The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Nehemiah

  • Faithfully Follow

    “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

    Matthew 16:24-25

    Nehemiah helped rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem, reinforcing the city. Not only that, but many times the enemy’s plans were thwarted, and God’s people were able to complete the walls in fifty-two days.

    Once the city was reinforced and protected, it was time to organize the people. Nehemiah appointed jobs to people and selected men to be rulers in the city. He taught them of the importance of appointing guards to protect the gates of the city, controlling what was allowed inside Jerusalem. The people gathered together and asked Ezra to read the book of the Law to them. After hearing God’s Words, the people recognized their sin, repented, and began to live according to God’s Word. This was followed with a time of prayer. After acknowledging their sin, they made a covenant with God to obey His commands.

    Nehemiah returned to Shushan to serve the king again – just as he had promised. After a short time, he returned to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he saw much sin – beginning in the house of the Lord. Eliashib, the priest, was friends with Tobiah (their adversary) and had allowed him to move into the Temple. The Levites were working outside of the city instead of taking care of the house of the Lord. The people were working, buying, and selling on the Sabbath – breaking God’s commands. They had intermarried with the nations around, again; for the high priest’s own grandson had married the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of God’s people. Nehemiah confronted the people and their sin. He warned the people of the great evil to transgress against God. The sin was corrected. Nehemiah prayed for God’s people. Take time to recognize just how often Nehemiah prayed. Knowing God’s Word and prayer are key in living right before God.

    One of the truly sad parts of the book of Nehemiah is that without the constant reproof and the presence of Nehemiah, the people did not continually obey God. They quickly forgot God’s Word, reverting back into their comfortable lifestyles – living however they wanted. If Christians are not careful, we too, will enter into that same trap that the Israelites fell into once they returned to Jerusalem. Christians tend to see and become part of the world in which we live – contrary to Biblical teachings. “15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17). We are warned, and then encouraged to do the will of God.

    Christians are to remember what Jesus taught. “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26). It is important for Christians to deny themselves and follow Jesus – daily!

    Christians today have a great advantage that God’s people did not have in the Old Testament. Each person who gives their heart and life to Jesus has God’s Spirit given to them – to teach them right from wrong. The people in Jerusalem had Nehemiah. Nevertheless, when he left, they forgot. God’s Spirit, that Jesus called the Comforter, never leaves a Christian – so we should never forget. Remember what Jesus told His disciples. “15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17.Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17). That Comforter Jesus gave enables us to obey God’s commandments written in the Bible. We have no excuse!

    What should motivate Christians to please Jesus in all we do? “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). It would be good to remember what Jesus prayed for his disciples on that last night in the garden. “14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). Christians, today, have God’s Word and His Spirit. We must remember that we are not of this world, just as Jesus is not of this world.

    Do you pray often, choosing to deny the things of the world and faithfully follow Jesus?

  • Men who Served God

    “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

    Ephesians 6:18

    Zerubbabel was a man who lived in Babylon during the time of the captivity of Israel. He had the opportunity to take a group of Israelites back to their homeland, by the decree of Cyrus the Persian. Zerubbabel must have understood the importance of returning to the land of Israel, especially the city of Jerusalem. “And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor” (Ezra 5:14). Cyrus sent with them much of the treasure that had been taken when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. They returned to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel did not only lead the people safely back to Jerusalem, but he led in the rebuilding of God’s Temple. Take note that Zerubbabel is known as Sheshbazzar to Cyrus the king. “Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished” (Ezra 5:16). See how this is confirmed in Zechariah: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you” (Zechariah 4:9). All would know that the Lord of hosts sent Zerubbabel.

    Zerubbabel was one who could never be a king (even though he was in the kingly lineage), yet this did not stop him from wanting to help God’s people return to their homeland. He became all he could be, a great leader, for God and His people. He also became the governor of God’s people. But more that that, he helped rebuild the Temple of the Lord. Because Zerubbabel was faithful, much was accomplished under his authority.

    The second group that returned (many years later), was led by Ezra. He was a priest living among the remaining captives in the land of Babylon. He led a group to Jerusalem. What was his plan once in Jerusalem? “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10). The word prepared means “to be established; to stand firm; to be faithful; to be reliable; to be ready and prepared; to be determined; especially to be sure to bring something into an indisputable existence.” Ezra was on a mission. Not only was he going to know the Law of the Lord, and do it in his life, but also he would teach that Law in Israel to God’s people – making sure they lived according to God’s Words. This was an important. Ezra became a great leader in Jerusalem, and taught the people to live according to God’s Word. “This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him” (Ezra 7:6). Many recognized “the hand of the LORD his God upon him.”

    A message was delivered to a man named Nehemiah declaring that the walls were broken and the gates of Jerusalem were burned. He was the cupbearer in King Artaxerxes court. (King Artaxerxes had allowed Ezra to lead a group into Israel. See Ezra 7-8.) When Nehemiah received the message, he immediately prayed. “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer” (Nehemiah 1:11). Nehemiah fasted and prayed for four months. After this, the king recognized Nehemiah was troubled and asked what troubled him. Nehemiah was in a unique position as the king’s cupbearer, for he was often in the king’s presence. Nehemiah told the king his heart’s desire – to return to the city of Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and gates. Not only did the king send him, but gave him many supplies.

    God had placed a burden in Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. Moreover, Nehemiah responded to that call, after much prayer. With that prayer, we found he had great insight in recognizing the hand of the enemies as they tried, often, to thwart God’s plans. It saved his life many times. Not only that, but by Nehemiah’s leadership, the people prayed for God’s help. God helped them, and the enemies recognized that the walls were built by God’s hand. Even with oppositions, they completed the wall in fifty-two days! There is a verse that we too, can remember. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Not only did Nehemiah pray for God to work in his personal life, but in the lives of God’s people.

    Have you prayed, recognizing a place God has for you to serve Him today?

  • Lesson 10: Nehemiah 7-13 Instructions for the People

    Key Verse

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

    —1 Corinthians 15:10

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. The first half of the verse is helping us understand that only one who has asked Jesus into their heart and life can live a life pleasing to God, and that is only because of grace. Grace means“the favor and good will of God undeservedly given to people; the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to a holy God.” Moreover, because it is an undeserved forgiveness of sin, Christians are to work harder than anyone else to please God, obeying His commands. We must remember that we cannot do it by ourselves. We can only do it with the help of God.

    Emphasis: We are to be strong as Nehemiah. He not only lived a life pleasing to God, but he led others to do the same. Christians are to recognize that we have God’s Spirit to help us and we are to be faithful to remove sin when we see it in our lives.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned how Nehemiah helped rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem, reinforcing the city. Not only that, but we learned of the many times the enemy’s plans were thwarted, and God’s people were able to complete the walls in fifty-two days.  

    Now that the city was reinforced and protected, it was time to organize the people. Nehemiah appointed jobs to people and selected men to be rulers in the city. The people gathered together and asked Ezra to read the book of the Law to them. After hearing God’s Words, the people began to live according to God’s Word. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. This was followed with a time of prayer. After acknowledging their sin, they made a covenant with God to obey His commands.

    The people drew lots to find out who would live inside of the city of Jerusalem, and who would live in the cities around. Then there was a dedication of the completed walls.

    Nehemiah returned to Shushan to serve the king again – just as he had promised. After a time, he returned to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he saw much sin – beginning in the house of the Lord. Eliashib, the priest, was friends with Tobiah (their adversary) and had allowed him to move into the Temple. The Levites were working outside of the city instead of taking care of the house of the Lord. The people were working, buying, and selling on the Sabbath – breaking God’s commands. They had intermarried with the nations around, again; for the high priest’s own grandson had married the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of God’s people. Nehemiah removed and corrected the sins of the people. He prayed for God’s people.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 10 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 10 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson:

    We cut out a copy of the Ten Commandments and made a book of the Law to help us remember the importance of knowing God’s Word and living according to what the Bible teaches.

  • Lesson 9: Nehemiah 1-6 Rebuilding the Walls

    Key Verse

    … and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

    —1 Peter 3:15b

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse and understand that the way to have a ready answer comes by much prayer. In this lesson, we will learn of a mighty man of prayer named Nehemiah. When the people in Jerusalem did not know what to do, Nehemiah was always ready with a word of hope and encouragement for God’s people

    Emphasis: Today, we will learn that prayer is not only important for our own personal life to know what God wants us to do, but to also be an encouragement to others with a word of hope. 

    Lesson Summary: Zerubbabel led the first of the people back into the land of Israel. We then learned that Ezra led a second group from the land of Babylon into Israel. The Temple of the Lord had been rebuilt, but we will learn today that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates were burned. No one had begun to reinforce the city of Jerusalem.

    A message of the condition of Jerusalem was delivered to a man named Nehemiah. He was the cupbearer in King Artaxerxes court. (Remember that King Artaxerxes allowed Ezra to lead a group into Israel.) When Nehemiah received the message, he immediately prayed. When the king recognized he was troubled and asked what it was, Nehemiah told the king his heart’s desire – to return to the city of Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and gates. Not only did the king send him, but gave him many supplies.

    When Nehemiah returned, he surveyed the damage. He reported to the people what needed to be done. The people agreed that the walls and gates needed to be rebuilt. So, they began. 

    And the enemies made themselves known. Today we will learn of the many troubles the enemies caused God’s people as they rebuilt the city walls and gates – and the many times the enemies plans were thwarted because of the prayers of Nehemiah and God’s people. 

    Even with the threats from the enemies to come in and kill God’s people, they remained to the task of building – many with sword or spear in hand. Nevertheless, God was with them, the gates were built, and then the walls were finished in fifty-two days.

    Y2Q4 Lesson 9 Questions

    Y2Q4 Lesson 9 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following are a couple of ideas for a craft to help them remember Nehemiah:

    To help us remember that Nehemiah helped rebuild the walls in gates around Jerusalem, we built a “wall with gates” out of construction paper. We then added the verses Nehemiah 6:15-16 at the top.

  • Having Done All, to Stand

    “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
    Ephesians 6:13

    Nehemiah was a man who was faithful in his job as a king’s cupbearer in the land of Persia. Yet when he heard of the condition of the broken down walls in Jerusalem, he had a desire to do something about it. First, he prayed. Then when the king asked what he wanted, Nehemiah asked if the king would send him to Jerusalem, the home of his people, to build it. The king sent him. Nehemiah led the people to rebuild the city walls in spite of the resistance against them, encouraging the people to remember God was with them. This is what we remember Nehemiah for accomplishing. However, Nehemiah did so much more.

    Nehemiah understood the importance of not only the physical rebuilding of the city that was needed, but also the spiritual rebuilding that must coincide. When he saw wrong living among the people, he “consulted” with himself and understood what was needed to make corrections. He knew the Word of God and helped apply those principles to the people’s living. Throughout these changes, the enemies constantly tried to harm or kill Nehemiah. Nevertheless, he perceived this danger, and by God’s grace avoided those instances of mischief.

    Nehemiah had promised the king he would return to fulfill his job in Persia. Because of that promise to leave Jerusalem, Nehemiah understood the importance of implementing certain things before he left. He set porters (watchmen) at the doors of the newly built walls, and made sure the religious leaders were organized in their jobs. Nehemiah also established faithful leadership that feared God. Ezra (the ready scribe) read the Law of Moses to the people, and the Levites helped the people understand what was read. When the people heard and understood the Word of God when it was read to them, there was a time of weeping. They recognized the sin in their lives, and they chose to eliminate that sin from their lives. The people committed to follow the Law of Moses. Through all of these actions, Nehemiah was teaching the people to know how to stand.

    • To stand in the truth of God’s Word and oppose the evil that tried to stop the people from rebuilding and protecting the city.
    • To recognize the leaders who feared God that had been placed over them.
    • To know the truth of God’s Word understanding how to live lives pleasing to God.

    Nehemiah was faithful to complete the job God had for him. This job included teaching the people.

    One cannot help but compare the things Nehemiah did to the truths Paul wrote of to the church at Ephesus. He wanted them to know how to stand in the wicked days in which they lived. He gave them principles of God’s Word, teaching them how to live. However, one could not do it on their own. He taught them: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). What is this armor one needs to be able to stand and not fall in the evil days?

    One needs the following: “14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18).

    • Truth
    • Righteousness
    • Gospel
    • Shield of Faith
    • Salvation
    • Word of God (sword)
    • Prayer
    • To Watch

    Can you see these truths lived out in the life of Nehemiah, centuries before they were written to the church at Ephesus? God’s Word never changes. The ability to life a life pleasing to God is the same today, just as it was in the Old Testament times as well as in the New Testament times.

    Do you live a life where you stand in the Truth of God’s Word, having taken the Whole Armor of God?

  • How to Apply God’s Word

    “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”
    Jeremiah 33:3

    A Christian is to understand that God’s Word is the Bible. Christians have Bibles and know they are important to have, but one cannot forget the importance of knowing what the Bible says. It was written for Christians. It is imperative that every Christian learn how to use the Bible correctly. In order to realize the best way to apply God’s Word, one must first know it.

    How can one know what God’s Word truly says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). It is imperative that a Christian searches the Scriptures daily; knowing if what they are hearing is true according to God’s Word. A great way to do this is to compare Scripture with Scripture. It is then that one can gain a better understand of what God is trying to teach.

    In that searching daily, one is hiding God’s Word in their heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). It is then that one more readily recognizes sin. One learns that God is not pleased when there is sin in that life. That sin must be eliminated.

    When a Christian searches the Bible daily, hiding it in their heart, what is one to do if they do not understand what they read? What if they do not know what to do in a situation? “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). The word knowest here means “to see; specifically to come to the knowledge of, by seeing, by hearing, and by experience.” God will help one to understand if only one will ask.

    It is at times like these (not understanding or not knowing what to do) that one should know enough to stop, and ask God for help. This brings to mind an event that happened in the Bible. 

    Nehemiah was in a strange land serving a foreign king. When he heard distressing news about his homeland, he was troubled and sad. He knew God’s commands and prayed for God to forgive sin (see Nehemiah 1:4-11). When the king recognized there was something wrong with Nehemiah, he asked what the problem was. Nehemiah told the king he was sad because his homeland lay waste and the gates burned. The king asked what he would request. The Bible tells us that right then and there, Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven. It was not a long, loud, lengthy prayer. It was an immediate request (not heard aloud) from a child of God to his Father. We do not know what the prayer was, but Nehemiah then had the ability to give the king a wise answer. It was then that the king granted the request. He allowed Nehemiah to go to his homeland and help repair the city’s defenses. However, more than that, the king provided what was needed to make sure the job was completed (see Nehemiah 1:1-4; 2:1-8).

    This is much like what we are to do. When one does not understand what God’s Word is teaching, or what one is to do when faced with a situation where answers are needed, stop. Pray for God’s wisdom. God will answer, if only one will ask.

    When a Christian has the Word of God in one’s heart, and begins to understand it, what happens? “16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:16-17). One is then able to share with others what they have learned from God’s Word and are able to live a more Christ-like life.

    Have you learned to stop and ask God for answers?