Thoughts on Neh. 9:27-38

Read Nehemiah 9:27-38.

1. Verse 27 > Who can understand or exhaust God's compassion? (This isn't a trick question.)
2. According to verse 29, what was God's purpose for handing over His people for a time?  Never let anyone say God is unmerciful.
3. So what, then, is most important to God? (Hint: It wasn't His people's comfort.)
4. Verse 33 > There's 2 Tim. 2:13 again.
5. Verse 35 > Prosperity is no substitute for holiness.  God's blessing you isn't necessarily His endorsement of your heart. 
6. Verses 36-37 > The consequences for marginalizing, trivializing or eliminating God > bondage, futility, anxiety.

Further Thoughts on Favor (Neh. 9:26-27)

Read Nehemiah 9:26-27.

1. In the NIV, verse 26 starts with the word "but."  In spite of God's favor, expressed in verses 19-25.  God's blessing doesn't eliminate the need for man's cooperation.
2. Verse 26 reminds us that blessed, favored people don't always respond as if they're favored.  That's an observation, not an excuse.
3. God's faithfulness is greater than man's fickleness.  He remains faithful even when we are faith-less (2 Tim. 2:13).  God doesn't wait for us to act right first.  Thank God for divine initiative!

Blessed And Highly Favored (Neh. 9:19-25)

Read Nehemiah 9:19-25.

If you had to summarize this paragraph in one word, the word "favor" would be a good choice.  If you are a child of God, you are favored.  If you don't think so, consider Eph. 1:3-14.  In Christ, you have been blessed with "every spiritual blessing."

Today, since you are already blessed, why not be a blessing to someone else?  Favored people favor people.

Four Contributors to Disobedience (Neh. 9:16-18)

Read Nehemiah 9:16-17.

1. To what two things does verse 16 attribute disobedience?
2. Verse 17 provides two more contributors to disobedience.  What are they?
3. Wait, it's not all bad news.  What do verses 17 and 18 tell us about God? God is...
4. If you needed a reason to praise God, you have one now!

Satisfaction (Neh. 9:15)

Read Nehemiah 9:15.

1. If you had to summarize this verse in one word, what would it be? (I would use the word "satisfaction".)
2. Is God (Jesus) satisfying to you? Explain.
3. Read Matthew 5:6.  What is your part in being spiritually satisfied?
4. Is your God-satisfaction static or dynamic?

When God Came Down (Neh. 9:13)

Read Nehemiah 9:13.

1. What's the big deal in this verse?  (Hint:  It is before any mention of God's Law.)
2. God came down.  Does that thought excite you or terrify you?  Why?
3. When was the ultimate time God came down?  (Hint:  It has to do with a holiday.)  If you're stuck, read John. 1:1-5, 9-18.
4. By the way, God (Jesus) is coming down again!  There will be an invisible coming for His saints (1 Thess. 4:16-17 and, about 7 years later, a visible coming with His saints (Acts 1:10-11; Rev. 19:14).

Thoughts on Divine Guidance and Human Suffering (Neh. 9:9-12)

Read Nehemiah 9:9-12.

1. In verse 9, what is it the Levites said that God saw? (This is not a trick question.)
2. Do you believe God sees your suffering?  How does your answer affect your view of Him?
3. Here is a prayer based upon verse 10:  Oh, Lord, continue making a name for Yourself!  Continue to intervene for Your people! (Please say a prayer for Israel right now.)
4. From verse 12, what do you notice about divine guidance? (Give your own answer before going to number 5.)
5. There was never a time God left His people to figure out things on their own.  He faithfully led them every minute of every day.
6. "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah..." (William Williams)

Blessing God's Name (Neh. 9:4-38)

Read Nehemiah 9:4-38.

1. What does this passage tell you about blessing God's name?  (Hint:  What did the Levites focus upon?)
2. Finish this sentence:  To "bless God's name" is to .... (Give your own answer before going to number three.)
3. To "bless God's name" is to remind ourselves aloud about God's promises and His track record of fulfilling them.  You cannot bless God's name while speaking or thinking lowly of Him.
4. According to verse 8, why does God keep His promises? (Hint:  It has to do with His identity, not His activity.)

Fasting (Neh. 9:1-3)

Read Nehemiah 9:1-3.

1. What does this paragraph tell you about fasting?  (Give your own answer before continuing to number two.)
2. Fasting is self-imposed discomfort, willful self-abasement , for the purpose of hearing God clearly. 
3. In its strictest sense, fasting is abstaining from food for a predetermined period of time.
4. Fasting is linked with separation, confession and worship.  When you fast, do more than not eat.  Take time to pray.

Nehemiah Chapter 10

• Themes
• Responsibility
• Generosity
• Key Words
• "Tithe", "tenth" > 5x
• "House of the Lord", "House of our God" > 9x
• "Contribution", "contribute" > 3x
• "First", "firstbruit" > 5x
• Outline
• Statement of the leaders of this covenant (10:1-27)
• Submission to the authority of God's Word (10:28-29)
• Separation from the compromise by worldly influence (10:30)
• Surrender to the responsibilities of corporate worship (10:31-39)
• Observation #1
• The community (10:1-27) was to be known as people of the Book (10:28-30) and people of the House (10:31-39).  Christians want to open the Bible and live accordingly.  Christians want to be in church.
• Observation #2
• To not tithe, to not bring the first, to not contribute -- this meant neglect and irresponsibility.  Lack of generosity meant failure to accept covenant responsibility.  Before they could accept responsibility, they had to surrender their lives (10:28-30).  If your heart (life) isn't surrendered, your money and goods won't be either.  Maintaining Christian community (church, the family of God) is a costly enterprise.  It will cost you time, effort, money, leisure and energy.  Nonetheless, it is worth it!

All about God's Faithfulness (Neh. ch. 9)

If you ever needed proof of God's faithfulness, read Nehemiah chapter 9.  Maybe you need that assurance right now.

God is faithful, even when we are faithless toward Him.  He is the God of mercy and compassion, neither of which His people deserve.

2 Tim. 2:13; Lam. 3:22-23.

C'mon, somebody get excited!

What a High View of God's Word (Neh. ch. 8)

• Hunger for God's Word.  Who initiated this reading?
• Reverence for God's Word.  The people stood for a long time and hung on every word.
• Translation of God's Word.  The teachers gave the sense. The people knew what God said and what He meant.
• Obedience to God's Word.  The people determined they would do what God said.

May God cause it to be so today.  Let's be people with a high view of Scripture.

Maximizing God's Word (Neh. ch. 8)

1. You must know what God's Word says (8:1-6).  To know what it says, you must read it.  Do you have a systematic Bible reading plan?
2. You must know what God's Word means (8:7-8,13).  Do you understand what you read?  Have you accurately interpreted the passage?   Do you know what the passage demands from you?  One way to gain better understanding is to take notes of your pastor's sermons.
3. You must know what God's Word requires (8:9-10,14-18).  Where can you put your new insights to work right now?  Meaning without application isn't productive.  Be more than informed.  Be transformed.  Change happens through application. 

Reputation and Responsibility (Neh. 7:2)

Reputation leads to responsibility.  High reputation leads to greater responsibility.  Low reputation leads to lesser.  Your reputation is determined by your record -- faithfulness to God and faithfulness to assigned work.  There is no shortcut to promotion.

More Attacks from the Opposition (Neh. 6:1-14)

When you work for God, it doesn't take much to annoy critics, skeptics and enemies.  We're now in Nehemiah chapter 6.  Three more attacks are launched.  Previous attacks are found in chapters 2, 4, 5.

1. The opposition attacked Nehemiah's momentum by suggesting an unnecessary meeting (6:1-4).  Insight #1:  Activity isn't the same as productivity.  Insight #2:  You can fill your day and get nothing important done.  Insight #3:  Say no to things that divert attention and disturb momentum.
2. The opposition attacked Nehemiah's reputation through verbal and written messages (6:5-9).  Insight #4:  When you do what God called you to do, you WILL be attacked.  Ask God for grace not to respond inappropriately.  Insight #5:  You answer to God first.
3. The opposition attacked Nehemiah's knowledge of Scripture, to see if he would self-incriminate (6:10-14).  Insight #6:  Know what the Bible says and means.  Read it regularly, systematically, throughly. 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17.

These attacks were due to Nehemiah's character and competence.  If you're never attacked, it's probably because you're content with the unimportant.  Only serious threats warrant the enemy's interference and retaliation.  Attacked?  Be encouraged.  You're doing something right!

Three Key Traits for Leaders (Neh. ch. 5)

1. Courage (5:1-13).  Stand for right.  Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do.
2. Sacrifice (5:14-19).  Settle for less.  Just because something is your due doesn't mean you have to take it. Leadership is selfless.  It exists for the people's benefit, not the leader's preservation.
3. Discipline (5:16).  Stay on task.  Identify the main thing and don't get sidetracked.

Both Hands Occupied (Neh. 4:17)

In one hand was the work (the tool, the load, the contribution).  In the other hand was the weapon (the sword or spear).  Nehemiah's strategy was to build and defend, to construct and deter.  Half-hearted, one-handed builder-warriors needed not apply.  Nehemiah required committed worker-warriors.

Here are three observations from Nehemiah 4:17.

1. The goal was to build the wall, not to win a war.  Keep the main thing the main thing.  What are you "building" in God's kingdom?
2. Willingness to work without readiness to fight is a huge risk.  You must be prepared for attack, even if threats never materialize.  This is true of governments that battle terrorism.  It is also true of the church as it battles Satan (1 Pet. 5:8).
3. Don't just be prepared to fight.  Some Christians are addicted to spiritual warfare.  Satan wins when all the church's energy goes to defense.  It's time for some more offense!

Build the Wall Where You Are (Neh. ch. 3)

Read Nehemiah chapter 3.

Three things were associated with Jerusalem: the mountains, the temple and the city wall. Of course the mountains had remained (Psa 125:2). The temple foundation had been laid during the oversight of Ezra.  Little had been done about the condition of the city walls.

Nehemiah chapter three is about individuals and families who built the wall. Walls provide distinction and defense. Siimply put -- What's on one side of the wall isn't on the other. The Bible talks about our separation, our distinction as believers (2 Cor. 6:17).

Build the wall right where you are.  Build the wall where you live.  Build the wall where you work.  Build the wall wherever you're at.

A "wall" is a strategic, ongoing effort to protect your relationships and environments. Building the wall requires vigilance and diligence. With neglect the wall can collapse on its own, but it will never be built or reinforced accidentally.

What strategies, policies or practices do you use to protect yourself and your relationships?  How do you go about building your "wall"?

What a Burden Will Do (Part 2)

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:10 for context.

What will a burden do? A burden will cause you to...

• Show (2:1-2). The burden you feel affects you to the core. You "own it." It's part of you. You can't hide it. Others notice. Since they probably don't share your burden, it is hard for them to understand. Only a burdened person can understand another burdened person.
• Plan (2:3-8). This was not a make-it-up-as-you-go-along "plan." It was a thought-out plan and a prayed-through plan. Feeling, by itself, isn't enough. Praying, by itself, isn't enough. You must determine what God wants you to do and how He wants you to do it. Then you must implement.
• Be attacked (2:9-10). Whenever you have a burden, someone else will stand in your way. Expect unbelievers to attack your burden. Expect conflict. Expect someone to be displeased. That's not cynicism. I prefer to call it preparing for reality. Those who don't have a burden will attack those who do.

What a Burden Will Do (Part 1)

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:10 for context.

What will a burden do? A burden will cause you to...

• Listen (1:1-3). You may not have a burden that you know of, but one way to identify it is to see what captivates your attention. What do you keep talking about? What do you keep asking about? You listen so you can learn and understand.
• Feel (1:4). What you hear stirs emotion in you. Compassion at first, aggression later. You are moved so much that you must do something.
• Fast and pray (1:4-11). You're not above the people in the situation. No, it's as if you're one of them. Prayer removes pride and exposes false motivation. Prayer positions you to be God's servant instead of man's hero. This prayer is based upon God's Word. That's the source of your authority.