God’s blessings flow to the one who rejects the counsel of the ungodly, the lifestyle of the sinner and identifying with those who mock God—but flow only to the one who finds delight in God’s word.
As Nehemiah returns from Persia, he meets four major crises with fortitude and decisive leadership. He is a model servant leader.
The Exiles finalize the renewal of the Covenant with God and Nehemiah re-populates Jerusalem, while organizing the sacrifices, the priesthood and Levitcal worship in the Temple.
As the Exiles re-affirm their covenant with God, they review His faithfulness and is loyal-covenant love for them.
The Exile community in Jerusalem confesses the sins of the nation and reviews the faithfulness of their Sovereign Creator.
The Jewish Exiles in Jerusalem became the “People of the Book” as they heard Ezra read the Word of God. They engaged the Word with their minds and emotions, which then resulted in obedience.
Nehemiah neutralizes his enemies and completes the wall in 52 days, after which Jerusalem is re-populated.
Nehemiah is an exemplary servant leader in how he organized the wall’s rebuilding and how he dealt with the opposition.
As a leader, Nehemiah had to deal with threats from external enemies as well as oppression & exploitation within the Jerusalem community.
As Nehemiah and his people begin to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls they face mockery, a conspiracy from their enemies, and discouragement, fear and exhaustion.
