5.9 Nehemiah 5-8:1

Derek Neises

5.9.2020

Nehemiah 5-8:1

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

As the Jews were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, some problems began to arise. First off, the wealthy land-owning Jews in the time were extorting the poorer Jews and making them their subjects. They were charging their fellow Jews interest in the money they lend them and causing them to sell their daughters and become slaves to their own kind. This gets the attention of Nehemiah and he confronts the Jews who were doing this, and they agree to give back what they have taken.  Another problem that arises is that the builders of the wall receive opposition for building it from neighboring towns after the wall is completed in only 52 days.

What is one key verse?

“So, the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” Nehemiah 6:15-16

How does what you read change your vision of God?

God is eager to do the work of his people. Building the wall in only 52 days was nothing short of a miracle. The neighboring cities did not even believe it was possible in Ne 4:1-3. But God blesses those who get up and do his work.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

When the enemies of the Jews building the wall saw how quickly its was built, fear overtook them because they knew it was the power of God that it was built. It says that they lost their self-confidence. This reminds me that trusting in the Lord to work on my behalf will always trump over any self-confidence I have. Whether that confidence in my finances, abilities, or physical strength.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

“I want to give God something to bless.” One of the brothers that recently moved away from Dekalb has this as his motto and I think it’s a very accurate statement. I cannot just sit around waiting for God to move. I need to start building my own walls, not on my own strength, but relying on the God who provides.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

I see Jesus’ teachings reflected a lot in the section where Nehemiah was rebuking the nobles for how they were treating the poorer Jews. Jesus entire nature was to be that of a servant and was always eager to give than to receive. “More blessed is it to give than to receive.”