1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:
‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 ‘Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”
10 ‘They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.’
I was cupbearer to the king.
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READINGS
The Book of NEHEMIAH
Chapter One
Read by Sir David Suchet
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OVERVIEW
The Book of Ezra and NEHEMIAH
- Overview -
The Bible Project
Ezra and NEHEMIAH "The Bible in 5"
Tim Mackie (The Bible Project)
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STUDY - LINKS
The Book of NEHEMIAH
David Pawson
Part 1
Part 2
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1 comment:
Nehemiah’s attitude here takes my mind to David when he bacame aware of Goliath’s threats. For both of these men, when faced with a challenge or problem threatening God’s people, their primary concern was to uphold the name, integrity, reputation and purposes of God before the people.
David was disturbed that an ‘uncircumcised’ Philistine should defy the armies of the living God, circumcision here referring to the covenant relationship God had with his special people. Nehemiah probably recalled to mind the words from Psalm 137:5-6: ‘If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy’. Nehemiah’s thinking was: “If God cares about the fortunes of Jerusalem, so do I. It will be my chief joy”
Neither David nor Nehemiah criticised anyone, or complained, or whined or sought someone else who could sort the problem out. They both took immediate charge. David said to King Saul “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him”, and then resorted to what he was used to... the sling and stone, and an unshakeable faith in God. Nehemiah immediately did what he knew he could best do, which was to pray, and intensely seek God in this situation.
What incredible men of faith and action.
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