Journal Through the Bible: Week 103 Wednesday

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Nehemiah chapter 3

The occupations of the men (and women!) working on the wall are amazing. People from all walks of life - from the nobles and goldsmiths on down - worked on the wall. Although reading the list of workers might be considered by some to be as boring as reading genealogies, it is really quite interesting to see how God used so many people to restore the walls of Jerusalem.

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• It isn't a harvest that Nehemiah's workers are working, but it is an important assignment given to the people of God. Jesus calls workers as His laborers, too. It doesn't matter whether we use the analogy of working in the fields or building the Kingdom, our Master told us to work!

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 103 Tuesday

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Nehemiah chapter 2

Nehemiah had been praying about 4 months when he was given the opportunity to speak to the king about the need in Jerusalem. His first prayer, the one found in chapter 1, was probably prayed many times during those months, but his second prayer, the one found in chapter 2, was devised hurriedly. Even if it was a quick prayer it seems obvious by the answers that Nehemiah gave to the king and the requests he made of Artaxerxes that he had been considering travel plans and material lists prior to this opportunity. He was ready when God opened the door for him to make his petition to the king.

Once he was in Jerusalem Nehemiah made a preliminary survey on the third evening after entering the city. He had not yet told anyone his purpose for being there. He waited until he had grasped the situation before telling the officials, priests, nobles, and other Jews why he had come.

Does God issue any commands?

• No, God did not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• God made Nehemiah no promises, but He did grant him favor with Artaxerxes when he made his request. (2:8, 18)
• When confronted by adversaries in Jerusalem, Nehemiah believed that God would prosper the builders. His belief was based upon the prayers that God had answered.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the God of heaven.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Nehemiah told the foreigners that attempted to discourage the builders that they had no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem. The same is true about the New Jerusalem. Those who have no citizenship in Heaven have no portion, nor right, nor memorial there. Only those who are God's children, meaning those who have been made citizens through the blood of Jesus Christ, will inherit the New Jerusalem.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 103 Monday

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Nehemiah chapter 1

Ezra had already been in Jerusalem for a few years when Hanani and certain men of Judah returned to Shushan with news of the broken walls and burned gates.

There is a great lesson to be learned from Nehemiah: When something burdens an individual so much that he or she mourns, fasts, and prays about the situation for several days it seems likely that God will put that person in a position to make the needed change.

Notice that Nehemiah did not just make his request known. He also confessed his sins and those of his nation. He followed the ACTS of prayer formula! (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)

Does God issue any commands?

• No, but Nehemiah referenced God's commands in his prayer.

Does God make any promises?

• No, but Nehemiah referenced God's promises in his prayer.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• In this passage Nehemiah was the intercessor for his people. Jesus is our intercessor.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• This chapter talks of sins, repentance, and better days to come for those who are God's children. All are based upon the hope Nehemiah had in God as a promise-keeper. When we confess our sins we become God's child which entitles us to a glorious future. We believe this because we believe God keeps His promises as given in the scriptures.

TAKE TIME: July 27-August 1, 2015 Schedule

Introduction:  Nehemiah is the last book we will read in the Old Testament chronology. After this we will read any psalms that we did not study previously and Proverbs. Nehemiah was the contemporary of Ezra and Esther.Nehemiah was actually the king's cupbearer. He makes reference to Queen Esther in 2:6.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Nehemiah chapter 1
• Tuesday - Nehemiah chapter 2
• Wednesday - Nehemiah chapter 3
• Thursday - Nehemiah chapter 4
• Friday - Nehemiah chapter 5
• Saturday - Nehemiah chapter 6

Memory Verse

 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me, And they said, Let us rise up and build. so they strengthened their hands for this good work. Nehemiah 2:18


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the Great Remodeler! He rebuilds broken lives and makes all things new!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
It is time to rise up and build. The work is never easy but the needs of the Kingdom are great! One day the New Jerusalem will appear on the New Earth and we will not need to work on its walls. But for now there is a great amount of work to be done. Find your place on the wall and begin to work there. (The opportunities are available for great mission work to be done. Don't let the obstacles keep you from doing the work of the Great Commission, the commandment for building that Jesus gave to us before He returned to Heaven.)