Nehemiah - Chapters 1-2

The Amazing Bible. Book Club

Nehemiah, who was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, received word that the exiles in Jerusalem and Judah were "in great trouble and disgrace," which caused Nehemiah to mourn, fast, and pray. The majority of chapter 1 is Nehemiah's prayer on the day that he was going to address the king with his request. His prayer was full of Scripture especially from the book of Deuteronomy, and he asked the Lord to remember His people and His steadfast covenantal love. Nehemiah repented of his sin, his father's sin, and the sins of his people. He also praised the Lord, God of heaven for his greatness and acts of strength and might. In chapter 2 verse 1 we find that Nehemiah prayed for around 4 months before he addressed the king, and the king could see that he was troubled, and he asked Nehemiah what was wrong, and then what was his request. Since the Persians held high esteem for their ancestors, Nehemiah address the king, not by saying Jerusalem, but by saying it was the city where his fathers were buried, and he asked to rebuild it. He then asked for papers to show he was sent by the king, and papers to receive wood from the keeper of the king's forest. The king granted his request, and off he went. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he waited for three days, then scoped out the wall situation at night before talking with the people. He then told them why he came, and how the Lord had provided, and the people immediately said, "Let's rebuild!" They started the work, and the opposition from outside of Jerusalem tried to stop them, but Nehemiah held his ground and said, "The God of heaven will give us success!"