Remain Faithful

O. T. #1079  "Remain Faithful"
Oct.12, 2017
Summary of Nehemiah

LET IT GLOW

In review of the history of the Jews up to this point in time, they had been taken in captivity for 70 years in Babylon/Persia. Zerubbabel was allowed to take the first group, being 46,697 Jews, to Jerusalem to resettle and rebuild the Temple in 515 B.C. The journey took 4 months to travel 900 miles. King Cyrus gave them the captured Temple vessels, including those made of  silver and gold to be returned to their right place. Zerubbabel was appointed the first governor and Jeshua the first priest in the new community. Adversaries had cause the reconstruction of the Temple to stop for 14 years, but it was eventually completed.

During the next 57 years, the Jews slipped away from the Lord. Then Ezra took the second group of 1,754 Jews to Jerusalem. His mission was to teach God's Law, stir revival and reformation, and renew Temple worship, which was accomplished. King Darius supported this effort.

There was a gap of 12 before Nehemiah led the third group of Jews back to Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes supported them, making Nehemiah governor. His purpose was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, which only took 52 days. Nehemiah remained there for 12 years before returning to Persia.

When Nehemiah heard about the terrible oppression and defeated spirits of the Jews, he was deeply grieved and spent days in prayer. Being a cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah was allowed to go on the journey. (An unknown number of Jews accompanied him.) His constant and wholehearted devotion to God is seen throughout this book. Also seen is God's faithfulness to His children as He guided, protected, and provided whatever was needed in each circumstance.

Have we experienced this same God working in our life?
Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.


LET IT GROW

As Nehemiah encouraged the Jews in their repairing and rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, he faced external opposition. Enemy leaders of surrounding lands were afraid the Jews would conquer them. They used ridicule, insults, mockery, conspiracy, and lies in the effort to discourage the builders.

Internal struggles came as the poor Jews did not have enough food for families while building, so they mortgaged fields and homes to buy food, and borrowed money to pay Persian taxes. Nehemiah led the Jews to restore their love for their neighbor families.

Through it all, the wall was completed. Jerusalem was safe from their enemies. Revival came to the people and the nation of Israel. Fear, discouragement, and selfishness were overcome. Guards were placed on the wall at the gates. The wall was dedicated. sons were sung. The Word was read. People prayed, recommitted to serving God, gave tithes, loved their neighbor. Yep, I'd call it a revival.

Then it happened, gradually, while Nehemiah returned to Persia to give his report to the king, for about 3 years. Jerusalem became a mess spiritually. When he returned, Nehemiah found the Jews were violating God's Laws. They intermarried with unbelievers, desecrated the Temple, ignore the tithe and Sabbath. We read this week of Nehemiah's strong arm of discipline and the reform of Jerusalem.

But this book ends on a good note, not like the sour beginning. Nehemiah held a purification service for the priests, reestablished the offerings, and prayed for God to remember and favor him. Here his last words recorded, found in Nehemiah 13:31b are Remember me, O my God, for good.

The purpose God had for Nehemiah's life was accomplished. This man of prayer was also a man of action, responsibility, vision, and compassion. Through it all he remained faithful to God and God remained faith to him.

LET IT GO

Remain faithful to God.
Serve Him with my life.