Nehemiah Manual Final

GRACE COMMUNITY CHAPEL
EDUCATION MINISTRY | BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM 2011, NEHEMIAH
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P.O. Box 1415 New Brunswick NJ 08903 | (732) 246-3406 | www.gccnj.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME
LETTER..........
43
CALENDAR
AND
BIBLE STUDY INTRODUCTION.....
54
INTRODUCTION
TO
NEHEMIAH....
76
INTRODUCTORY
QUOTATIONS
143
TEXT
&
COMMENTARY........
154
APPENDICES..............
510
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WELCOME LETTER
January 2011
Dear kingdom builders of GCC!
What started out as a humble beginning in 2005 with a group of dedicated young
men and women has now become a church with three sites in Cherry Hill, South
Brunswick, and Bergen County. Men and women are being trained in discipleship,
growing in vibrant and loving cell groups, joining in passionate worship, and going
forth with determination for local and global missions.
Over the past 5 years, we have experienced Gods grace through the building up of
disciples and communities. There are some plans we had envisioned that have not
come into fruition but God has shown us new sites and a vision greater than our
initial plans. According to Matthew 28:19, God has called us to Go, therefore, and
make disciples of all nations. Therefore, we will obey Gods call by continuing to
build up the next generation of Gods servant-leaders in the next year.
More specifically, the next step of our GCC vision will consist of:
1) Fulfilling the biblical mandates of our church
2) Striving to become a self-sustaining church
3) Experiencing growth in terms of converts into believers, hunger for the Word of
God, and concern for the weak.
I hope that you can join us in experiencing what God will be doing in our church for
the upcoming year!
In His Grace,
Pastor Jae Park
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FEBRUARY
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Cell
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Group
Discu
ssion
Location/Time
Bergen County: 1st United Methodist Church, 2:30-4:00
Cherry Hill: The Kings Christian School, 1:30-3:00
New Brunswick: GCC Church Office, 12:00-1:30
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Bergen County: 1st United Methodist Church, 2:30-4:00
Cherry Hill: The Kings Christian School, 1:30-3:00
New Brunswick: GCC Church Office, 12:00-1:30
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Preparing for Bible Study Sessions

Prior
-
to each session:
Read the corresponding material.
Briefly scan the discussion questions.
Read the corresponding supplementary materials (optional).
Pray for God to illumine your mind and our church with His word.
After
-
each session:
Read and meditate on the reflection points.
Pray for Gods word to be rooted in your heart and to bear fruit.
Discuss cell group questions together with cell group members.
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INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH
Theme
The theme of Nehemiah is the Lord's protection of his people and the need for their
faithfulness in keeping the Torah (the Mosaic law) and their faithfulness in worship.
Purpose, Occasion, and Background

The Jewish community was struggling to maintain its identity as the people of the Lord,
as it faced internal and external pressures. The community was located in Jerusalem
and in towns and villages in the territory of the former kingdom of Judah. Its position
was somewhat insecure for at least two reasons. First, the community was composed
of those who had been away in exile for a long period70 years according to Jeremiah
(Jer. 25:11). (This may be reckoned, as a round number, either from the first wave of
exiles in 605 B.C. to the return in 538535, or from the destruction of the temple in 586
to the building of the new one in 516.) They returned as strangers to a land that had a
population consisting of Jews who had not been taken into exile, along with persons of
other ethnic origins who had begun to settle there. In addition, leaders in Samaria (the
old northern capital) who now held power in the Persian province Beyond the River
(see note on Ezra 4:12) resented the resurgence of Jerusalem as a separate
administrative and political center. The returnees therefore had to press their claim to
ancient entitlements in the land against local opposition. They were able to do so by
virtue of providential help from a succession of Persian kings, though this support was
variable. The persistence of opposition from enemies is clear in Ezra 4 and Nehemiah
4; 6.
Second, the Jewish community was insecure because of the severe moral and religious
challenge presented by the need to remain a distinctive people faithful to the Lord.
The time that elapses in the narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah allows this challenge to
appear. When Ezra arrives in Jerusalem, he finds the people intermarrying with nonJews (Ezra 910), which poses a threat to the community because it implies a
loosening of the covenantal bond between the Lord and his people. This explains the
strong emphasis in both books on keeping strictly separate from the so-called peoples
of the land, who, because they do not hold to the religion of the Lord, are morally
identified with the old inhabitants of the land whom Israel was long ago commanded
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to drive out (9:1; see also Deut. 7:15). Ezra is often blamed for exclusivism in his
attitude towards the mixed marriages. But the issue is essentially religious, and also a
matter of survival. It has to be balanced by the openness of the community to nonJews, who were welcome to adopt the religion of the Lord (Ezra 6:21). In this respect
Ezra is no different from the book of Ruth. Marriages to such converts, and to their
children, were not part of Ezra's concern in Ezra 910, but only marriages that were
leading to apostasy (as is clear in Neh. 13:2324). The problem was acute, however.
Under Ezra's leadership the people agree to face up to this danger, but the same issue
reemerges late in Nehemiah's time (Neh. 13:2329), about 15 years after Ezra's
arrival, when Ezra is apparently no longer on the scene. Finally, another challenge to
faithfulness came from economic pressures, which emerge clearly when Nehemiah
requires sustained manpower to complete the city wall (Nehemiah 5).
Several issues occasioned the writing of both books. Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuilt the
temple, since this is the first and indispensable mark that the Lord is once again the
center of worship in Jerusalem, the ancient Davidic capital. The prophets Haggai and
Zechariah also helped to bring this project to fruition (Ezra 5:1). Ezra, a scribe skilled
in the Law of Moses (7:6), called the community back to covenant loyalty and thus to
obedience to the Mosaic law contained in the Pentateuch. Nehemiah rebuilt the city
walls so that the community could enjoy security against possible outright attack by
enemies who might take advantage of any weakening in the imperial protection of
Judah.
These separate missions were closely associated. Ezra, though responsible for the law,
is also charged by the Persian authorities with gifts for the temple, so that he
continues the provision for the temple originally made by King Cyrus through
Zerubbabel. The books also make it clear that the work of Ezra and Nehemiah
overlapped, since Nehemiah 8 indicates that Ezra leads the great covenant-renewal
ceremony that followed the completion of the city walls. Again, at the dedication of the
wall, each plays a part in the ceremony (Neh. 12:33, 38). And most importantly, this
ceremony concludes in the temple, so that the projects of the temple and the securing
of the city are finally seen to be one.
The author of Ezra and Nehemiah balances these various concerns. There is a note of
thankfulness to God for his faithfulness in restoring the community despite enormous
odds. Indeed, this repopulation of the ancient Promised Land after exile was nothing
less than a fulfillment of prophecy (see Isa. 40:111; Jer. 25:11). But there is also
regret that the community is prone to failure in its vocation as a faithful people. The
author records a number of great gatherings of the people for the purpose of
celebration (Ezra 3:113; 6:19; Nehemiah 8), or of communal repentance (Ezra
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10; Nehemiah 9). The pervasive concern is the need for the community to remain
absolutely faithful to the Lord, because of the conviction that its very life depends on
it. The knowledge that the Lord has already judged his people with a great exile is very
present in the author's mind.
Timeline of Exile
Year
606 B.C.
597 B.C.
586 B.C.
539 B.C.
536 B.C.
Event
Babylon defeats and overthrows Assyria. Judah was a client state of
Assyria at this time.
Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon sieges Jerusalem.
Nebuchadnezzar pillaged
both the city and the Temple. King Jeconiah of Judah and his court,
prominent citizens,
craftsmen, as well as a sizable portion of the Jewish population of Judah
were deported to Babylon.
Zedekiah, appointed king of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, revolted and
formed an
alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar once again began a
siege of Jerusalem and conquered the city by breaking through
Jerusalem's walls. Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple was burnt
down. Most of the inhabitants were taken into captivity in Babylon.
Babylon is captured by Persia under the rule of Cyrus the Great. The
decree of Cyrus ends
the exile and allows the Jews to return home. Cyrus the Great also allows
the Jews to rebuild their Temple.
The first wave of exiles returns under the leadership of Zerubbabel and
Joshua the high priest. The foundations for the altar and The Second
Temple are laid under the direction of Zerubbabel.
516 B.C.
The Second Temple is completed under the rule of Persian King Darius I.
457 B.C.
The second wave of exiles return under the leadership of Ezra.
445 B.C.
The third wave of Jews return to Jerusalem

after the completion of the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's
leadership.
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Chronology of Nehemiah
Event
Year and Month

445
B.C.
Hanani brings Nehemiah a report

from Jerusalem (20th year of
Artaxerxes I)
Month
1
Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes
Month
1
Nehemiah arrives to inspect wall
Month
1
Wall is finished
445 B.C.
445 B.C.
443432
B.C.
Month 6
Day 25
People of Israel gather
Month 7
People of Israel celebrate Feast

of Booths
Month 7
Day 1522
People of Israel fast and confess

sins
Month 7
Day 24
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Nehemiah returns to Israel

(32nd year of Artaxerxes I)
Key Themes
1. The Lord hears prayer (1:46).
2. The Lord works providentially, especially through powerful rulers, to bring about his
greater purposes (e.g., 2:8).
3. The Lord protects his people; therefore, they do not need to be afraid (4:14).
4. The Lord is merciful and faithful to his promises despite his people's persistence in
sin (9:3235).
5. Worship is at the center of the life of God's people, and it includes the willing, joyful
giving of their resources (10:3239).
6. God's people need to be on their guard against their own moral weakness (ch. 13).
History of Salvation Summary

After the exile, God is renewing his people in the land, in order to carry out what he
promised to Abraham. God's people must renew their commitment to covenant
faithfulness, laying hold of God's forgiveness and seeking to practice purity in their
corporate and private lives. God in his mercy raised up Ezra the priest and teacher,
and Nehemiah the governor, to lead his people in the hard work that this renewal
requires. The public ceremonies of Chapters 810 enact this renewal, confessing past
unfaithfulness and recognizing that everythingincluding the fulfilling of Israel's
mission to bring light to the worlddepends on God's grace and steadfast
commitment to his promises (9:3238).
Literary Features
Nehemiah is a sequel to Ezra. Two main actions occur: the rebuilding of the wall of
Jerusalem and the recommitment of the returned exiles to fulfill their covenant
obligations. There is something for virtually everyonea general's diary, a governor's
report, a civil record, a management handbook, and a memoirall in one short book.
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The events covered span approximately 13 years. Part of the liveliness of the book
stems from the striking character of Nehemiah, who emerges from the pages as a
godly and decisive leader.
The book of Nehemiah displays the same mixture of narrative and documentary
material (lists, inventories, genealogies) as Ezra, but it possesses a stronger narrative
flair. The rebuilding of the city wall becomes a full-fledged conflict story, replete with
suspense and heroism. The covenant-renewal ceremony (chs. 89) is one of the grand
dramas in the Bible. The title character, Nehemiah, is such a commanding figure that
the overall story is also a hero story. But documentary material continually interrupts
the flow of the narrative, showing the historical impulse of the author. Since much of
the book is cast in first-person narrative, the book also has the flavor of a memoir.
Outline
I. Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem to Rebuild Its Walls (1:1-2:20)
A. Nehemiah learns of Jerusalem's dilapidation (1:111)
B. Nehemiah gains permission to return and inspects Jerusalem's walls (2:116)
C. First signs of opposition (2:1720)
II. The Wall Is Built, Despite Difficulties (3:17:4)

A. The people work systematically on the walls (3:132)
B. Opposition intensifies, but the people continue watchfully (4:123)
C. Nehemiah deals with injustices in the community; Nehemiah's personal
contribution to the project (5:119)
D. A conspiracy against Nehemiah, but the wall is finished (6:17:4)
E. A record of those who returned from exile (7:573)
III. The Reading of the Law, and Covenant Renewal (8:1-10:39)
A. The law is read (8:18)
B. The people are to be joyful (8:912)
C. The people keep the Feast of Booths (8:1318)
D. A prayer of confession, penitence, and covenant commitment (9:138)
E. Signatories and specific commitments (10:139)
IV. The Population of Jerusalem and the Villages; Priests and Levites (11:112:43)
A. Those who lived in Jerusalem and the villages of Judah (11:136)
B. High priests and leading Levites since the time of Zerubbabel (12:126)
C. Dedication of the walls (12:2743)
V. Nehemiah Deals with Problems in the Community (12:4413:31)
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A. The administration of offerings for the temple (12:4447)

B. Ejection of Tobiah the Ammonite from the temple (13:19)
C. Dealing with neglect of the offerings (13:1014)
D. Dealing with Sabbath breaking (13:1522)
E. The problem of intermarriage again (13:2329)
F. Summary of Nehemiah's temple reforms (13:3031)
Map of Jerusalem during Nehemiahs Time
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INTRODUCTORY QUOTATIONS
I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.

-- Nehemiah 6:3
I am afraid that our prayers are often clouds, and we get mists for answers. Nehemiah's
prayer meant business. I wish we could always pray in this way Plead the promise,
believe it, receive the blessing. God is ready to give, and go about your business. The
prayer of Nehemiah and his companions meant business.
-- Henry C. Spear
To see a need and take it as your own,

To lose yourself in some heroic task,
Is placing love upon the motive throne,
By giving help before the needy ask.
To turn deaf ears on ridicule and jest,
Be unafraid at threats of violence,
Gives victory to efforts of the best,
Assures the aid of righteous Providence.
To stay aloft at tasks of service great,
And not come down to parley with the crowd,
To be above self-seeking forms of hate,
Will line with silver every threatning cloud.
Devotion of a builder building high,
Will cause the things of low estate to die.
-- C.H. Spurgeon
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THE TEXT OF
NEHEMIAH
&
COMMENTARY
IN THE
ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION
Taken from the ESV Study Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version),
copyright 2008 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 1
Report from Jerusalem
1
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the
capital, 2that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked
them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning
Jerusalem. 3And they said to me, The remnant there in the province who had survived the
exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are
destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah's Prayer
4
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I
continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5And I said, O LORD God of
heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who
love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to
hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of
Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned
against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7We have acted very corruptly
against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you
commanded your servant Moses. 8Remember the word that you commanded your servant
Moses, saying, If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9but if you return
to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost
parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have
chosen, to make my name dwell there. 10They are your servants and your people, whom you
have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be
attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to
fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of
this man.
Now I was cupbearer to the king.
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 2
Nehemiah Sent to Judah
1
In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was
before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his
presence. 2And the king said to me, Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is
nothing but sadness of the heart. Then I was very much afraid. 3I said to the king, Let the
king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers'
graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? 4Then the king said to me,
What are you requesting? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said to the king, If it
pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to
Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it. 6And the king said to me (the
queen sitting beside him), How long will you be gone, and when will you return? So it
pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7And I said to the king, If it
pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River,
that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8and a letter to Asaph, the keeper
of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress
of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy. And the
king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls
9
Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the
king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10But when
Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them
greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
11
So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12Then I arose in the night, I and a
few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.
There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13I went out by night by the Valley
Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that
were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14Then I went on to the
Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under
me to pass. 15Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned
back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16And the officials did not know where
I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the
officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
17
Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with
its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer
derision. 18And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also
of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So
they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and
Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and
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despised us and said, What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the
king? 20Then I replied to them, The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his
servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.
TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 3
Rebuilding the Wall
1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the
Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of
the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2And next to him the men of Jericho built. And
next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
3
The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its
bolts, and its bars. 4And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired.
And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to
them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their
nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.
6
Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of
Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 7And next to them
repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of
Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8Next to them Uzziel the
son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired,
and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur,
ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. 10Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph
repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired.
11
Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section
and the Tower of the Ovens. 12Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the
district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.
13
Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and
set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the
Dung Gate.
14
Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the
Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
15
And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the
Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he
built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king's garden, as far as the stairs that go down
from the city of David. 16After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of
Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as
far as the house of the mighty men. 17After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani.
Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 18After him
their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19Next
to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent
to the armory at the buttress. 20After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section
from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21After him Meremoth
the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of
Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22After him the priests, the men of the
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surrounding area, repaired. 23After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their
house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own
house. 24After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of
Azariah to the buttress 25and to the corner. Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the
buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard.
After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a
point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27After him the Tekoites
repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.
28
Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29After
them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son
of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30After him Hananiah the son of
Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam
the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31After him Malchijah, one of the
goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants,
opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32And between the upper
chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.
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COMMENTARY OF NEHEMIAH 1 3
Neh. 1:1 The twentieth year is that of
Artaxerxes' reign, 445 b.c., 13 years after
Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem (see Ezra 7:7).
Chislev is the ninth month
(November/December), in the winter (see
Ezra 10:9).
Neh. 1:2-3 The report about the wall of
Jerusalem might mean that the wall had
never been successfully rebuilt since the
first return of exiles, or that an attempt to
rebuild it had been thwarted, perhaps by
command of the reigning king, Artaxerxes
(see note on Ezra 4:20).
Neh. 1:5 O Lord God of Heaven. This
combination of names means that the God
of Israel (Ex. 3:1315) is the only God. He
keeps the covenant and steadfast love
with those who love him and keep his
commandments. Steadfast love is the
quality of God's faithfulness to Israel in his
covenant with them. Such covenant
faithfulness requires Israel's love in return
(see also Deut. 6:5). This love also
includes faithfulness, and is made evident
in keeping God's law as given to Moses;
obedience is the proper response to God's
love, not the precondition of it.
Neh. 1:6 Nehemiah's prayer raises the
question of who is the real Lord of Israel.
Neh. 1:11 Nehemiah knows that God can
move powerful people to act in ways that
accord with his own plans, and in favor of
his people (see Ezra 6:22). But he may
also know that Artaxerxes has already
decreed that work on rebuilding Jerusalem
should stop (see note on Neh. 1:23; see
also Ezra 4:23). Therefore, Nehemiah's
petition may bring danger to him. The
position of cupbearer to the king was a
high office and involved regular access to
the king.
Neh 2:1 The date, Nisan, in the twentieth
year (i.e., March/April of 445 b.c.), is
surprising because Nisan is the first
month, and yet the earlier events of Ch.
1 took place in Chislev, the ninth month
(December). Of various proposed
solutions, the best is perhaps that the
author counts the years of Artaxerxes'

reign from the actual month of his
accession (which is not precisely known),
so that his twentieth year might span
two calendar years (446445 b.c.). In that
case, this incident in the month of Nisan
would be four
months after the news about Jerusalem
came to Nehemiah.
Neh. 2:7-8 Nehemiah, emboldened, now
asks for specific authority to show letters
to the governors of the province Beyond
the River, who no doubt included the very
people who had previously persuaded
Artaxerxes to halt the rebuilding of the city
(Ezra 4:79). He goes further, however,
requesting timber from the king's
forest for specific projects. The location of
this forest is unknown.
Neh. 2:10 Sanballat the Horonite is known
from other sources to have been governor
of Samaria at a later time, and may be so
already. His Babylonian name does not
necessarily mean that he was Babylonian;
he probably came from Upper or Lower
Beth-horon near Jerusalem. Tobiah is a
Jewish name, yet as an Ammonite he
belongs to a people that was one of
Israel's historic enemies (2 Sam. 10:111).
Neh. 2:13-15 Nehemiah surveys the walls
chiefly on the southern and eastern sides,
i.e., the so-called city of David and the
Kidron Valley. The Valley Gate was
probably on the southwestern side of the
city of David, and the Dung Gate, leading
to the city dump, at its southern tip.
The Dragon Spring, Fountain Gate,
and King's Pool are unidentified, but were
no doubt on the east where the Kidron
Valley's water sources were.
Neh. 3:1-2 It began and ended at
the Sheep Gate, on the northern side of
the city (Neh. 3:32; see map). The
direction of the work on the wall was
counterclockwise.
Neh. 3:4 Repaired. The work is sometimes
building and sometimes repairing,
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suggesting that the parts of the walls were

in various states of dilapidation.
Neh. 3:5 The Tekoites their nobles. The
leading people of Tekoa, not far south of
Jerusalem, may have resented Nehemiah's
leadership. The Hebrew translated their
Lord has the form of a plural, but the
plural form is often used to express
respect to a single master: for this
construction in relation to God, see 8:10;

10:29; cf. Deut. 10:17 (Lord of lords); Ps.
8:1; 135:5; 136:3; in relation to a man, see
Gen. 42:33; Judg. 3:25. In view of the use
in Nehemiah, this probably refers to God;
but perhaps the form, which could refer to
Nehemiah, is used to convey the notion
that one properly serves God by obeying
Nehemiah.
SESSION 1 NOTES
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BIBLE STUDY SESSION 1

NEHEMIAH 1-3
Study Questions
1
Why was Nehemiah so devastated by the news in Chapter 1? Why is it a

problem if the wall of a city is ruined?
How does Nehemiah respond to the tragedy in Chapters 1-2?
What do you notice about Nehemiahs encounter with the king? How does he
approach the king and what steps does he take before and during the
encounter?
Why doesnt Nehemiah share his plans with other people when he arrives in
Jerusalem in Chapter 2?
What does Nehemiah do to rally the people?
What is the first thing that happens as soon as Nehemiah and the people
decide to act? What do you notice about Nehemiahs response to his
enemies in 2:20?
What do you notice about the people working together in Chapter 3?
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Application Questions
1
Jerusalems walls were broken down and devastated by years of ruin and fire.
Are there broken walls at GCC that need to be rebuilt? What are they? (An
individual, group of people, a ministry, prayer, worship, etc.)
How do you usually respond to the problems in the church? How does your
response compare to Nehemiahs response? What can we learn from
Nehemiahs response to the tragedy?
What are some goals that God is giving GCC for the year 2011? These can be
goals or visions that you feel God has placed in your heart, or goals that you
have heard from other people in the church.
Nehemiah and the Israelites immediately faced opposition after they decided
to rebuild the walls. What is some opposition that GCC faces now or in the
future? How can we respond to them, according to what Nehemiah does in
the text?
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Cell Group Questions

1
The book of Nehemiah is about how Gods people rebuilt their citys walls.
Jerusalems walls were broken down and devastated by years of ruin and fire.
After about 140 years of ruin, Nehemiah returned to rebuild and strengthen
the citys walls. Why do you think it was it important for a city in ancient
times to have strong walls and several gates?
Are there broken walls at GCC that need to be rebuilt? What are they? (An
individual, group of people, a ministry, prayer, worship, etc.) How can your
cell group work together to respond to this problem in the church?
In Nehemiah, every Israelite, priest and peasant, woman and man, came
together to rebuild their wall. In 2011, if GCC wants to become a stronger
church, we need to be united like the Israelites in Nehemiah. In what ways do
you think our church is united? Not united?
How can your cell group help to build the unity of the Church? What are
some practical and real steps your cell group can take?
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GCC VISION: THE NEXT STEP

GROUP DISCUSSION NOTES
Page | 27
TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 4
Opposition to the Work
1
Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly
enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the
army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will
they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of
rubbish, and burned ones at that? 3Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, Yes,
what they are buildingif a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall! 4Hear, O
our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to
be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin
be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the
builders.
6
So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the
people had a mind to work.
7
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the
Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the
breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8And they all plotted together
to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9And we prayed to our God
and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
10
In Judah it was said, The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is
too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall. 11And our enemies
said, They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.
12
At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten
times, You must return to us. 13So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open
places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14
And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the
people, Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight
for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.
The Work Resumes

15
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their
plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16From that day on, half of my servants
worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the
leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17who were building on the wall. Those who
carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and
held his weapon with the other. 18And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side
while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19And I said to the nobles
and to the officials and to the rest of the people, The work is great and widely spread, and
we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20In the place where you hear the sound Page | 28
of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.
21
So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn
until the stars came out. 22I also said to the people at that time, Let every man and his
servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may
labor by day. 23So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who
followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.
TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 5
Nehemiah Stops Oppression of the Poor
1
Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish
brothers. 2For there were those who said, With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So
let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive. 3There were also those who said, We are
mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.
4
And there were those who said, We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields
and our vineyards. 5Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their
children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our
daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men
have our fields and our vineyards.
6
I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7I took counsel with
myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, You are
exacting interest, each from his brother. And I held a great assembly against them 8and
said to them, We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have
been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us! They
were silent and could not find a word to say. 9So I said, The thing that you are doing is not
good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our
enemies? 10Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and
grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11Return to them this very day their fields,
their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain,
wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them. 12Then they said, We will restore
these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say. And I called the priests and
made them swear to do as they had promised. 13I also shook out the fold of my garment and
said, So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not
keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied. And all the assembly said
Amen and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
Nehemiah's Generosity
14
Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of
Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve
years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15The former
governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for
their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I
did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we
acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17Moreover, there
were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the
nations that were around us. 18Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one
ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for
Page | 29
all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too
19
heavy on this people. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this
people.
TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 6
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
1
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies
heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that
time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying,
Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono. But they intended to do
me harm. 3And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work and I cannot
come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you? 4And they
sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5In the same
way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6In it
was written, It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the
Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports
you wish to become their king. 7And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning
you in Jerusalem, There is a king in Judah. And now the king will hear of these reports. So
now come and let us take counsel together. 8Then I sent to him, saying, No such things as
you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind. 9For they all
wanted to frighten us, thinking, Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be
done. But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
10
Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel,
who was confined to his home, he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within
the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are
coming to kill you by night. 11But I said, Should such a man as I run away? And what man
such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in. 12And I understood and saw that
God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and
Sanballat had hired him. 13For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in
this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14Remember
Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the
prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.
The Wall Is Finished
15
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly
in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help
of our God. 17Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and
Tobiah's letters came to them. 18For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he
was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the
daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 19Also they spoke of his good deeds
in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.
16
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 7
1
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the
singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the
governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing
man than many. 3And I said to them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun
is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint
guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in
front of their own homes. 4The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few,
and no houses had been rebuilt.
Lists of Returned Exiles
5
Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the
people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who
came up at the first, and I found written in it:
6
These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those
exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to
Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah,
Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.
The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9The sons
of Shephatiah, 372. 10The sons of Arah, 652. 11The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of
Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12The sons of Elam, 1,254. 13The sons of Zattu, 845. 14The sons of
Zaccai, 760. 15The sons of Binnui, 648. 16The sons of Bebai, 628. 17The sons of Azgad, 2,322.
18
The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20The sons of Adin, 655. 21The sons
of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22The sons of Hashum, 328. 23The sons of Bezai, 324. 24The
sons of Hariph, 112. 25The sons of Gibeon, 95. 26The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188.
27
The men of Anathoth, 128. 28The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29The men of Kiriath-jearim,
Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31The men of Michmas,
122. 32The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34The sons of the
other Elam, 1,254. 35The sons of Harim, 320. 36The sons of Jericho, 345. 37The sons of Lod,
Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38The sons of Senaah, 3,930.
39
The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40The sons of
Immer, 1,052. 41The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 42The sons of Harim, 1,017.
43
The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74.
44
The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of
Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138.
46
The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
47
the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48the sons of Lebana, the sons of
Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar,
50
the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51the sons of Gazzam, the sons
of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of
Nephushesim, 53the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54the sons of
Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the
sons of Temah, 56the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
57
The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons
of Perida, 58the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59the sons of
Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.
60
All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
61
The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon,
and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they
belonged to Israel: 62the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63Also,
of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken
a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64These
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sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found
there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65The governor told them that
they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should
arise.
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attack; God often accomplishes his

purposes through ordinary human means.
Neh. 4:12 Sanballat. See 2:910. (The

name of a later Sanballat appears on a
4th-century-b.c. papyrus from Wadi edhDhaliyeh, where fragmentary scrolls were
found in a cave in the highlands near
Samaria. In one of these scrolls a certain
Sanballat administers the country.)
Sanballat was angry and greatly
enraged because of the challenge to his
authority. he jeered (4:1). He is clearly
worried by the Jews' action, but expresses
it in mockery, no doubt to encourage his
brothers (or allies) to join him in resisting.
The army of Samaria. It is not clear
whether Sanballat really had the authority
to command an army. Will they restore it
for themselves? Ironically, the answer to
this and Sanballat's subsequent mocking
questions will be yes.
Neh. 4:23 My servants. Nehemiah's

immediate associates (see v. 16). In not
taking off their clothes,
Neh. 4:123 Opposition intensifies, but the

people continue watchfully. While the
building continues, Sanballat and his allies
resort to direct action in order to stop it,
but their plot is foiled.
Neh. 4:45 The motive is not mere
revenge but rather the honor of God, who
is the real object of the enemies' insults
and whose purposes they do not
understand.
Neh. 4:6 One aspect of God's blessing on
this project was that he gave the people a
deep desire to do the work, and he
sustained that desire throughout the time
that the wall was being built.
Neh. 4:14 Do not be afraid is both a
command and an exhortation, rooted in
the call to believe that God can overcome
his enemies (see also Deut. 1:21, 29; Josh.
1:9), as he has in the past (in the exodus
from Egypt and the capture of Canaan).
Neh. 4:17 Each labored on the work with
one hand and held his weapon with the
other. Though Nehemiah and the people
prayed and trusted God for protection
(seevv. 4, 9, 14, 20), they also kept their
weapons close at hand (see vv. 16, 18,
23), ready to defend themselves from
they remained prepared for engagement

with the enemy, if need be.
Neh. 5:1 Nehemiah's story of the
restoration is not triumphalistic, for it tells
of serious shortcomings in the
community. Great outcry. This is typical
language of protest under oppression
(see Ex. 2:23). The people are the rank
and file of the Jews. And of their
wives adds to the picture of families made
desperate by hunger. Jewish brothers
shows the strong bond among all
Israelites, such that, by Mosaic law, none
should permanently enslave or exploit
another (see Deut. 15:118).
Neh. 5:5 Our flesh our brothers. The
complaint emphasizes the close
relationship among Israelites (see note
on v. 1). Forcing our sons and our
daughters to be slaves. Temporary debtslavery (but not permanent chattelslavery) was permitted in Mosaic law
among Israelites, and was often the only
way a debt could be paid, either after six
years (Deut. 15:12) or at the Year of
Jubilee (Lev. 25:3940). But even this
practice might hit families hard in the
current situation; there is also a
suggestion that those taken into debtslavery are not being treated properly.
Neh. 5:7 Oppression of the weak by the
strong had been one of the reasons for
God's anger that had brought about the
exile (see Isa. 5:7, 810; Amos 2:68).
Neh. 5:8 Our Jewish brothers. See vv. 1, 5.
Nehemiah stresses this kinship in order to
drive home the people's neglect of this
great principle underlying the law.
Neh. 5:13 Shook out the fold. A symbolic
action matching the words of the curse
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that follow. So may God shake out. This

type of curse-formula was a solemn,
conventional way of compelling
commitment to a course of action. By
saying Amen, the whole assembly took
upon itself the terms of Nehemiah's curse.
This is an act that symbolizes the curse
being upon that particular city or person.
In Acts 13:51 and Matt. 10:14, this act is
being mentioned by the disciples doing
this against the cities that are wicked and
disobedient.
Neh. 5:15 Fear of God. Nehemiah might
mean that he respects God's law requiring
all Jews to regard themselves as
brothers (see vv. 1, 5, 8).
Neh. 5:16 I also persevered. Nehemiah
has put himself on a par with his fellow
Jews, laboring with them and not using his
position for gain.
Neh. 5:19 Remember. See note on 1:89.
This is the first of Nehemiah's prayers for
God to remember: asking God to
remember Nehemiah and his deeds,
cf. 13:14, 22, 31; and to remember his
opponents, cf. 6:14; 13:29. These prayers
reflect the awareness that a merely
human judgment might not achieve full
justice. Nehemiah's deeds demonstrate
his sincere faith, while the schemes of the
opponents demonstrate their opposition to
the well-being of God's people.
Neh. 6:3 I am doing a great work and I
cannot come down. Nehemiah would not
divert time and effort from the Lord's work
for discussions with his enemies that he
knew would be fruitless at best and
probably dangerous to him as well.
Neh. 6:9 They all wanted to frighten us.
Nehemiah sees the real intention of
Sanballat's maneuvering and expresses
the issue at stake: the work cannot be
prevented by the schemes of enemies
that had been settled from the start,
because the favor of the king himself had
been secured by God's providence.
Nehemiah acknowledges this fact by
another prayer interjected into his
narrative (see 2:4; 4:45; cf. note on 5:19).
Neh. 6:12 God had not sent him.

Shemaiah was pretending to speak with
prophetic authority, but Nehemiah sees
that his prophecy was false.
Neh. 6:13 To be afraid would be in this
case the opposite of having faith, and
hence sin (see Deut. 1:2833, also notes
on Ezra 3:3;Neh. 4:14). This sort of
unbelief would enable his enemies to
taunt Nehemiah (see 5:9) and thus
undermine his authority. We must be
careful of false prophecy vs. Godly driven
prophecy. There are many people even
today who speak on behalf of God, but yet
are counter to Gods words. That is why
we must be sensitive to Gods spirit and
have knowledge of His word by reading
the Scripture.
Neh. 6:14 Nehemiah thinks again of
prayer, calling on God to remember those
who had tried to turn him (and therefore
also his fellow Jews) from faith (cf. Matt.
18:6). This remember is typical of
Nehemiah's prayers (Neh. 1:8; see note
on 5:19), which always seek God's justice,
whether for blessing or for judgment.
Neh. 6:1516 Elul was the sixth month
(AugustSeptember), so it has been less
than six months since Nehemiah spoke to
the king. No doubt the speed of the
building work itself contributed to the fear
now felt by the enemies. Those enemies
among the nations around us surely
include Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem,
and their peoples (see 4:7). They
perceived that this work had been
accomplished with the help of our God. If
God had helped the people of Judah so
remarkably in this way, the nations feared
Page | 34
that this same God would turn Judah into a
powerful nation that would be a threat to
them.
Neh. 7:1 Yet the guarding of the city was
ultimately related to establishing the
worship of Yahweh in his temple. We see
here that the building of the walls of
Jerusalem is indirectly related to restoring
worship unto God.
Neh. 7:5 My God put it into my heart.

Cf.2:12. Nehemiah maintains a close
relationship with God, as evidenced by his
frequent prayers and his clear convictions
about God's guidance. He now decides to
make a census of the people, and is
helped by the discovery of the book of the
genealogy of the first returnees. It is

important to note that even after the
building of the wall is completed, he
depends on the Lord for every decision
that he makes. He is in tune with the Spirit
and obedience of God.
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SESSION 2 NOTES
Page | 36

NEHEMIAH 4-7
Study Questions
1
What does it mean in 4:6 when it says the people had a mind to work?
What finally encourages the workers in Chapter 4 to return to their work?
What do the Israelites do in Chapter 4 to fight off the opposition?
Why is chapter 5 the oppression of the poor in the middle of the action?
Why does this interrupt the story of rebuilding the wall?
How does Nehemiah fight against the oppression of the poor? How does he
stop himself from becoming part of the oppression?
In Chapter 6, how does Nehemiah escape Shemaiahs trap?
The fear of God is an important trait in Nehemiah. He chooses servants that

are God-fearing (5:9, 7:2) and he fears God (5:15, 6:12). What does it mean
to fear God? How does fearing God compare to fearing other things?
What is the significance of the long list of people in chapter 7?
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1
When the Israelites faced opposition from outside in Chapter 4, some people
responded positively and some responded negatively (4:10). Compare the
way these two groups of people responded. How did they differ? In a careful
assessment of yourself, where would you be placed now and where do you
want to be?
In Nehemiah, the poor were overlooked because they were at the lowest rung
of society. Are there any overlooked people or internal problems that you
see at GCC? What are some practical steps that you can take to respond to
this?
When the Israelites built the wall, everyone had a role. They either defended
the people or built the wall. As we strengthen our church this year, what are
the different roles that people can take to help? What is your role or what
role would you like to play?
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1
In Nehemiah 6:2-3, when Nehemiahs enemies try to stop Nehemiah from

building the wall, Nehemiah tells them, I am doing a great work and I cannot
come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to
you? What is the great work that God has called you to in your life (at
church, home, work, etc.)?
What did Nehemiah do to make sure that he was not sidetracked by

hindrances in chapters 4-7? How can you make sure that your vision stays
clear and focused?
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 8
Ezra Reads the Law
1
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And
they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had
commanded Israel. 2So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and
women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh
month. 3And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning
until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand.
And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4And Ezra the scribe
stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood
Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah,
Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
5
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people,
and as he opened it all the people stood. 6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all
the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and
worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin,
Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites,
helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8They
read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the
people understood the reading.
This Day Is Holy
9
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the
Levites who taught the people said to all the people, This day is holy to the LORD your God;
do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10Then
he said to them, Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone
who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of
the LORD is your strength. 11So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, Be quiet, for this
day is holy; do not be grieved. 12And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to
send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that
were declared to them.
Feast of Booths Celebrated
13On the second day the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests
and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.
14And they found it written in the Law that the LORD had commanded by Moses that the
people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15and that
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they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, Go out to the hills
and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths,
as it is written. 16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for
themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and
in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17And all the
assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths,
for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so.
And there was very great rejoicing. 19And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he
read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth
day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 9
The People of Israel Confess Their Sin
1
Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled
with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. 2And the Israelites separated
themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their
fathers. 3And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD
their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and
worshiped the LORD their God. 4On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel,
Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the
LORD their God. 5Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah,
Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to
everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
6
You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with
all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you
preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. 7You are the LORD, the God who
chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.
8
You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his
offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and
the Girgashite. And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous.
9
And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea,
10
and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people
of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a
name for yourself, as it is to this day. 11And you divided the sea before them, so that they
went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths,
as a stone into mighty waters. 12By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar
of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go. 13You came down on
Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws,
good statutes and commandments, 14and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and
commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15You
gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock
for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give
them.
16
But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did
not obey your commandments. 17They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders
that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to
return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. 18Even when they
had made for themselves a golden calf and said, This is your God who brought you up out of
Egypt, and had committed great blasphemies, 19you in your great mercies did not forsake
them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them Page | 42
by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. 20You
gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth
and gave them water for their thirst. 21Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and
they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
22
And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So
they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan.
23
You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land
that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. 24So the descendants went in and
possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the
Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that
they might do with them as they would. 25And they captured fortified cities and a rich land,
and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive
orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and
delighted themselves in your great goodness.
26
Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law
behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back
to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27Therefore you gave them into the hand of
their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you
and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them
saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. 28But after they had rest they did
evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they
had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven,
and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. 29And you warned them in
order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your
commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by
them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.
30
Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet
they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31
Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for
you are a gracious and merciful God.
32
Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps
covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon
us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people,
since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33Yet you have been righteous in all that
has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. 34Our kings, our
princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your
commandments and your warnings that you gave them. 35Even in their own kingdom, and
amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set
before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. 36Behold, we are slaves
this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold,
we are slaves. 37And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of
our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in
great distress.
38
Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document
are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 10
The People Who Sealed the Covenant
1
"On the seals are the names of Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah,
Zedekiah, 2Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4Hattush, Shebaniah,
Malluch, 5Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,7Meshullam, Abijah,
Mijamin, 8Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these are the priests. 9And the Levites: Jeshua the son
of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 10and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah,
Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13Hodiah,
Bani, Beninu. 14The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15Bunni,
Azgad, Bebai, 16Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18Hodiah, Hashum,
Bezai, 19Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, 20Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21Meshezabel, Zadok,
Jaddua, 22Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24Hallohesh, Pilha,
Shobek, 25Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
The Obligations of the Covenant
28
"The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the
temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to
the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and
understanding, 29join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to
walk in Gods Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the
commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes. 30We will not give our
daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31And if the
peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy
from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year
and the exaction of every debt.
32
"We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for
the service of the house of our God: 33for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the
regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things,
and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our
God. 34We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have likewise cast lots for the wood
offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers houses, at times
appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the
Law. 35We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit
of every tree, year by year, to the house of the LORD; 36also to bring to the house of our
God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our
cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; 37and to
bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the
oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the
Page | 44
tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we
labor. 38And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive
the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to
the chambers of the storehouse. 39For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the
contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are,
as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect
the house of our God."
TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 11
The Leaders in Jerusalem
1
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots
to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in
the other towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in
Jerusalem.
3
These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the towns of Judah
everyone lived on his property in their towns: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple
servants, and the descendants of Solomons servants. 4And in Jerusalem lived certain of the
sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin. Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah,
son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the sons
of(I) Perez; 5and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah,
son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, son of the Shilonite. 6All the sons of Perez who lived in
Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.
7
And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of
Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, 8and his brothers,
men of valor, 928. 9Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah
was second over the city.
10
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, son of
Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, 12and
their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of
Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, 13and his brothers,
heads of fathers houses, 242; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of
Meshillemoth, son of Immer, 14and their brothers, mighty men of valor, 128; their overseer
was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.
15
And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah,
son of Bunni; 16and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the
outside work of the house of God; 17and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of
Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second
among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. 18All the
Levites in the holy city were 284.
19
The gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates,
were 172. 20And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of
Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and
Gishpa were over the temple servants.
22
The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of
Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of
God. 23For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision for
the singers, as every day required. 24And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of
Zerah the son of Judah, was at the kings side in all matters concerning the people.
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Villages Outside Jerusalem
25
And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba
and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, 26and in
Jeshua and in Moladah and Beth-pelet, 27in Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its villages, 28in
Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages, 29in En-rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30Zanoah, Adullam,
and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its villages. So they encamped from
Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. 31The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward,
at Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, 32Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33Hazor, Ramah,
Gittaim, 34Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
divisions of the Levites in Judah were assigned to Benjamin.
36
And certain
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 12
Priests and Levites
1
These are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of
Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3Shecaniah,
Rehum, Meremoth, 4Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, 5Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,6Shemaiah, Joiarib,
Jedaiah, 7Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their
brothers in the days of Jeshua.
8
And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with
his brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. 9And Bakbukiah and Unni and their
brothers stood opposite them in the service. 10And Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim
the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, 11Joiada the father of Jonathan, and
Jonathan the father of Jaddua.
12
And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers houses: of Seraiah,
Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14of Malluchi,
Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16of Iddo, Zechariah; of
Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; 18of Bilgah,
Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20of Sallai, Kallai;
of Amok, Eber; 21of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
22
In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the Levites were recorded as
heads of fathers houses; so too were the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian. 23As for
the sons of Levi, their heads of fathers houses were written in the Book of the Chronicles
until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. 24And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah,
Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers who stood opposite them, to
praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, watch
by watch. 25Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were
gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates. 26These were in the days of
Joiakim the son of Jeshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of
Ezra, the priest and scribe.
Dedication of the Wall
27
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their
places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with
thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28And the sons of the singers
gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the
Netophathites; 29also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the
singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30And the priests and the Levites
purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.
31
Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs Page | 47
that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall to the Dung Gate. 32And after them went
Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34Judah, Benjamin,
Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35and certain of the priests sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son
of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of
Asaph; 36and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and
Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went
before them. 37At the Fountain Gate they went up straight before them by the stairs of the
city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, to the Water Gate on the
east.
38
The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them
with half of the people, on the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens, to the Broad Wall, 39and
above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Gate of Yeshanah, and by the Fish Gate and the Tower
of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate; and they came to a halt at the
Gate of the Guard. 40So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and
I and half of the officials with me; 41and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah,
Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi,
Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their
leader. 43And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them
rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was
heard far away.
Service at the Temple
44
On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits,
and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for
the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the
Levites who ministered. 45And they performed the service of their God and the service of
purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and
his son Solomon. 46For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the
singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47And all Israel in the days
of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the
gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that
which was for the sons of Aaron.
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TEXT OF NEHEMIAH 13
Nehemiahs Final Reforms
1
On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it
was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, 2for
they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them
to curse themyet our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3As soon as the people heard
the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent.
4
Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the
house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, 5prepared for Tobiah a large chamber
where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the
tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and
gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. 6While this was taking place, I was not in
Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And
after some time I asked leave of the king 7and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the
evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house
of God.8And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the
chamber. 9Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the
vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
10
I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that
the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field. 11So I confronted the
officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set
them in their stations. 12Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the
storehouses. 13And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest,
Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur,
son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to their
brothers. 14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds
that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.
15
In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and
bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all
kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on
the day when they sold food. 16Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds
of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! 17 Then I
confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are
doing, profaning the Sabbath day? 18Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God
bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by
profaning the Sabbath."
19
As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I
commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened
until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might
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be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares
21
lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. But I warned them and said to them, "Why do you
lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they
did not come on the Sabbath. 22Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify
themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this
also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.
23
In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and
24
Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak
the language of Judah, but only the language of each people.25And I confronted them and
cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in
the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their
daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of
such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by
his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even
him to sin. 27Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously
against our God by marrying foreign women?"
28
And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-inlaw of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me. 29Remember them, O my
God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and
the Levites.
30
Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the
priests and Levites, each in his work;31and I provided for the wood offering at appointed
times, and for the firstfruits.
Remember me, O my God, for good.
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Neh. 8:2 All who could understand.
Understanding is a key theme in this
chapter, since it was vital that all should
be able to know and learn God's ways as
revealed to Israel. The reading and
teaching of the law may have been
neglected in the generations since the first
return from Babylon.
Neh. 8:5 Opened the book. The act of
reading, in this carefully organized setting,
is also a corporate act of worship. Reading
the Bible together is a corporate act of
worship; let us not neglect this fact.
Neh. 8:912 The people are to be joyful.
Though sorrow for sin was a positive
response, joy at renewed relationship with
God was the teaching's ultimate purpose.
Neh. 8:1318 The people keep the Feast of
Booths. This family-oriented festival
highlighted God's protection of Israel in
the desert before the conquest.
Neh. 8:15 The people kept this feast by
living in temporary dwellings made from
branches to commemorate how they had
lived in booths in the wilderness after God
had brought them out of Egypt (Lev.
23:43).
Neh. 8:17 From the days of Jeshua the son
of Nun. Jeshua is another form of
Joshua. Had not done so. Although the
Feast of Booths had been celebrated on
occasion (cf.1 Kings 8:65; 2 Chron.
7:9; Ezra 3:4), it had apparently not been
celebrated in this way (with such
overwhelming joy, or in such unsettled
conditions, or with all the people
participating).
Neh. 8:18 Seven days. See Lev. 23:34. For
the reading of the law at the Feast of
Booths (every seven years), see Deut.
31:1011.
Neh. 9:2 Integrity of the community.
Neh. 9:637 The prayer resembles in part

Ezra's prayer of confession upon his
discovery of the problem of mixed
marriages (Ezra 9:615). It has even more
in common with certain psalms of
confession (such as Psalm 78; 105106),
which
interweave confession with memories of

God's grace,
and notes of petition. The prayer follows
the biblical story as told in GenesisKings.
Neh. 9:38 To mend the situation, the
people will now enter a solemn covenant.
The word used is not the usual word for
covenant, which is berit, but a rarer one
that emphasizes faithfulness; the people
pledge to keep faithfully what they now
undertake.
Neh. 10:127 The long list of those who
put their names to the covenant is
designed to show that the entire
communitypriests, Levites, and lay
leaderswas wholeheartedly behind it.
These are prominent people in the
community; many of their names have
appeared before in Nehemiah (esp. in vv.
2027; see also ch. 3).
Neh. 10:29 A curse and an oath. The two
expressions convey together the people's
serious intention to keep their
commitment. The curse refers to some
terrible penalty, perhaps performed as a
ritual, that they accept as their due if they
fail (see 1 Kings 19:2; Jer.
34:18). Commandments rules
statutes. See note on Neh. 9:1314.
Neh. 10:31 The Sabbath commandment
(Ex. 20:811; Deut. 5:1215) was no doubt
important as a key marker of Israel's
identity compared with the surrounding
groups of people who did not acknowledge
Yahweh as their God. Trading with these
people on the Sabbath must have been a
temptation (seeNeh. 13:1622). Crops of
Page | 51
the seventh year. The Sabbath idea

extended to the seventh year, when the
normal work of cultivation was prohibited
(Lev. 25:27). One of the keys about
covenant keeping in a communal setting
was to keep the Sabbath as a community.
Neh. 12:2829 Families of Levitical singers
had settled in villages around Jerusalem to
be near the place of their work. The
Netophathites were from Netophah, near
Bethlehem. Beth-gilgal is presumably the
same as Gilgal, near Jericho (see Josh.
4:19). Geba and Azmaveth were to the
north of Jerusalem. I see some correlation
here as Levitical singers and workers who
relocated to live around the place of their
work, which is in modern days, church
planters who lived near their
communities. I might be stretching this a
little, but I think its important to
emphasize the concept of sacrifice in
order for us to build and fortify our church

communities.
Neh. 13:1014 Dealing with neglect of the
offerings. The incident in the temple was
not isolated, for the provision for the
clergy had effectively lapsed, and as a
result the worship itself had suffered
because the clergy had to leave
Jerusalem, which was disastrous for the
community. Contrast the commitments
made by the people in 10:3239.
Nehemiah once again puts the
administration of the offerings on a firm
footing, so that the restored community
can actually live out its covenant privilege.
Church is not all good and dandy.
Sometimes we need to confront the real
issues that are faced as a result of sin.
Here, Nehemiah doesnt shy away from
the problems nor give in to the situation
that is going on, but instead he faces it
head on.
Page | 52

NEHEMIAH 8-13
Study Questions
1
What is significant about the order of activities in Chapters 8 and 9? Why are
the activities done in this order?
What is the function of the Law here with regards to spirituality and with
regards to the community?
What significance does the Law of Moses have in this community and in an
Israelites spirituality?
4
Nehemiah oversaw the building of the wall in 52 days but stayed 12 more
years. Why?
5
Read Nehemiah 8:9-12. What does it mean to have the joy of the Lord as our
strength?
Notice the change in perspective and point of view. When does it change
(from first to third point of view or vice versa) and why?
Notice the last verse of the book. What are your thoughts on this ending?
Page | 53
How is Nehemiah different from other books in the Bible?
1
In Nehemiah 8, the people of God gathered as a united body to listen to the

word of God. They showed such respect for the Word that they automatically
stood, without any prompting, as the book was opened in their sight. They
stood for hours in the hot, Middle Eastern sun as the whole Torah (their Bible)
was read. How does this compare to our reverence for the Word? How do
you revere the Word in your daily life? How does the Word inform your
actions as an individual and as a group?
Throughout the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah asked God to remember many

things. In 1:8, Nehemiah asked God to remember the word He gave to
Moses; in 5:19, Nehemiah asked God to remember him for his good work; in
13:29, he asked God to remember the people who desecrated the priesthood;
and in the final verse, he asked God to remember him for good. Why does
Nehemiah ask God to remember all the time? Why is Nehemiah so
concerned about having God remember certain people/events/things?
In Nehemiah 10-13, there is a constant struggle to keep the house of God

pure. What things threaten the purity of our church, GCC? What things
threaten the purity of your heart? How can we guard our church and our
hearts?
How has your study of Nehemiah influenced the way you see your walk with
God and the
community of GCC?
What next steps can we take in order to pursue our churchs vision after this
Bible study is over?
Page | 54
Page | 55

1
Read Nehemiah 8:1-8. In Nehemiah 8, the people of God gathered as a

united body to listen to the word of God. They showed such respect for the
Word that they automatically stood, without any prompting, as the book was
opened in their sight. They stood for hours in the hot Middle Eastern sun as
the whole Torah (their Bible) was read. How does this compare to our
reverence for the Word? How do you revere the Word in your daily life? How
does the Word inform your actions as an individual and as a group? What are
some steps you can take as a cell group to revere the Word of God?
Nehemiah oversaw the building of the wall in 52 days but stayed 12 more
years to keep vigilant watch over the city. Even so, when he left for a short
time, people started to forget the Lord. How can we, as a church, keep
vigilant watch over one another? How can we keep each other accountable
in a real, practical, and life-changing way?
How has your study of Nehemiah influenced the way you see your walk with
God and the community of GCC?
Page | 56

Page | 57
APPENDICES
List of Appendices
Appendix A Contact information
Appendix B Bibliography
Appendix C Additional resources
Page | 58
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about logistical issues or content in the Bible study materials,
please contact the Bible study facilitator(s) at your site.
For questions about theological content, please contact any of the pastoral
interns or Pastor Jae Park.
Bible Study Facilitators
Bergen County: Pastor Brian Na, Sora Kim
Cherry Hill: Pastor Brian Na
South Brunswick: Sora Kim
Pastoral Staf
Pastor Jae Park
jae.gcc@gmail.com
Pastor Jee Park
jeepark17@hotmail.com
Pastor Brian Na
brianhna@gmail.com
Pastor Jason Chang
jasonchang2002@gmail.com
Pastor Jeff Chang
jkc130@gmail.com
Sam Yu
iamthesam@gmail.com
Sora Kim
sora.is@gmail.com
Page | 59
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lane, D. (ex. ed.) (2008). ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. Illinois:
Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Maus, C. (1954). The Old Testament and the Fine Arts. New York: Harper &
Brothers.
Spurgeon, C. (1892). The two guards, praying and watching: Sermon
No.2254. Retrieved November 28, 2010 from
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/2254.htm.
Page | 60
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Websites
The Chronology of Nehemiah
- http://www.esvonline.org/resources/chart-16-01/
Timeline of Exile
- http://www.esvonline.org/resources/map-16-01/
- http://www.esvonline.org/resources/illustration-jerusalem-in-the-timeof-nehemiah/
http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/bible/timelines/570450%20BC.htm
http://contenderministries.org/middleeast/timeline.php
Map of Jerusalem during Nehemiah
- http://ldolphin.org/daniel/nehem.jpg
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GRACE COMMUNITY CHAPEL

EDUCATION MINISTRY | BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM 2011, NEHEMIAH

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BIBLE STUDY INTRODUCTION.....

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GCC vision retreat

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Preparing for Bible Study Sessions

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INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH

Purpose, Occasion, and Background

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The second wave of exiles return under the leadership of Ezra.

The third wave of Jews return to Jerusalem

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Year and Month

Hanani brings Nehemiah a report

Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes

Nehemiah arrives to inspect wall

People of Israel gather

People of Israel celebrate Feast

People of Israel fast and confess

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Nehemiah returns to Israel

History of Salvation Summary

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II. The Wall Is Built, Despite Difficulties (3:17:4)

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A. The administration of offerings for the temple (12:4447)

Map of Jerusalem during Nehemiahs Time

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I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.

To see a need and take it as your own,

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ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION

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The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

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author counts the years of Artaxerxes'

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suggesting that the parts of the walls were

construction in relation to God, see 8:10;

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BIBLE STUDY SESSION 1

Why was Nehemiah so devastated by the news in Chapter 1? Why is it a

How does Nehemiah respond to the tragedy in Chapters 1-2?

What does Nehemiah do to rally the people?

What do you notice about the people working together in Chapter 3?

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Cell Group Questions

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GCC VISION: THE NEXT STEP

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The Work Resumes