We pick up in Nehemiah 7 when the wall has finally been rebuilt, the gates put in, and guards assigned to their posts.
In chapter 7, Nehemiah writes of how many citizens had fled the city, during the attacks. He makes a compiled list of all the families and priests that lived in the city to call them back to begin rebuilding the homes inside the city walls. The governor of Jerusalem, Nehemiah, gives gold to help with rebuilding and many heads of their families give as well. Now, with people, finances and motivation, Jerusalem can start to be rebuilt.
In chapter 8, Ezra the priest begins reading the Books of Moses, starting on the first day of the seventh month and ending eight days later. It also writes about how many Levites and ones returning from exile make temporary houses out of olive branches. They make these houses near the main gate, where Ezra is reading the Law, as to not miss anything he says.
Chapter 9 is mainly a lengthy prayer to the Lord, explaining much of the past of the people of Jerusalem and asking for forgiveness on behalf of their ancestors and their people. The last few verses say that many agreed with this prayer and wished to make a binding agreement with the Lord and had many leaders and Levites seal this agreement.
-Alec
Friday, July 16, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Nehemiah 4-6
There is so much packed into this weeks devotional and I want you guys to read it and get out fo it what you can and post to share and glean for others.
Chapter 4 is about the opposition that Nehemiah and the Israelites faced during the reconstruction of the wall. It starts off with the ridicule they took from all the neighboring governors opposed to the reconstruction of the wall and their plot to attack and destroy all the Israelites and their work on the wall. The second half of the chapter is about the workers and how they were planning to defend themselves while working and how they would rely on God to pull them through.
Chapter 5 shows the humility and lack of greed on Nehemiah's part as he was doing all he could to help the Israelites in need. The officials and nobles who owned their land and charged them heavily for everything listened to Nehemiah and his wisdom and lifted the taxations and interest that they were charging the Israelites. Even when he became the governor he maintained his integrity and humility and did not take from the people because he knew it would be to hard on him. That is a great example of trying to bring justice to the people by not taking and giving plentifully.
Chapter 6 has even further threats and intimidation of Nehemiah about the rebuilding that failed and God had carried Nehemiah through the finishing of the walls and setting the doors in their place. Many of the surrounding territories were in fear because they realized it was finished because the God of heaven was with them. The wall and gates were completed in 52 days.....let me rephrase that; the completely demolished and burned walls of Jerusalem surrounding the ENTIRE city was rebuilt in 52 DAYS!!!11 What an incredible and powerful God we serve.
Please post with your responses and what you got from these chapters because I for sure would LOVE to learn something you got from this devotional and your point of view.
-Billium
Chapter 4 is about the opposition that Nehemiah and the Israelites faced during the reconstruction of the wall. It starts off with the ridicule they took from all the neighboring governors opposed to the reconstruction of the wall and their plot to attack and destroy all the Israelites and their work on the wall. The second half of the chapter is about the workers and how they were planning to defend themselves while working and how they would rely on God to pull them through.
Chapter 5 shows the humility and lack of greed on Nehemiah's part as he was doing all he could to help the Israelites in need. The officials and nobles who owned their land and charged them heavily for everything listened to Nehemiah and his wisdom and lifted the taxations and interest that they were charging the Israelites. Even when he became the governor he maintained his integrity and humility and did not take from the people because he knew it would be to hard on him. That is a great example of trying to bring justice to the people by not taking and giving plentifully.
Chapter 6 has even further threats and intimidation of Nehemiah about the rebuilding that failed and God had carried Nehemiah through the finishing of the walls and setting the doors in their place. Many of the surrounding territories were in fear because they realized it was finished because the God of heaven was with them. The wall and gates were completed in 52 days.....let me rephrase that; the completely demolished and burned walls of Jerusalem surrounding the ENTIRE city was rebuilt in 52 DAYS!!!11 What an incredible and powerful God we serve.
Please post with your responses and what you got from these chapters because I for sure would LOVE to learn something you got from this devotional and your point of view.
-Billium
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Nehemiah 1-3
As you may know, we have just wrapped up 1 Timothy. Which means, it's time for a new book! We have decided to go into the Old Testament with Nehemiah. We are going to be going through three chapters a week, so make sure that you are on top of that. Nehemiah was written in first person, which means it was written by Nehemiah himself. He wrote it from Jerusalem when he returned with the third group of exiles. He writes to tell us about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the faith that was rebuilt alongside the walls. He will face opposition and scrutiny from enemies. Knowing this, he still completes what God has called him to do, even though he was fearful of what might happen. While reading these first few chapters, I encourage you to look at the situations around you that you may be fearful of. What are you doing with this? Are you going after Gods calling regardless? Are you seeking His heart even when your in despair?
In chapter one, Nehemiah learns about the state that Jerusalem is in. His brother came to visit, and when Nehemiah asked how Jerusalem was, his brother told him things were not well and that the wall of Jerusalem had been torn down. Nehemiah wept for his people. In his despair, he looked to God and sought His counsel. Nehemiah he fasted and prayed for days asking Him to remember what God told Moses. He wanted nothing more than to rebuild the Wall that was gone. For that, he needed the King's favor.
Chapter two and three goes on to explain to us Nehemiah's actions. He was a cup bearer to King Artaxerxes's during his reign. While bringing the King wine, the King asked him why he was so sad looking. He explained what had happened and the King gave him permission to go help rebuild the cities walls. When Nehemiah entered, he spoke to the city officials and Jewish leaders. He told them of the trouble and told them what God had said. They replied instantly saying to rebuild the wall. In Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah receives some opposition, but quickly replies telling them that God will help them succeed. This is proven when high priests began rebuilding and dedicating the gates and walls.
-Bridget
In chapter one, Nehemiah learns about the state that Jerusalem is in. His brother came to visit, and when Nehemiah asked how Jerusalem was, his brother told him things were not well and that the wall of Jerusalem had been torn down. Nehemiah wept for his people. In his despair, he looked to God and sought His counsel. Nehemiah he fasted and prayed for days asking Him to remember what God told Moses. He wanted nothing more than to rebuild the Wall that was gone. For that, he needed the King's favor.
Chapter two and three goes on to explain to us Nehemiah's actions. He was a cup bearer to King Artaxerxes's during his reign. While bringing the King wine, the King asked him why he was so sad looking. He explained what had happened and the King gave him permission to go help rebuild the cities walls. When Nehemiah entered, he spoke to the city officials and Jewish leaders. He told them of the trouble and told them what God had said. They replied instantly saying to rebuild the wall. In Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah receives some opposition, but quickly replies telling them that God will help them succeed. This is proven when high priests began rebuilding and dedicating the gates and walls.
-Bridget
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