Nehemiah Builds the Wall
Use this video clip as a discussion starter for your class.

Introduction
In his sermon today, Pastor Chuck gave two personal examples that reveal some of the challenges we are facing during Carona virus crisis. Take a few moments and reflect on some of the experiences you have had over the past several weeks.
  1. What do you find most concerning or challenging?
  2. What are some good things that have come from our current circumstances?
  3. How has God deepened your faith during these days? 
  4. In what ways do you struggle in your faith?
Compas and Bible
Historical Setting
In Nehemiah chapter one and two we read of the horrible ruin of the walls surrounding Jerusalem. Instead of a land inhabited by a great nation, only a remnant of people lived there; and they were in great affliction and struggling to survive. Instead of a magnificent city, Jerusalem was in shambles; and where there had once been great glory, there was now nothing but great reproach. [1]
 
  • The Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem's walls, gates, and temple in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:1-21).
  • Some form of government and order had been established, but they still had a much more to do.
  • Fifty years after the exile, a group of 50,000 Jews had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and the city.
  • Since the Gentiles had hindered their work, however, the temple was not completed for twenty years. (Ezra 1-6)
  • The gates and walls never were repaired. They were left in ruins.
  • This made the condition of the inhabitants very shameful. They never really recovered from their previous slavery and poverty, and the walls stood as a reminder of these things.
  • Without walls the city was very vulnerable. Enemies could attack and do whatever they please with the inhabitants.
  • Read Psalms 48, 79, 84, and 87 to see how much loyal Jews loved their city. You can imagine how they must have felt.

Amazingly, it took only 52 days for Nehemiah to lead the people to rebuild the walls.  These new walls would stand as a symbol of hope and new life. 
 
[1] Wiersbe, Warren W.: Be Determined. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1996, c1992, S. Ne 1:1
Digging Deeper
The book of Nehemiah is rich with examples of leadership, vision, teamwork, divine guidance, justice, faith, and a plethora of other worthy subjects. However, the story of Nehemiah is really about the people renewing their covenant with God. Let's dig deeper and see what was involved in this process.

The people renewed their covenant with God.
  1. They remembered God's law. The people were dedicated to hearing and understanding God's covenant. At first Ezra stood on a wooden platform in front of the Water Gate and read the Book of the Law (8:1-6) while some of the Levites helped the people understand what was being read. (8:7) The next day they reassembled and set up camp where they listened to the reading of the law for seven days straight. (8:17-18) "...and the people answered, "Amen! Amen!", lifting up their hands. And they worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." (8:6)
  2. They Repented. The people wept and mourned as they listened to the law. (8:9-12) They dressed in sackcloth and put dust on their heads as they confessed their sins to God. (9:1-3)
  3. They Rejoiced. At first the people wept as they listened to the law, but Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites told them to rejoice. They instructed the people to celebrate and feast together. (8:9-12)
  4. They renewed their covenant. A special document was written and signed by Nehemiah, the priests, the Levites, the political leaders, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple servants, and other leaders of the people. (10:1-39)
  5. They resettled.  Chapters 11 and 12 record how the people began to migrate back to the areas where their ancestors lived. They were safe now. The land was restored and there was hope.
  6. They reformed. Nehemiah made sure that law and order was established so that the people would act justly toward one another. (Nehemiah 13:1-30)
Life Application
  • Sometimes we want God to fix up the exterior of our lives. We want Him to bring security and blessings. These are all good things. And, obviously God did that for the Jews. However, He is ultimately interested in establishing a relationship with us.  The foundation for a good life is a right relationship with God.