Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 11

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1 Daayy 1166: : Neehheemi iaahh 33 Underline Key Words, Phrases, and People Highlight gate names [Bracket] the word rebuilt or built {Curly Bracket} the word repaired Write out any questions that come to mind Rebuilding the Wall 3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate a. They consecrated(a) it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. 6 Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters. 13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits b of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate. 14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 15 And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king s garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk c, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. 17 After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 18 After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19 Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress 25 and to the corner. Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. 28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the 48

2 temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired. (B) Study A. Consecration setting something apart for the express purpose of acknowledging the holiness ( set-apart -ness) of God. For detailed study of the word throughout Scripture, see Baker s Evangelical Bible Dictionary for free at: [ onaries/bakers-evangelicaldictionary/] Why might this portion of the wall and the Sheep Gate be consecrated and not others listed? B. Nehemiah s account of the building of the wall moves around the city of Jerusalem counterclockwise starting and ending with the Gate. C. Looking at the end of Nehemiah 3 and the map on the back of Wk3 s Message Notes, do you notice that there seems to be a concentration of towers on the north and northwestern walls? Why might this be? Tip: Google Image Search: Jerusalem Ritmeyer Nehemiah to see some helpful archeological renderings of the city. Notes a) The naming of the various gates is not always significant but some are named for their function. The Sheep Gate was located on the northeastern side of the city near the Temple where sheep for sacrifice would be lead into the city. b) Cubit = about 18 inches. Therefore, this is about 500 yards of wall. c) This is not the same Nehemiah as the one sent to lead building effort. Once the Israelites decided to get to work they went after it. While Nehemiah had not inspected the entirety of the wall (2:9-20) he had enough information to get a city-wide project under way. Nehemiah, showing his leadership savvy, had each group work on the part of the wall that they would ultimately find most important; the section that protected their own homes. Nehemiah had various groups work side-by-side and, when possible, had them work on the parts of the wall that they would pass by every day. Everyone worked together in this project: priests, nobles (but not ALL nobles), Levites, goldsmiths, perfumers, merchants, servants, sons, and daughters. This was a whole-people kind of endeavor. There were likely people doing work that they had very little experience in or was firmly outside of their gifts. Everyone was called to the task because it was that important and everyone could find a place to contribute. This is ultimately a successful plan because of a few factors. First, the vast majority rose to the occasion. Some thought they were above the work (3:5) but most realized the importance of what they were taking on and wanted to do what they could do (2:17). Second, families and friends served together. The people served alongside those who they knew well, loved, and whose skills and abilities they understood. Third, they kept in mind that they were being empowered by and serving God, not Nehemiah or the human leaders (2:18). Not every group did the exact same thing or contributed in equal amounts. Some worked in repairing walls that still stood (at least partially) from the Babylonian devastation. Some worked on building brand new walls were there were not walls in the past (southeastern area). Some hung or repaired gates. The point was not complete equality but completion itself. Everyone came with a do whatever-it-takes attitude and they got about doing it. As the account moves around the city, we as readers are to get the idea that every part of the wall was spoken for; that people knew what the goal was; that families and groups were empowered to do their part as everyone else did 49

3 theirs. Daayy 1177: : Neehheemi iaahh 44 In one sentence or phrase, briefly sum up the Main Point(s) of what you read today: Underline Key Words, Phrases, and People Highlight when God is specifically mentioned [Bracket] the words work, labor, and guard {Curly Bracket} actions or words of Nehemiah Write out any questions that come to mind Questions Why do you think such detail was taken in documenting who was working on each part of the wall? What does the fact that this degree of detail is preserved in the account tell us about the author? Do you feel like some or all of the three factors identified above that contributed to the success of the project are seen in endeavors taken on by local churches today? Why or why not? Opposition to the Work 4 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that? 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, Yes, what they are building if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall! 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work a. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites(A) heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 10 In Judah it was said, The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall. 11 And our enemies said, They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work. 12 At that 50

4 time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, You must return to us. (B) 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes. The Work Resumes 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us. (C) 21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day. 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. Study A. The Samarians, Ammonites, Arabians, and Ashdodites. Look at the second map on the back of the Wk4 Message Notes. Notice where Samaria and Ashdod are in relation to Judea. To the right (east) of Samaria is Ammon (tan on map). To the southwest of Ashdod lies Arabia (not pictured). Idumea was by no means a friendly nation. If each man in this enemy coalition represents his nation, how might the people of Judea feel based on their geography? B. The Hebrew behind this verse is difficult. Check multiple translations on BibleGateway.com and see how different versions translate this verse. Tip: NASB, NIV, NLT, RSV bible translations are a good place to start. C. Read Deuteronomy 20:1-4 & Joshua 23 Deuteronomy is written before the people of God have entered the Holy Land by Moses. What does it say in this passage God will do? Joshua 23 is written about the time just after the people had entered and settled in the land. What does it say God did? What does it call the leaders to do? What time period that we have looked at in week 1 of this study is foreshadowed (or alluded to)? 51

5 What is the result? They celebrate a major milestone as the wall is connected into a full circle albeit at half its height. Notes a) This Hebrew phrase would also be translated the people s heart to do. The heart is meant to capture an idea that they brought their whole self to the task. If the book of Nehemiah is ever made into a movie, the scene recorded in 4:1-3 would have to be in the screenplay as: [Transition scene to enemy dining room. Sanballat and other enemy leaders sit around messy table filled with bones and spilled drinks carrying on about the Jews. Room is poorly lit and they all seem somewhat under-groomed and over-served.]. While this may not be exactly how things occurred, it would communicate the belligerent posture Sanballat and his friends take toward Israel. These men had nothing to gain by the city of Jerusalem and the people of Israel becoming a legitimate force in their province, The Land Beyond the River. They wanted to see this building project cease. But the Jews had something very important, a letter from the Persian king. What could they do? At the very least they could sit around and complain about it, right? But they did a little more than that. Sanballat used his words of rage and indignation toward the Jews to stir up the army and his fellow leaders. He personally attacks the character of God s people, calls their motives into question, takes a shot even at the quality of their work, and even rekindles memories of how their beloved city was burned (by the Babylonians, prior governors, or both). Clearly these statements made it back to the builders or were said in their presence. Did you notice how Nehemiah responds? He addressed God. He also does something that says something about how he viewed the connection between God and His people. Sanballat had verbally attacked the Jews but Nehemiah states that God is the one provoked to anger (4:5). For God, Israel is His child; His treasured people. So when they are attacked He is the one who takes action. Nehemiah understands this and reminds the builders of this truth. This milestone causes the enemies of God to take drastic action. They plan to come against the halfwalled city while it is still vulnerable. This goes directly against the order of the king held within the letter he sent. But help from the king, if it came, would be far away and the people of the land thought they had an opening to put this project to a stop. The reaction from Nehemiah and those he was leading: prayer and planning. They turn to their God and solve for the situation the best they can as they trust Him. The section following shows that Nehemiah was dealing with discouragement from three different levels: within Judah (v.10), from enemies (v.11), and from neighboring Jews (v.12). Nehemiah sees this and responds literally arming the people who were at the most vulnerable places of the unfinished wall and then, and more importantly, encourages their hearts with a call to remember how God has fought on behalf of His people in the past. Lastly, he calls them to fight for everything that they hold dear. The result of this effort is the thwarting of the plot to attack Jerusalem. We see in this verse that this threat was real and that God had really moved to protect them in frustrating the plans of those who sought to do them harm. Nehemiah takes this near-miss to change up their strategy. From now on, everyone would come to work packing. They would work with a weapon in one hand and a tool in the other. They would not be surprised or taken off guard. They would be ready around the clock. They are ready for whatever Sanballat might bring against them. The enemies of God s people had nearly destroyed them had it not been for the grace of God and the able leadership of Nehemiah. But now a new threat comes against the people, an old foe of Israel: injustice. In one sentence or phrase, briefly sum up the Main Point(s) of what you read today: 52

6 Questions How would you summarize Nehemiah s mindset when facing adversity? What seems to be his first reaction when faced with challenge? How can we learn from his example? Do you think it is possible that this episode of real threat actually helped the people of God? Why or why not? Daayy 1188: : Neehheemi iaahh 55 Underline Key Words, Phrases, and People Highlight when God is mentioned [Bracket] Prayers or promises before God {Curly Bracket} The various issues people were facing Write out any questions that come to mind Nehemiah Stops Oppression of the Poor 5 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive. 3 There were also those who said, We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine. 4 And there were those who said, We have borrowed money for the king s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards. 6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, You are exacting interest, each from his brother. (A) And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us! They were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them. 12 Then they said, We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say. And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold of my garment a and said, So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied. And all the assembly said Amen b and praised the LORD C. And the people did as they had promised. Nehemiah s Generosity 14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirtysecond year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. d 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and 53

7 we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. Study A. Read Deuteronomy 23:19-20 & Leviticus 25: What reason does Nehemiah have to bring charges against the nobles and officials? Notes a) This is symbolic gesture to get the point across that God would forcibly shake out their wealth and comfort if they did not follow through on their promise. b) Amen is a transliteration (spelled in English the way it is pronounced in Hebrew) of a Hebrew word that means Let it be so. For full definition and New Testament usage see Amen entry at c) Notice the covenantal, personal name of God, Yahweh (LORD in caps), is used here in this key moment of repentance and restoration. d) It is somewhat odd that the fact that Nehemiah had been made governor of Judea (region within the province Beyond the River) is not mentioned until here. However, this does make sense based on the personal usage of revenue allotted to Nehemiah in the letter given by Artaxerxes. The question of who came before him as governor is also difficult to know but archeological evidence does suggest these were not Samarian officials but prior governors of Judea. 1 Like all projects, unforeseen problems can show up sooner or later. Nehemiah has already been dealing with the enemies seen first in chapter 2 and expanded in chapter 4, plotting to disrupt the construction. He has also dealt with fatigue and frustration of the people (4:10). All of these problems might have been expected. But a new problem comes up in this passage and is likely surprising to Nehemiah. This problem (or set of problems) arises from within. The people building the wall still need to eat and live and have bills to pay. In order to meet these needs they have been borrowing money, using their own property or fields or personal signature as collateral. What is causing the poverty? It was likely a combination of a poor crop at this time and the preoccupation of many of the Jewish men with the construction of the walls. While their pursuits were noble, life had not been in easy in the land. These factors combine to put many people in a position where they need to borrow money against their land. They turn to the wealthy among their own people; the wealthier Jews among them, their brothers and sister Israelites. Unfortunately, the motives of the wealthy among them are not pure. Greed rears its ugly head. The nobles and officials take advantage of the hardship of the poor of the land and accumulate vast tracks of land as the poor have to mortgage theirs to stay afloat. This situation is compounded by the high tax load already on the people demanded by the Persian throne. Over time, this results in the poor having no land for farming. They begin to lose their homes and are staring down the last resort in paying outstanding debt in the ancient world: selling themselves and their children into slavery Breneman, Mervin. Vol. 10, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. electronic ed. The New American Commentary. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 207.

8 When Nehemiah was made aware of the problem, he becomes angry. But he took time to think before he reacted. He then calls a large meeting with all the leadership and confronted them with their sin. Why was Nehemiah so angry? Some translations have the word Usury. What is Usury? ESV translates it as interest. In Scripture, it is any interest. The word today means exorbitant interest. Banks are under usury laws not to charge excessive interest. According to the Laws of Moses, given by God for the societal structure of His covenant people, Israelites are specifically forbidden from charging fellow Jews interest. Additionally, the poor among the Israelites were to be treated with the dignity and honor due every person as an image-bearer of God. It is important to note that Nehemiah and those who came with him, clearly among this group officials, were loaning money to others. But they were doing so in a righteous manner, according to the Law. When confronted, the nobles and wealthy had nothing to say and agreed to stop charging interest and return what had been taken. Why did they respond and agree with Nehemiah so easily? Nehemiah s life and courage backed up the conviction that should have been inspired by Scripture alone. He was a man of power, prestige, and means and he followed the Law and God s will. Greed did not rule his life, obedience and compassion did. He did not just tell them how they were outside of God s will, his very life showed them how it should be done. The wicked advantage themselves by disadvantaging others, but the righteous disadvantage themselves for the advantage of others 2 With this framework in mind, Nehemiah proves to be acting as a righteous person. Nehemiah went against the cultural expectations and did not take the income he had a right to. He had compassion on the people he was ruling, to make their burden light. Nehemiah was also generous with his already limited funds. He shared his table with many people at his own expense. Three groups of people are listed, Jews (his own family, those in need from previous section), officials (maybe those he confronted in the previous section and forgave), and those from surrounding nations (foreigners, strangers). Despite all this, the last line of the passage, a prayer directed to God, betrays a sense of humility and lowly spirit before God. Nehemiah, for all his sacrifice and selfless acts did not assume his stamp into God s grace. He understood, as we should as well, that we cannot lean on our good works, even when they are many, to have right standing with God, but faith. In one sentence or phrase, briefly sum up the Main Point(s) of what you read today: Nehemiah was appointed as governor in the land of Judah. He made some very important changes. He no longer took the taxes and portions that previous governors had taken. Why? The fear of God. Bruce Walke, a respected Old Testament scholar, coined a proverb after trying to define how the word righteous is used in the book of Proverbs. He writes: 55 2 Waltke, Bruce K., Righteousness in Proverbs.Westminster Theological Journal, vol 70,

9 Questions Nehemiah s example gave weight to his challenge to others. Are there areas in your life in which you could confidently, but humbly challenge others to life as you live, honoring God through obedience? Others where you could not? What do the reforms of Nehemiah to the office of governor of Judah say about his character? What do they say about his motives? What are your thoughts about Bruce Waltke s proverb about the righteous person according to Proverbs? Do you believe, out of honor and worship to God, that you disadvantage yourself for the advantage of others? Daayy 1199: : Neehheemi iaahh 66: : Underline Key Words, Phrases, and People Highlight When God is mentioned Box instances where Nehemiah shows discernment (understanding/perceptiveness) [Bracket] Letters from enemies {Curly Bracket} where I is used Write out any questions that come to mind Conspiracy Against Nehemiah 6 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono. a But they 3 intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you? 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, There is a king in Judah. (A) And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind. 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done. But now, O God, strengthen my hands. 10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah b the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. c They are coming to kill you by night. 11 But I said, Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in. 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid. 56

10 Study Notes A. What prophets or prophecies might these men be referring to? (Advanced) Tip: look to some of the prophets in our study over the past weeks. Also, does your bible have any crossreferences or notes? B. Looking back over the past few days of study, what word keeps appearing in the prayers of Nehemiah? a) The plain of Ono was the most northwestern settlement of those who had returned from exile. This meeting could have been sold as taking place on neutral ground but was more likely a trick to get Nehemiah traveling a long road far from Jerusalem. (see map on Wk4 Message Notes) b) There is not much information on this man but he may have been a priest, explaining his access to the Temple. c) It was not lawful for Nehemiah to enter into the Temple to seek asylum at the altar. This act would appear at the same time cowardly and disobedient to the Law, severely harming Nehemiah s reputation. The end is in sight. The wall is up and completely without breach. It is strong, full-size, and has that new-ancient-wall smell. Only problem with walls is they are only as secure as the doors in them and Jerusalem did not have doors. But the Israelites were doors away from their goal and the finish line likely looked closer than it ever had. This news was not celebrated by all. Sanballat and his crew saw one last opportunity to shut down the project and they likely felt that putting a stop to Israel meant putting a stop to one man: Nehemiah. So Sanballat sends letters to Nehemiah asking him to make the trek out to a far away village from Jerusalem. They say, Come out from your walls and from among your fellow worker-soldiers and talk with us in this little village. What could do wrong? Nehemiah saw through this and did not go. Four times this offer is made with the same response: No. The fifth letter takes it up a notch as they go back to the playbook of stopping the Israelites. They accuse them of intentions to rebel. Sanballat threatens to send a letter stating as much to the king if Nehemiah will not take the meeting. Nehemiah had to make a judgment call. Are they bluffing? What if they are not? What is their goal in sending us this letter? He decides to stay the course. He reasons that they are merely attempting to intimidate them into stopping the work by fears that the Persians or the people of the land might come and undo all the work they had just put in. This threat had a very real and destructive precedent (Ezra 4:7-23 letter). Nehemiah calls their bluff and the work continues in prayer. Sanballat changes strategies once again. If Nehemiah won t come out of Jerusalem, he would create a threat from within his own people. A trap to get Nehemiah to sin publicly is hatched so that Nehemiah might lose face with the people at a crucial juncture in the project. Nehemiah makes the most profound statement of this chapter in verse 11. This verse shows the deep faith of Nehemiah. It illustrates that he knows who he is in Gods eyes and shows that his faith in God is much deeper than his fear of man, or concern for his own safety for that matter. Nehemiah will not disgrace God nor his faith and won t risk his ability to lead by allowing fear and anxiety get the best of him. Nehemiah is not boasting about his own image when he says a man such as I but he is talking of the image of God and the faith he proclaims. A man who God has raised up for a time such as this would not run away from men out of fear. Nehemiah proves he will not be persuaded or distracted from God s work by lies, threats, or temptations. He would be dedicated to God to the 57

11 point of death if that is what it meant. Nehemiah knew that he had been chosen for this task when he found favor with the king, knew that things would not always be easy, and knew now that things had to move forward despite the uncertainty of the times. In one sentence or phrase, briefly sum up the Main Point(s) of what you read today: Questions The shift to the use of I in this section might catch us off-guard. Why do you think the writer uses I in this passage? Daayy 2200: : Neehheemi iaahh 66: : : :7733 Underline Key Words, Phrases, and People Highlight Actions God takes Box the people groups o Hint: look for colons (:) [Bracket] The enemy s response to the wall s completion {Curly Bracket} Directions of Nehemiah Write out any questions that come to mind The Wall Is Finished 15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul a, in fifty-two days.(a) 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah s letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife b. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid. The fifth letter is sent already open. Why do you think Sanballat did this? Nehemiah protected his reputation not for himself but for what it meant to his ability to lead others as they followed God. Have you ever thought about how your reputation might help or hinder those who look up to you? Do you think about your reputation as something precious in order to lead others in following God? 7 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes. 4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. 58

12 Lists of Returned Exiles c 5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it: 6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2, The sons of Shephatiah, The sons of Arah, The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2, The sons of Elam, 1, The sons of Zattu, The sons of Zaccai, The sons of Binnui, The sons of Bebai, The sons of Azgad, 2, The sons of Adonikam, The sons of Bigvai, 2, The sons of Adin, The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, The sons of Hashum, The sons of Bezai, The sons of Hariph, The sons of Gibeon, The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, The men of Anathoth, The men of Bethazmaveth, The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, The men of 31 Ramah and Geba, 621. The men of Michmas, The men of Bethel and Ai, The men of the other Nebo, The sons of the other Elam, 1, The sons of Harim, The sons of Jericho, The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, The sons of Senaah, 3, The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, The sons of Immer, 1, The sons of Pashhur, 1, The sons of Harim, 1, The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, The 45 singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha. 57 The sons of Solomon s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. 60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon s servants were The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise. 59

13 Totals of People and Gifts 66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245, 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6, Now some of the heads of fathers houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests garments and 500 minas of silver. 71 And some of the heads of fathers houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests garments. 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns. This is the definition of a bittersweet finish. The wall is up and finished. The doors are hung and the city is secure. But there is no talk of celebrations, parties, and revelry. There is no long, rich prayer of dedication or thanksgiving to God. There are no songs sung or poems written. Instead, Nehemiah sees the most influential families take the side of one of the people who made it their personal mission to stop the very work that just saw its completion. Tobiah the Ammonite must have been a very winning personality and a savvy individual to hold such sway within a people who were arch enemies of his own people, historically. You cannot help but read this section and feel like Nehemiah is focused on and worried about the influence of his enemies. We get the feeling that he is fearful of how things might play out. Chapter 7 opens with Nehemiah seeing the city like a chess master, moving the pieces into play to see the city take its next step. He sets people to their responsibilities and passes off the governorship to his brother. In selecting him, it is his faith that is the primary factor used in his selection. Then Nehemiah counts the people, appealing to a similar list as is found in Ezra 2 (see Note c). The last half of verse 73 is additional and points to the important moment about to take place one month later (September/October) that is detailed in chapter 8. God has been gracious to His people. Despite all the fear-mongering, posturing, and threats, God is the one who is feared. The Temple is standing, the wall is restored, and doors are hung. But the city is not yet restored to glory and might. It is still sparsely populated and the economy is fragile (as was seen in chapter 5). Nehemiah must return back to the capital soon; back to the king as he promised. He might be the former governor of Judah but he is still the cupbearer to the king of the Persian Empire. There is much left to do in God s plan of restoration for His people. Study Notes A. Using the first map on the back of the Wk4 Message Notes, in the 52 days How many towers were restored? How many feet of wall were restored? i. Tip: Use scale in bottom left. a) Ehul is August-September, about six months after Nehemiah first spoke to the king about the state of Jerusalem. b) Tobiah the Ammonite was related to a very influential family in Jerusalem by marriage. This is clearly a spill-over from the earlier issues with intermarriage. c) This list is very similar to that found in Ezra 2. However, variations do exist between them. Scholars are not agreed on why that is but a few opinions dominate. First, they could simply be copiest errors. Second, the list from Nehemiah might be an updated version of that found in Ezra, showing those arrived later. Third, that the list in Ezra is a composite list of some kind combining information from the list found in Nehemiah with another list Breneman, 74. Citing Williamson, Ezra,Nehemiah (29-30)

14 In one sentence or phrase, briefly sum up the Main Point(s) of what you read today: Questions While it is bittersweet, this moment is an important milestone for the people of Israel and Nehemiah in particular. What would you say are some key events or decisions that made this moment possible? Have you ever experienced an important accomplishment when relational health with people that matter a great deal to you is not high? Can you identify with how Nehemiah might be feeling? 61

15 Wk4- Message Notes Three factors for success o o o The vast rose to the occasion. and served together. They knew they were and God. Sanballat and Tobiah the people of God. Despite opposition, the people had a. Nehemiah responds to opposition with and. When faced with threat, Nehemiah calls the people to and. Jerusalem s nobles and officials were the poor. Nehemiah sets an example of for the rich of Jerusalem. In the face of uncertainty, Nehemiah shows incredible. The wall is finished in days. 62

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