Nehemiah Dig-in Recap

Hey everyone,

Last Saturday (April 7) we had our last dig-in (aka 24hr bible study) for the school year. We studied the book of Nehemiah, and it was simply awesome! (both hopeful and depressing at the same time) And so I've posted a couple of notes below about some points that we learned. If there's more you'd like to share, feel free to put it in the comments. :)

And if you'd like to ask questions or discuss, put those in the comments as well.

So why did we study Nehemiah? Because currently at Caltech, we are in trying times (and for some, they have a lot of turmoil in their lives). So our focus was to learn how we should deal with trial, how we can help one another, and how we can help the non-Christians with us as well.

Read the full post to find out what we learned!

Edit 4/16/12: Added the historical context and timeline preceding the events in Nehemiah. Scroll all the way down to read. Props to Tim :)

(I know if I put down literally everything, it'd be too long and no one would read it, so here're what I thought were the one or two biggest points we discussed per chapter (totals to about 15 different points))

Nehemiah 1:4

The first thing Neh did was fast and pray. Fasting/controlling an everyday activity (like eating) is a very tangible reminder to look to God. Praying helps us to center and prepare ourselves in God and rely on him (rely on him before you take immediate action, b/c immediate action does not always help).

Nehemiah 1:6-7

Neh didn't necessarily commit these sins, thus he is interceding for the Jews. Neh is a Persian governor (not a prophet nor a priest), so he doesn't exactly have the spiritual authority to intercede, yet he still did so. Moreover, we are a royal priesthood (1Peter 2:9), far greater than any prophet or priest in the old testament :) So let us intercede for one another.

Nehemiah 2:7-8

We need both planning (chapter 2) and prayer (chapter 1). Without planning, we cannot do anything. Without prayer, we don't know what the right thing to do is (we are not in tune with God). Do both, because God won't do it all for you if you only pray and do nothing (Ezekiel 34)

Nehemiah 2:16

Neh had not yet told the Jews; he wanted to make a detailed plan before engaging everyone else. We should follow similarly if we decide to lead a small group and whatnot. Also, it's good to include everyone in charge (eg. CCF counsel) to let them know what's going on and what your ideas are. Communication is important.

Nehemiah 3 - building the wall

Walls define us; walls protect us. Something that breaks walls down is Christians not acting like Christians. Eg. sin breaks down the wall separating us from the world around us. We want to live as God lives with us (in love, in righteousness) and sinning breaking that down.

At the same time, anything you try to build will always be faced with opposition (eg. prayer life with God, career, friendship, small group...) How do you respond to this opposition? Prayer. Complain to God.

Nehemiah 4:12

Neh faces continued criticism. Neh is careful with picking fights (you don't have to respond to every criticism or argument starter) and when he does pick a fight (eg. defending the walls of Jerusalem) he makes sure that he doesn't lose that fight. We could say that you should stand your ground, but do go around picking fights. Be wise about it.

Nehemiah 5:6

"I was very angry" Looking at Ephesians (btw, we did a dig-in Eph last term), it says in your anger do not sin. So the emotion of being angry is not wrong (it's completely right to be angry about injustices!); the main issue is whether you decide to do something about it or not. The way of the people of God is not about emotions but about the truth.

Nehemiah 5:7-8

Taking advantage of your brethren. If we look at Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, etc. we can see the immensity and severity of God's grace (eg. the year of Jubilee every 7yrs). You are commanded to provide for your brothers' needs.

Nehemiah 6:3

There may be two good things offered to you, but in many cases one thing is more important than the other (eg. finishing the walls of Jerusalem vs. talking w/ Sanballat and Tobiah). Learn how to say no to people. There's a lot of good you could do (eg. helping someone with a problem set) but you have to set your priorities wisely (and that differs between each person).

Nehemiah 6:10-12

Just because someone seems very spiritual and trustworthy, if what they're saying/doing is not spiritual, then do not fall for it. You will get a lot of advice throughout your life, but don't listen to all of it. (Hence it's important to be familiar with the scripture so you can discern).

Nehemiah 8:10

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" means that the gladness of God fortifies you (note: don't misinterpret this verse; it is not saying you must be happy at all  times). God is joyful, you are not necessarily joyful. It's okay to be sad. Just know that God's joy protects you. :)

Nehemiah 8:17, 10:35

Festival of the booths (aka Sukkot) is just as important as Passover (Passover is very serious and doctrinally important, while Sukkot is complete unadulterated joy) . It's important to God that we rejoice in him :)

Tithe of the firstfruits speaks of (this sounds like a joke, but I'm saying this seriously as well) taking a tenth of your first real paycheck and spending it to buy whatever to celebrate with your friends and just enjoy the Lord.

And while you enjoy all these things in the Lord, don't feel guilty for not doing it sooner (in fact, don't feel guilty for not doing anything you didn't learn before, because at that time you didn't learn it yet!) Just be joyful of it.

Nehemiah 13:17

Keeping the Sabbath: it's so important to make time for God and not work yourselves to death (make time to spend with your family, with fellow brothers and sisters

Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31

"Remember me for good"; he’s not being cocky. He’s put in at least 12 yrs of his life into rebuilding this place and he has God as his number one, but there’s no one supporting him. No one. The leaders are corrupt/incapable, the servants are all off working instead of serving, everyone’s a workaholic. Doesn't seem like he has many supporters. So he’s crying out to God to remember the good he’s done. Nehemiah is storing treasures in heaven (which is what we should do too). Are you storing up your treasures in heaven?

Also, let's keep praying for our leaders. They've been going through a lot this past year, and it's good to support and encourage them (just like how Nehemiah needs support and encouragement).

Timeline (taken from ESV study Bible)
586 B.C. - Final destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
539 B.C. - Cyrus the Great captures Babylon, exiles return.
536 B.C. - Temple rebuilding begins.
530 B.C. - Cyrus dies, and is succeeded by Cambyses. Temple rebuilding ceases.
522 B.C. - Cambyses dies, and is succeeded by Darius.
520 B.C. - Temple rebuilding resumes.
516 B.C. - Temple construction completed.
486 B.C. - Darius dies, and is succeeded by Xerxes.
483 - 473 B.C. - Book of Esther.
465 B.C. - Xerxes dies, and is succeeded by Artaxerxes.
458 B.C. - Ezra arrives in Jerusalem.
445 B.C. - Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem. Wall is completed in 52 days.
433 B.C. - Nehemiah returns to the king.
??? B.C. - Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to remove corruption.

Historical context (Ezra)

Following his capture of Babylon, Cyrus was called by God to send the exiles back to Jerusalem and have them rebuild the temple. The exiles first rebuilt the altar, and then began construction on the temple. However, they were constantly harassed by various enemies. After the death of Cyrus, work on the temple was halted for 10 years. Under the influence of Haggai and Zechariah, the work on the temple was continued. After an investigation, Darius confirmed from the royal archives the original decree of Cyrus, and ordered the temple to be completed, funded entirely by the royal treasury. After the completion of the temple, the Jews celebrated Passover.

We now skip forward over 50 years, to the time of Ezra. Ezra receives the favor of Artaxerxes, and is ordered to return to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices and to teach the Law. Ezra finds that the Jews have intermarried with foreigners, and is appalled. He prays for forgiveness for people, and a proclamation is issued asking all of the men of Judah and Benjamin to assemble and to recommit themselves to the LORD by separating themselves from foreigners. This is done temporarily.