Unit 2: Prophets of Restoration
Nehemiah: The Captive Cupbearer Rebuilds a Nation | Bible Background • Bible Background • NEHEMIAH 2:11-20; 13:1–22 Printed Text • NEHEMIAH 2:11–20 | Devotional Reading • DANIEL 9:4-6, 15–19
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXAMINE why Nehemiah decided to restore the wall of Jerusalem and reform/revive the Sabbath law, APPRECIATE Nehemiah’s feelings and behavior in restoring the wall and reforming Jewish worship, and IDENTIFY ways to restore worn parts of the faith community and revive traditions that honor God.
IN FOCUS
Gathered before Georgia were the leaders of one of the area churches in her denomination. The church was about 20 years old, and until a week ago, they all thought that it was in good condition. Then, the pastor and treasurer had both abruptly resigned, and the remaining church leaders discovered that the church’s funds had been seriously mismanaged. The church’s checking account was overdrawn by more than $18,000, and checks were being returned for insufficient funds.
The denomination had called this emergency meeting of the Trustee Board. Georgia, the denomination’s chief accountant, had only had two days to prepare for it. She had sifted through the years of statements and reports.
While her days had been spent sifting through piles of paper looking for answers, her evenings had been spent asking God how He wanted her to handle this awful situation. Despite the carelessness that had been shown, Georgia knew that these people were hurting. Yes, she wanted to blame them for not recognizing the church’s situation for so long and take some corrective actions, but all of that could wait. What they needed right now was to know that she cared about them and what they were going through.
Georgia wisely sought the Lord’s counsel about how to proceed, rather than relying solely on her own abilities. When have you shown this wisdom? When have you wished you had acted on God’s counsel?
FOCAL VERSES
12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
18 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.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.