Brief Notes on Nehemiah

(Originally written June 9, 2008 in the Journal)

Notes on Nehemiah

Chapter 1

Nehemiah learned of the ruin of Jerusalem and prayed to God to be allowed to leave Susa in Persia and rebuild Jerusalem.

Chapter 2

Nehemiah asked King Artaxerxes if he could return to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem. Artaxerxes agreed and sent him on his way.

Nehemiah surveyed the ruins and convinced the Jews to begin rebuilding Jerusalem.

Sanballat the Horomite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab mocked them for this.

Chapter 3

The Israelites began to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. Tobiah and Sanballut became enraged at this.

Chapter 4

The enemies of Judah became enraged at the rebuilding of the city's walls. The Israelites armed themselves for any onslaught.

Chapter 5

Some Jews cried out to Nehemiah for others were lending them money at interest and forcing them into slavery. Nehemiah became angry and rebuked the lenders.

Chapter 6

When the wall was rebuilt, but the gates had not yet been sealed the enemies of Nehemiah plotted against him. Tobiah sent letters to the prominent Jews in Jerusalem to stir them against Nehemiah.

Chapter 7

The gates were completed and Nehemiah set up watchmen over them. A census was taken of those who lived in Jerusalem.

Chapter 8

"Do not be saddened this day for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!"(Nehemiah 8:10, New American Bible)

The people celebrated the Feast of the Booths as they had not celebrated since the time of Joshua.

Chapter 9

God is a God of pardons. He is one who is slow to anger and rich in mercy.
Ezra prayed to the Lord.

Chapter 10

The people agreed to the Law.

Chapter 11

The distribution of people in Jerusalem and throughout Judah

Chapter 12

The walls of Jerusalem were dedicated to the Lord amidst great rejoicing

Chapter 13

The Israelites removed all foreigners from their midst. Nehemiah rebuked the Israelites again for working on the Sabbath and intermarrying with the Ammonites and Moabites.