Ralph Porter

© 2002

Author and date

    Much of the material gives evidence of authorship by Nehemiah himself.

          The primary evidence is the use of the first person throughout the account (1:1-7:5;

               2:27-43; 13:4-31).

          Other portions parallel Ezra's style, or documents he may have used for his accounts

               (7:6-12:26; 12:44-13:3).

          Many people believe Nehemiah wrote from his own experience and then compiled the

               second set of passages from other available documents.

    Ezra and Nehemiah were originally presented as one book.

         This union was probably based on their contemporaneous character and common

         message, rather than on a common author.

    The events of Nehemiah occur between 444 B.C., when Nehemiah prepared to lead the

         third expedition back to Jerusalem, and about 425 B.C., when he returned on a second

         mission.

    The book was probably written at about that time.

Background

    Nehemiah's story begins about 13 years following Ezra's return to Jerusalem.

         •    The people had been back in the land for about 92 years.

      •    The temple had been rebuilt.

         •    The people had experienced a spiritual revival in 458 B.C. under Ezra.

    Nehemiah 1:3 indicates recent damage may have been done to the walls of Jerusalem. 

    The report of the condition of the walls motivated Nehemiah to action.

    Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer, a trusted confidant.

          Artaxerxes was willing to permit reconstruction of the walls, knowing Nehemiah would

              be in control.

          The king named him governor and gave him authority to lead the physical and moral

               reconstruction.

          Therefore, he led the third group back in 444 B.C.

    His second journey may have been contemporary with the ministry of Malachi; they

         address many of the same problems.

Purpose and theme

    The most obvious historical purpose of Nehemiah is to describe the circumstances related to the third

         return to Jerusalem in 444 B.C.

    Events include the reconstruction of the walls which provide some security to the people,

         as well as political and moral reconstruction.

    It also demonstrates God's involvement in the restoration of His people.

         He controls history and even uses pagan kings to bring about His purposes.

         He brought His people back to the land to reestablish them.

    Before God's plan can be fully realized, they must recognize His holiness and live holy

         lives, separated from their pagan neighbors.

                   Blessing will come on the basis of their faith and obedience.

                   If they are disobedient, they will again be judged.

    Nehemiah describes the kind of leader God is able to use to accomplish His purposes.

         Nehemiah's character, and his activities as a leader, direct our attention to the characteristics

            God seeks and blesses in those who serve Him.

Application to our life today

    What do God's dealings with Israel teach us about what He wants from His people?

    What do we learn about godly leadership from observing Nehemiah's character and lifestyle?

    What difference should this study make in your life?

    What do you plan to do about it?

Ralph Porter

Author and date

    Two distinct types of material appear to have been compiled into Nehemiah.

         1)    Much of the material gives evidence of authorship by Nehemiah himself.

                        The primary evidence of his authorship is the use of the first person throughout

                        the account (1:1-7:5; 12:27-43; 13:4-31).

         2)    Other portions parallel Ezra's style, or that of documents he may have used to write

                    his accounts in other books (7:6-12:26; 12:44-13:3)

    The two types of materials have given birth to two main conservative opinions regarding

         the authorship of the book.

         1)    Many believe Nehemiah wrote the book from his own experience and then

                    compiled the second set of passages from other available documents, like those

                    Ezra used in other books.

         2)    Others think Ezra wrote the book, compiling available documents which included

                    Nehemiah's memoirs.

         Since Ezra's known style does not include first person references to other people, the

              first of these two views seems preferable.

         Ezra and Nehemiah were originally presented as one book.

              The identification of these two books originally was probably based on their

                   contemporaneous character and common message, rather than on a common

                   author.

    The events of Nehemiah occur between 444 B.C., when Nehemiah prepared to lead the

         third expedition back to Jerusalem, and about 425 B.C., when he returned on a second

         mission.

    The latter date of about 425 B.C. probably identifies the approximate year during which

         the book was written.

Background

    Nehemiah's story begins about 13 years following Ezra's return to Jerusalem.

         The people had been back in Jerusalem for about 92 years.

         The temple had been rebuilt.

         The people experienced spiritual revival in 458 B.C. under Ezra-13 years before.

    While much remains unknown about the events which occurred around those described

         in the biblical books of the period, Ezra 4:6-23 gives a basis to make some assumptions.

              It may be that near the beginning of Artaxerxes' reign (c. 464 B.C.), there was an

                   attempt to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem.

              While Xerxes took no action, Artaxerxes was persuaded to halt the rebuilding by this

                   people which had such a rebellious history.

              According to Ezra 4:21, he left open the possibility of changing his mind.

              Ezra's trip may have been commissioned to assure control over the Jewish people

                   living in the area.

               Nehemiah 1:3 indicates that some fairly recent damage may have been done to the

                   walls of Jerusalem.

              The report of the condition of the walls motivated Nehemiah to take action.

    Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer, which would have made him a trusted confidant of

         the king.

    Artaxerxes was willing to permit the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem, knowing

         that Nehemiah would be in control of events there.

    The king named him governor and gave him sufficient authority to enable him to bring

         the needed physical, as well as political and moral, reconstruction.

    Therefore, he led the third group to return to the land in 444 B.C.

    His second journey to Jerusalem may have been contemporary with the prophetic

         ministry of Malachi. They address many of the same problems in the land.

Purpose and theme

    The most obvious historical purpose of Nehemiah is to describe the circumstances related to the

        third return from captivity to Jerusalem in 444 B.C.

    The events of this return include the reconstruction of the city walls which provides

         security, as well as political and moral reconstruction.

    The book also demonstrates God's involvement in the restoration of His people.

         He controls history and is able to use even pagan kings to bring about His purposes.

         His plan is to bring the people back to the land and reestablish them there.

    Before God's plan for His people can be fully realized, they must recognize His holiness

         and live holy lives, separated from those of their pagan neighbors.

              Blessing will come on the basis of their faith and obedience.

              If they are disobedient, they will again be judged.

    The author uses the experience of Israel to emphasize this divine demand.

    A special feature of Nehemiah, which appears to be a deliberate purpose, is a description of

        the kind of leader God is able to use to accomplish His purposes.

    Glimpses given of Nehemiah as a man, and his activities as a leader, direct our attention

         to the characteristics God seeks and blesses in those who serve Him.

Organization

    The first portion of the book presents the physical reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem

         (1-7).

    The second part of the book deals with the spiritual reconstruction of the people in order

         that they might serve God in the city and receive His blessing (8-13).

Argument

PHYSICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF CITY   1-7

    PREPARATION FOR RECONSTRUCTION   1-2

               The story of the reconstruction of the city walls begins with a description of

                   preparatory events which made accomplishment of the goal possible.

        His province with its trouble   1:1-3

              The commission   1:1-2   A commission came to talk to him.

                   Nehemiah first discovered the problem when a delegation visited Susa from

                        Jerusalem.

              The condition   1:3

                   The men spent some time with Nehemiah and reported the condition of the walls of

                        Jerusalem.

        His prayer to the Lord   1:4-11a

                   Nehemiah couldn't bear to accept the situation without making an effort to change

                        it. So he presented his concern before the Lord.

              Grief   1:4

                   At first he just sat quietly expressing his grief.

              Worship   1:5

                   Finally, he spoke; his words were words of worship because of God's faithfulness

                        to His covenant with His people.

              Confession   1:6-7

                   Conscious contemplation on God's faithfulness renewed Nehemiah's awareness of

                        the unfaithfulness and failures of God's people. He confessed their sin and

                        disobedience.

              Appeal to covenant   1:8-10

                   His petition before God was on the basis of His covenant.   Deut. 28-30

                   The people's condition was the result of their disobedience and conformed to what

                        God had promised would happen if they rebelled against Him.

                   However, He also promised to restore them if they would repent.

                   The promise of a remnant in the land is evidence that God was restoring his people.

                   Nehemiah was also calling on God as a representative of His people. His desire is

                        that God might accept this as sufficient for the restoration of His people.

              Petition   1:11a

                   On the basis of this covenant promise, and the obedience of him and others like

                        him, he prays that God will intervene and cause the pagan king to grant his

                        request.

        His petition to the king   1:11b-2:8

              Petition made   1:11b-2:5

                   While Nehemiah was waiting for the right opportunity to present his concern to the

                        king, he was apparently thinking about the condition of Jerusalem when the king

                        noticed his sadness and concern.

                   Nehemiah was frightened because he could have been killed for sadness before the

                        king.

                   His request had been carefully considered. He knew exactly what he wanted to ask.

              Petition granted   2:6-8

                   When the king's response was favorable, Nehemiah requested additional

                        assistance.

                   Since the king was favorably disposed toward Nehemiah and his program, the

                        additional help was not difficult to obtain.

        His preview of the situation   2:9-16

                   With the official backing of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah set out with his expedition for

                        Jerusalem.

              Presentation to local officials   2:9

                   He presented his authorization papers to the king's designated authorities in the

                        region.

              Discontent by local officials   2:10

                   When the local officials of the neighboring countries heard that he had come to help

                        Israel, they were upset, but they could not stop him.

              Survey of local conditions   2:11-16

                   Before presenting his plan to his people, he toured the area at night in order to

                        understand the situation and prepare places for his project.

        His presentation of the plan   2:17-20

                   At the proper time he calls the people together to discuss the plan.

              Plan adopted   2:17-18

                   He helps them recognize the problem and desire a solution for it.

                   They identify with his vision and accept it as their own.

              Plan opposed   2:19

                   When God begins to do something, the opposition immediately surfaces.

                   Local neighboring officials begin to mock and to raise questions.

              Plan assured   2:20

                   In spite of local opposition, Nehemiah's security is not based on local

                        circumstances.

                   He sees beyond the circumstances and places his confidence in God who has

                        brought him to this point.

    PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION   3-6:14

              Once the people have accepted the plan, the opposition has been taken into account,

                   and God's promises have been recognized, the people are ready to go to work.

        Division of responsibilities   3:1-32

                   Responsibilities are divided on the basis of families.

                   Each family has an assigned section of the wall.

                        The work was well organized.

                   While each job was different, the people involved all had to realize why they were

                        doing this.

                   Dedication to the task and to the God who had given it to them was essential.

                   All had to cooperate for it to be successful.

              From Sheep Gate to Fish Gate   3:1-2

            From Fish Gate to Old Gate   3:3-5

              From Old Gate to Valley Gate  3:6-12

              From Valley Gate to Dung Gate   3:13

              From Dung Gate to Fountain Gate   3:14

              From Fountain Gate to Horse Gate   3:15-27

              From Horse Gate to Sheep Gate   3:28-32

        Difficulties in rebuilding   4-6:14

                   When the work began on the wall, obstacles to their progress began to appear

                        quickly.

              External obstacles   4

                         Most of the obstacles were provoked by the opposing neighbors who wanted to

                        see the project stopped.

                         Their neighbors produced external obstacles to interfere with the work.

                    Ridicule   4:1-6

                         They began to ridicule the workmen.

                   Conspiracy   4:7-23

                        When Nehemiah's prayer prevented the ridicule from stopping their progress,

                             the neighbors conspired to attack the city.

                        Rather than stop building to fight, a plan was designed which would permit

                             them to keep working and, at the same time, protect the workers and project

                             from outside attack.

              Internal obstacle   5

                        Economic conditions inside the camp caused another obstacle to the work.

                   Strife over economic conditions   5:1-5

                        They were becoming discouraged because they had to borrow to eat.

                        High interest rates were making the situation unbearable.

                        Nehemiah's rebuke caused the nobles and officials to quit charging the high

                             interest rates.

                   Self-denial by leaders   5:6-13

                        All were to sacrifice personal gain for the good of the work.

                   Self-denial by Nehemiah   5:14-19

                        Nehemiah also denied himself some of the privileges he would have been

                             entitled to as governor in order to guaranty the satisfactory completion of the

                             walls.

              Personal obstacles   6:1-14

                        Nehemiah's enemies also sought to cause his fall by means of personal obstacles.

                   Temptation to confer   6:1-9

                        They invented different pretexts to try to lure him away from the work for special

                             business sessions with them.

                   Temptation to flee   6:10-14

                        When that didn't work, they tried to use fear to cause him to hide, and thus to

                         fail.

                        These attempts weren't successful either.

    PERFECTION OF RECONSTRUCTION   6:15-7:73

        Completion of wall   6:15-19

              Due to Nehemiah's dedication to the task and his careful administration, the job was

                   completed in only fifty-two days.

        Charge for leaders   7:1-4

              Once the wall was complete, the town was organized to provide guard patrols to

                   protect the residents.

        Collection of genealogies   7:5-69

                   A genealogical record was gathered which could be used as a basis for the political

                        organization of the people.

              Genealogy gathered   7:5-7

              Genealogy recounted   7:8-69

                   Men of Israel   7:8-38

                        Priests   7:39-42

                Levites   7:43

                   Singers   7:44

                   Gatekeepers   7:45

                   Temple servants   7:46-56

                   Solomon's servants   7:57-60

                   Uncertain descent   7:61-65

                   Total number   7:66-69

        Contributions for work   7:70-72

              A record was kept of the special contributions which were made for the project.

        Conclusion of work   7:73

              When the job was done, the residents of the land were distributed.

              Each lived in his own town.

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL OF COVENANT   8-13

         Once physical and material issues were dealt with, the more important internal,

              spiritual issues became the focus of Nehemiah's attention.

    RECONFIRMATION OF COVENANT   8-10

              At the heart of the matter was the need for a renewed commitment to the covenant.

              God's covenant people needed to reconfirm their submission to the God who made

                   the covenant with them.

              Later, they would have to make numerous reforms in their lives to conform their

                   lifestyle to what God wanted them to be (11-13).

              The priority established conforms to Deuteronomy:

                   First, the basic issue of trust and submission to God must be dealt with.

                   Later, specific stipulations presented.

        Reading of the law   8

                   The people gathered to listen to God's word.

              Instruction from the law   8:1-8

                   On the first day the entire assembly united as Ezra read the law and others

                        explained the meaning to the people so that they all could understand it.

              Celebration of joy   8:9-12

                   When the people understood God's Word, many wept because of all that had

                        happened.

                             The leaders instructed them not to weep.

                             This was a time for rejoicing since now they understood the truth.

              Construction of booths   8:13-17

                   On the second day, heads of families and leaders gathered to listen again to God's

                        Word.

                   During this reading they discovered that it was time to celebrate the Feast of

                        Tabernacles.

                   Therefore, instructions were given and the celebration began.

              Continuation of reading   8:18

                   At the same time the people continued to gather together to listen to the book of the

                        law.

                   On the eighth day of the feast, they concluded with the assembly commanded in

                        the law.

        Repentance of the people   9:1-37

                   When the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles concluded, the people continued

                        to listen to God's Word.

                   On the twenty-fourth day, the people gathered together and participated in a mass

                        day of repentance.

              Their separation and confession   9:1-4

                   They separated themselves from all foreigners, confessed their sins, read from the

                        law and worshiped God.

              Their praise to the Lord   9:5-15

                        They praised God for all He had done for them.

                   Because of His creation   9:5-6

                Because of His covenant   9:7-8

                   Because of His deliverance   9:9-12

                   Because of His revelation   9:13-15

              Their confession of national failure   9:16-37

                   In contrast to God's grace and faithfulness toward them, they confess the

                        unfaithfulness of their people to Him.

                   They're in this sad condition because of their own failure.

                   They deserve what they've received.

        Restoration of the covenant   9:38-10:39

                   Aware of where they have come from, they pledge themselves to a binding

                        agreement with God.

              Signing of the agreement   9:38-10:27

                   All the leaders of the people seal the agreement.

              Acceptance of the agreement   10:28-29a

                   The rest of the people join them in accepting its conditions.

              Contents of the agreement   10:29b-39

                   The basic oath is to follow and to obey God's laws.

                   Specific reference is made concerning intermarriage, Sabbath observance, and

                        duties with respect to the temple.

    REFORMATION OF ABUSES   11-13

              Following the reconfirmation of their allegiance to the covenant, there were many

                   minor details to be corrected.

        Settlement of the cities   11

              Inhabitants of Jerusalem   11:1-19

                        Because of the condition Jerusalem had been in, most of the people were living

                             outside the city, in other surrounding towns.

                        It was difficult to motivate them to move into Jerusalem.

                   Basis of selection   11:1-4a

                        A plan was developed to cast lots so that one tenth of the people would live in

                             Jerusalem.

                        Those who volunteered to live there were commended for their brave act.

                   Results of selection   11:4b-19

                             A list is given of those who lived in Jerusalem.

                        Descendants of Judah   11:4b-6

                    Descendants of Benjamin   11:7-9

                        Priests   11:10-14

                        Levites   11:15-18

                        Gatekeepers   11:19

              Inhabitants of other cities   11:20-36

                        The other leaders and remaining towns occupied were also listed.

                   Inhabitants of the towns   11:20-24

                   Towns of the inhabitants   11:25-36

        Identification of priests and Levites   12:1-26

                   In order to guaranty the purity of the priestly line, it was necessary to identify the

                        legitimate families of the restoration period.

                   A list was given which would enable them to identify legitimate future priests on

                        the basis of their genealogies.

              Chief contemporaries of Jeshua   12:1-9

                   Priests   12:1-7

                   Levites   12:8-9

              Descendants of Jeshua   12:10-11

              Chief contemporaries of Joiakim   12:12-21

            Chief Levites from Joiakim to Jaddua   12:22-26

        Dedication of the walls   12:27-13:3

                   When the wall was completed, a special dedication service was celebrated.

              Gathering and purification of the people   12:27-30

                   The people were gathered together and the priests and Levites purified

                        themselves, the people, the gates and the walls.

              Appointment of two choirs   12:31-43

                        Two great choirs were named to rejoice and to sing praises to God.

                   Company on the right   12:31-37

                   Company on the left   12:38-39

                   Companies' rejoicing together   12:40-43

              Appointment over storerooms for contributions   12:44-47

                   They named men to be responsible for the storerooms where the contributions to be

                        brought in would be kept.

              Separation from foreigners 13:1-3

                   Finally, as they listened to the reading of the law, they learned that no foreigners

                        were to be allowed to participate in their worship and separated them.

                   After so many years of divine discipline, the people had to start at the beginning to

                        learn God's requirements.

                   They came to God ready to listen and to put into practice the commands found in

                        His law.

        Later reforms   13:4-31

                   Nehemiah had gone back home previous to this and was absent for several years.

                   Upon returning some years later, he discovered additional reforms that were

                        necessary and led the people in them.

              Concerning the temple   13:4-14

                   Removal of Tobiah's storeroom   13:4-9

                        Tobiah, who had been part of the opposition party previously, had become a

                             close associate of Eliashib the priest and was provided a storeroom in the

                             temple.

                        It was bad enough that there were not enough offerings to create a need for the

                             room.

                                  It was worse to use the room for private business interests.

                                  The most serious offense was allowing a non-Israelite free access and control

                                       over the use of a portion of God's house.

                        When Nehemiah heard about this arrangement, he cleaned out Tobiah's

                             property, ordered the purification of the rooms and restored them to their

                             intended use.

                   Restoration of tithes   13:10-14

                        Another problem related to the temple, as well as to the use of the storerooms,

                             was that the people had stopped giving the designated tithe for God's servants.

                        Nehemiah accused them of neglect and reestablished the plan God had given

                             them.

              Concerning the Sabbath   13:15-22

                   Along with neglect for the temple came neglect for the Sabbath.

                   Many Jews were working and merchants were selling their goods on the Sabbath in

                        Jerusalem.

                   Nehemiah warned them that this was one of the failures that led to the captivity

                        previously.

                   He ordered the city gates closed from dusk just before the Sabbath began.

                        He threatened those who attempted to set up just outside the gates.

                        Then he organized Levites to prevent further offenses of Sabbath laws.

              Concerning intermarriage   13:23-31

                        During Nehemiah's absence, marriages became mixed again.

                             Many Jews had married pagans.

                             The separation and purification of God's people was lost.

                             Many children couldn't even speak Hebrew and thus could not understand

                                  God's law.

                   Prohibition of intermarriage   13:23-27

                        Nehemiah warned them of how this same problem had harmed God's people

                             previously, especially at the time of Solomon.

                        He made them take an oath prohibiting intermarriage.

                   Removal of priest   13:28-31

                        Most offensive of intermarriages was a grandson of the high priest and heir to

                             that office with a daughter of Sanballat, professed opponent of God's people.

                        The marriage was symbolic of the extremity to which the situation had arrived.

                        Therefore, Nehemiah put him out.

The appeal repeated three times in the final chapter is both individual and representative.

Nehemiah's zeal for God and for His law has caused the cleansing of the people and the

    restoration to obedience and fellowship with God.

They are now able to ask God for His blessing upon them.

Nehemiah has sought to be faithful and to follow God, therefore he may expect to

    experience God's blessing.

Even more important is the effect among God's restored people.

    They are once again following Him.

    Therefore, the nation may rightfully expect that God will bless them.

Unfortunately, Nehemiah's prayer represents his zeal, more than the desire of the nation.

    Once Nehemiah is gone, the reform is short-lived.

    Israel soon returns to the same state of neglect and fails to experience the blessing which

         Nehemiah anticipates.

    The nation will have to wait again for God's time of blessing.

APPLICATION TO OUR LIFE TODAY:

    What do God's dealings with Israel teach us about what He wants from His people today?

    What do we learn about godly leadership from observing Nehemiah's character and lifestyle?

    What difference should this study make in your life?

    What do you plan to do about it?