Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights
Nehemiah 1-5
1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
He had already mourned, fasted and prayed before he recorded the prayer in v. 5 – v. 10. It seems he poured out his heart to God and then formulated a proper prayer.
1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
He had already mourned, fasted and prayed before he recorded the prayer in v. 5 – v. 10. It seems he poured out his heart to God and then formulated a proper prayer.
2:20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”
(From Constable Commentary) Donald Campbell identified 21 principles of effective leadership that Nehemiah demonstrated:
• He established a reasonable and attainable goal
• He investigated the situation first hand
• He had a sense of mission
• He informed others only after he knew the size of problem
• He was willing to get involved
• He identified himself as one with the people
• He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal
• He set before them a good reasonable, attainable
• He patiently waited for God’s timing
• He assured them God was in the project
• He showed respect to his superior
• He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles
• He prayed at crucial times
• He did not argue with opponents
• He made his request with tach and graciousness
• He was not discouraged by opposition
• He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance
• He went through proper channels
• He courageously used the authority of his position
• He took (three days) to rest, pray and plan
• He displayed God-confidence in facing obstacles
2:20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”
(From Constable Commentary) Donald Campbell identified 21 principles of effective leadership that Nehemiah demonstrated:
• He established a reasonable and attainable goal
• He investigated the situation first hand
• He had a sense of mission
• He informed others only after he knew the size of problem
• He was willing to get involved
• He identified himself as one with the people
• He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal
• He set before them a good reasonable, attainable
• He patiently waited for God’s timing
• He assured them God was in the project
• He showed respect to his superior
• He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles
• He prayed at crucial times
• He did not argue with opponents
• He made his request with tach and graciousness
• He was not discouraged by opposition
• He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance
• He went through proper channels
• He courageously used the authority of his position
• He took (three days) to rest, pray and plan
• He displayed God-confidence in facing obstacles
3:5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
Always someone who won’t pull their weight! Always someone who doesn’t like taking orders and being followers and not the leaders
3:5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
Always someone who won’t pull their weight! Always someone who doesn’t like taking orders and being followers and not the leaders
4:9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
(Constable Commentary) “Nehemiah and the people’s response to opposition – prayer, continued work and self-defence.” Previously in Ezra the people’s response to opposition was to stop work.
4:9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
(Constable Commentary) “Nehemiah and the people’s response to opposition – prayer, continued work and self-defence.” Previously in Ezra the people’s response to opposition was to stop work.
5:9 So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?
One reason why we ‘do the right thing’ is to avoid the reproach of our enemies. We need to give God a good name and not attract the disapproval of our enemies because we have hurt others
5:9 So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?
One reason why we ‘do the right thing’ is to avoid the reproach of our enemies. We need to give God a good name and not attract the disapproval of our enemies because we have hurt others