| |
Books of the Bible |
The primary author was most likely Ezra, but Nehemiah may have contributed some material.
Probably written around 430-420 B.C.
To show how God's people can come together to accomplish great things when they are working in His will.
The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (1-6)
Nehemiah's prayer about Jerusalem (1)
Nehemiah's work on the walls (3)
Opposition to the rebuilding of the walls (4)
Conflict among the Jewish people in Jerusalem (5)
More opposition to the rebuilding (6)
The rebuilding of the community of faith in Jerusalem (7-13)
Registry of the people (7)
The revival under Ezra (8-10)
The Dedication of the walls (12:27-47)
The restoration of the people (13)
The events of Nehemiah cover the period from roughly 444 B.C. to 432 B.C. This includes a second return of people under the leadership of Nehemiah. Artaxerxes I was the king of Persia at that time and Nehemiah was his cupbearer, a position of considerable prestige and potential influence. It is quite possible that the influence that Mordecai had attained after the events recorded in Esther had paved the way for other Jews to hold high office.
Nehemiah hears that the wall of Jerusalem is destroyed; Nehemiah prays; Nehemiah is set to Jerusalem; Nehemiah and the people begin rebuilding the wall; Sanballat and Tobiah oppose the rebuilding; The wall is completed; Ezra reads the law while the Levites explain it to the people; The feast of Tabernacles is celebrated; The people confess their sins; The wall is dedicated; Nehemiah returns to Babylon and comes back to Jerusalem where he cleans up the temple.
Nehemiah; Artaxerxes; Sanballat; Tobiah; Geshem; Ezra
Of first significance in the concept of rebuilding, first the rebuilding of the walls and then the rebuilding of the relationship between the people and God. We see the importance of revival and of a strong relationship with God. It is significant that the people look back at the things that God has done for them in the past in order to be strengthened for the future.