AT THE APPOINTED WORK STATION
I.
THE TRIP & ARRIVAL AT JERUSALEM. Verses 9-11
A.
The value of good planning. Vs. 9
1.
"Then I came to the governors beyond the river..."
"...Beyond the river..."
refers to the region west of the Euphrates river.
Study notes:
Locate the Euphrates River and the land beyond or west of it on a map.
Throughout his kingdom, Artaxerxes had local and regional officials. They
would require proof of Nehemiah's authority to do what he planned. See 1 Kings 10:1 and Ezra 8:36.
2.
"I...gave them the king's letters."
Official legal documents from Artaxerxes granting authority for the
mission. See verses 7-8.
Study notes:
Imagine Nehemiah attempting such a venture without proper documentation.
Describe the meeting with Asaph apart from legal authority.
3. Since "the
good hand of my God upon me" vs.
8, king Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah even more than he requested. "Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with
me." Eph. 3:20
B.
Enemies in the way. Vs. 10
1. All who would do
right will generate enemies among those who have no regard for right. 2
Tim. 3:12.
a.
"Sanballat the Horonite."
From Samaria (Beth-horon). His name means "the moon god, Sin, hath
given life" (Davis Dictionary of the Bible). "Bethhoron" means
"Anger; fury."
b.
"Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite."
Study notes:
Locate Beth-horon on a map. Locate Ammon on a map.
2.
"It grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the
welfare of the children of Israel."
a.
The Jews are perennially hated. They are typical of the people of God.
b.
Nehemiah was wise enough to know that opposition would come. Mat.
10:16.
Study notes:
Is there someone in your life who has become your enemy simply because of
your Christian stance, intentions or conduct?
C.
"So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days."
Vs. 11
1. Physically resting
after the long, hard journey.
2. Waiting on God.
II.
SURVEYING THE JOB AT HAND. Verses 12-16
NOTE: At this point, through 6:19, Nehemiah becomes "the
builder."
A.
The wisdom of select secrecy. vs.
12
1.
"I arose in the night...neither told I any man what my God had put
in my heart to do at Jerusalem"
Nehemiah kept his movements and plans secret lest efforts be made to
frustrate them in their infancy. Remember vs.
10.
Study notes:
Discuss situations where secrecy is in order and other situations where
secrecy is not in order.
2. With a small band of
trusted allies, he went out on a donkey at night.
3. Consider verse
16.
B.
Surveying the damage and planning the repairs. vs.
13-15
1.
"Viewed." vs.
13&15
a.
Means he inspected and looked carefully to see the extent of the damage.
b.
Proper diagnosis of any pathology is essential to a plan of recovery.
Study notes:
Discuss a situation in your life where failure to diagnose properly
produced bitter and negative results.
2.
Note that Nehemiah's survey trip was very extensive.
3. The damage and ruin
was overwhelming. "the walls of Jerusalem...were broken down, and the gates thereof
were consumed with fire" vs. 13.
The destruction was so extensive that Nehemiah said, "there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass"
vs. 14.
a.
The Babylonians did this. 2
Chronicles 36:17-21.
b.
The reason why. 2 Chronicles 36:16.
Study notes:
Discuss real-life cases of sin's consequences.
C.
Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah.
1. See map.
2.
"I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the
dragon well."
Nehemiah exited the city to the west into the Tyroppean valley, then
turned south. The valley gate was built by king Uzziah. 2Chron.
26:9. Jerusalem had a total of 12 gates.
3.
"Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's
pool."
Nehemiah reached the south end of the city and turned east. Hezekiah had
dug a tunnel from the Gihon spring to this point where he had built pools. 2
Chron. 32:3, 30, 2 Kings 20:20.
4.
Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned
back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned."
Next, Nehemiah went north north-eastward in the Kidron valley before
turning back and entering the city where he originally exited.
"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"