JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH
JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH
THE GODLY STATESMAN
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
7/1/25/ 2/9/16, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Nehemiah sets before us an example of Godly character and leadership. At the call of God, he renounced his life of luxury and high position in the palace of Shushan for a life of toil, danger, hardship, and opposition from false brethren within, and enemies without in the work of restoration. He was a man of faith, wisdom, courage and perseverance, a man of prayer and energy.
He received a “call” to lead the then State of Israel. With the “call,” he was empowered by God to fulfill his calling and commission.
The book of Nehemiah begins and ends with prayer. The story began in Ezra “From the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem…” (Dan. 9:25a) is completed in Nehemiah. Ezra, the Priest, had achieved the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of temple worship, but the city of Jerusalem was left unprotected against the incursions of hostile peoples.
The protection of the city and its population by the rebuilding of the walls and gates became the task of Nehemiah.
The book covers approximately 16 years, beginning about 12 years after the close of Ezra.
The purpose of the books is to show that under Nehemiah, the walls and 12 gates of Jerusalem were repaired and rebuilt; and the people were revived.
For the New Testament Church, it reveals the principles of restoration as well as the rebuilding of families, nations, and the Church. etc.
For the church in July 2025, after our many years of being harassed, embattled, and dismissed, we too are spiritually rebuilding what has been torn down.
Isa. 58:12: Those from among you shall build the old waste places. You shall raise up the foundations of many generations. You shall be called the Repairer of the breach, the Restorer of streets to dwell in.
The message of Nehemiah is God’s purpose to restore that which has been lost, and then to reconstruct that which has been broken down. The conditions for successful work in God are prayer, faith, love, and perseverance. God’s people must be separated unto God and separated from the world.
The essentials of restoration are the teaching of God’s Word; and bringing the people into worship, and prayer.
For those who are faithful to seek the LORD on the Sabbath, we have this promise in Isa. 58: 13-14:
If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Our Sunday Evening Prayer Service is a “seed” to restore Sunday evening church to the Body of Christ.
We as ministers, must bring the people into worship. We are blessed with a music ministry who worship the LORD and are not about performance, giftings, competition, and vain glory. Satan has destroyed many a worship ministry with those demons. It is in our weakness, not in our strength, that the worship becomes a sweet perfume unto the Lord. We bless him with our gift.
Prayer to the Lord to resolve satanic attacks is opposite of gossip and stirring strife. Intercessory prayer is vital and essential in the development of restoration ministry. Effective prayer and preparation enabled Nehemiah to become the answer to his own prayer. Emphasis is placed on prayer in chapter 8 as Ezra and the Levites preach a life-changing message based upon the history of Israel.
There are many prayers in the Holy Bible that changed the course of history. Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter one (1) is once such prayer.
Significantly the focus is not upon the leader, Nehemiah, but upon the life and ministry within and among the congregation. Translating his vision into action, Nehemiah faces tense obstacles and overcomes them with unshakeable faith.
Like all of the heroes of faith now and then, opposition from within does not hinder Nehemiah as he continues to labor for the approval of God and not men. Removal of God’s appointed leadership is impossible for man to accomplish.
The underlying truth in the Book of Ezra was the Sovereignty of God in general. The underlying truth in the book of Nehemiah is the Sovereignty of God in particular, namely, God’s instruments of Divine Sovereignty.
Human instruments of Divine Sovereignty must be:
1. Divinely chosen - in the palace of Shushan.
2. Divinely commissioned - to rebuild the Walls.
3. Divinely led - as God moved upon King Artaxerxes.
4. Divinely enabled - to finish the task in spite of hindrances.
As with the office of Apostle, a divine choosing would result in being an Apostle of “something.”
As with all the Holy Writ, there are at least eight ways to teach the book of Nehemiah.
1. The Holy Spirit is restoring the Walls of the Human Personality (realm of the soul). We are the temple and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Lord Jesus Christ left the “palace” (heaven’s throne) has come and is coming to build His people, the church.
3. The overcomers (a family of sons in the image of Jesus) are returning to Zion, and leading God’s people in the Day of Restoration.
4. The Pastor called and commissioned by King Jesus is to build his spiritual family (the local church) to overcome the hindrances from within and without.
5. The father who is commissioned by King Jesus to build his natural family (the home) to overcome hindrances from within and without by observing the life and ministry of Nehemiah.
6. For the church of the 21st century, we can surely apply this spiritual calling and leadership to rebuilding of the wall on our southern border of the invasion of illegal immigrants, sex trafficking, and drugs, which we have done through prayer.
7. Nehemiah presents credentials of a statesman “called” by God and empowered to do the work of His Kingdom.
8. Internationally the over-throw of nations and kings are relevant to the present overthrow of man-made kingdoms in the world.
The Kingdom of God continues regardless of who sits on earthly thrones.
The national impact of Nehemiah’s ministry is due to his uncompromising stand for God and His Word.
We are Kingdom people who have been removed from the land of sin and confusion. In the grace of God, Christians and born-again Jews are being restored to the land to fulfill His eternal purpose.
In the twelve years between Ezra and Nehemiah (458-445 B.C.) – “Megabyzos, the Satrap of Syria, had successfully defied the Persian King, Artaxerxes, and forced him to agree to his own terms of peace, thus giving the first sign of the internal decay of the Empire. It is possible the dissatisfaction of the satrap may account for the silence in scripture as to the events which followed Ezra’s reform. Deprived of the royal support, he would no longer be able to maintain himself as governor in face of the opposition he was certain to experience from the Samaritans.
It would also account for the condition in which we find the Jews when the book of Nehemiah opens. The walls of the city are still not built. Ezra has ceased to be governor. He does continue to serve as the High Priest of the Temple. The people are in great affliction and reproach. The Arabs are encamping close to Jerusalem. Sangallo and his allies are powerful. Priests and Laity alike have gone back to their strange wives.” (Archibald Sayce 1845-1933).
My purpose of injecting this historical information is to emphasize the wars and overthrow of thrones in the known world. Yet, in the midst of judgment, the Lord God chooses a man and sends him on Kingdom mission with Kingdom authority.
Nehemiah means “Consolation of Jah.” He stands out quite distinctly from all over Bible characters. His significance as an individual, and in Jewish history from the middle of the 5th century B.C., can be apprehended and appreciated only by the reading of his book at one sitting. For the practical Christian idealist, there is no more inspiring book in the Bible. Elsewhere is found hard work and religious devotion, but here they are combined. The movements of the book are swift because the inspirer of them is swift.
Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries. Both were men of God but from different professional backgrounds. Ezra was a priest. Nehemiah was a layman, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Ezra’s prime duty was religious. Nehemiah’s occupation was civil or domestic. Nehemiah’s expertise in the King’s court equipped him adequately for the political and physical reconstruction necessary for the remnant to survive.
Nehemiah stresses the importance of dedicated laymen and civil leaders in the work of God. Also, the emphasis that God is the one who chooses leaders for blessing or for judgment. He has his heart in his work. He was a man of prayer. He sought out firsthand information about the needs at hand. He engaged in self-denying labor. He was able to inspire others to work. He was not easily sidetracked from his work. He was undismayed and undisturbed by opposition. He was ready and willing to give the credit to God.
His virtues are many, and his faults are few. His example is a model for all who would be honorable servants of Jesus Christ. His was the example of patriotism, true piety, a healthy concept of God as the “God of heaven;” and “the great and terrible God.”
Nehemiah’s knew that God was to be feared, obeyed, and worshipped; hence the need to know Him. Great was Nehemiah’s courage, both physical and moral.
After twelve years he returned to Shushan to report, as he had promised to do (2:6) and when he heard how the people had sadly backslid in his absence, he returned and vigorously wrought a second reformation.
Nehemiah returned and vigorously wrought a second reformation. His integrity, deep earnestness of purpose, fearlessness, unselfishness, and generosity are evident throughout. Without the grace of the Hand of God on these two warriors, Ezra, and Nehemiah, it is difficult to see how the Jewish state could have survived.
Nehemiah was a:
1. Political leader
2. Warrior
3. Statesman
4. Civil Governor
5. Carried the anointing to bring material prosperity to the state.
6. Ruler
7. Architect
8. Prayed and effectual prayer of a righteous man.
Ezra was a religious reformer; spiritual teacher and guide; pastor and theologian. He was the instrument of spiritual advancement.
Neh. 1:1-3: The words of Nehemiah the son of Hach-a-liah. It came to pass in the 9th month, in the 20th year, as I was in Shushan the palace, that Hannani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah. I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped which were left of the captivity concerning Jerusalem. They said to me, the remnant that is left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates are burned with fire.
Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king, heard the sad news of the situation at Jerusalem. The rest of this chapter details his great sorrow and his effectual, fervent, prayer.
Neh. 1:4-5: It came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. I said, I beseech You, O Lord God of Heaven, the great and terrible God that keeps covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments.”
Every pastor in the church and every father in the home must know how to pray in (with) the Holy Ghost. Our Spirit is that part of us inside that unashamedly, totally loves God. The temple is rebuilt but look at all the rubble.
Neh. 1:6-11: Let your ear now be attentive, and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against You; both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which You commanded Your servant, Moses. Remember, I beseech You the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, If you transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations; but if you turn to Me, and keep My commandments, and do them; though there were of you those cast out to the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen to set My name there. Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I beseech You, let now Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear Your name; and prosper, I pray You. Your servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.
God will begin to mold Nehemiah into the answer to his own prayer. When the Lord prepares a minister for a ministry, that one will carry that burden in prayer until the minister becomes the instrument of the prayer.
This Artaxerxes was the son Xersus 1 and thus the stepson of Queen Esther. She had become Queen about 478 B.C. and had given the Jewish people great prestige at the Persian court. Esther most probably was still alive, and in influential personage in the palace.
Nehemiah 2:6 The King said to me, (the queen also sitting by him). Whether this verse refers to the wife of Artaxerxes or the Queen Mother, I cannot confirm.
Nehemiah was the member of a prominent Jewish family, for one of his brothers, Hanani, was the spokesman of the official delegation to Susa. Then later became a governor over Jerusalem.
Chapter 2 begins with Nehemiah going to the King and asking him to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild the gates. This is the cry of the Overcomer to deliver the ravaged creation. Verse 2:8b reads, “And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.”
Here Nehemiah pictures God’s commitment to free us from BONDAGE and CAPTIVISTY. The letter of authority from the King says that he has authority in Jerusalem, although Sin-uballit (Sanballat) (Satan) has had control in the Province. Nehemiah’s trump card to these adversaries was the WORD OF GOD AND THE GOOD HAND OF HIS GOD UPON HIM, not the letters of the King.
The key to life and ministry is our assurance of how the Lord feels about us. (Most feel that He is not happy with them). NEHEMIAH STATES WHERE THEY ARE AND WHRE THEY WANT TO BE.
2:18: Then Nehemiah told them about the Hand of God upon him and about the Word of the King. The people responded, “Let us rise and build!” So, they strengthened their hands for this GOOD WORK.
2:19: BUT when SIN-UBALLIT, the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it: They laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, what is this thing that you do? Will you rebel against the King?
These three men were adversaries, opposition and enemies to Nehemiah and his vision and task of restoration. The opposition took six forms (the number of man) in this book:
1. 2:10 Grief.
2. 2:19 Laughter.
3. 4:1-3 Wrath and Indignation.
4. 4:7-8 Fighting.
5. 6:1-2 Subtle.
6. 6:5-7 Compromise.
These three enemies represent, respectively:
SATAN THE ADVRSARY PICTURED IN Sin-uballit.
The carnal Mind pictured in Tobiah.
The world system pictured in Geshem,
In chapter 3. the Twelve gates of Nehemiah are a prophetic principle of the Lord’s chosen and anointed ministries and people standing shoulder to shoulder in Unity of the Spirit and the Bond of Peace declaring the Word of the Lord and revealing the glory of Jesus Christ to the world. The twelve gates = twelve experiences which do progressively unfold from Christ (the divine) nature from within each one of us.
Each gate and each name have a prophetic NOW meaning to the Gospel Church. Each of the Lord’s ministries is intertwined together to prophetically fulfill His Kingdom purposes in each of our lives, each church, Parachurch, and nations of the earth.
Neh. 3:1-2: THE SHEEP GATE – The sheep for temple sacrifice were brought in here. This is the principle of CONVERSION. The men of Jericho (fragrance) assisted along with Zaccur (remembered). This gate was the Alpha and the Omega of the wall! Everything will begin and end with the High Priest (Jesus Christ), One sacrifice forever.
We enter the door and become part of His flock. This gate includes divine healing. It was near Bethesda (house of Mercy). There were no locks or bars on this gate: the mercy of God is ever available to us.
3:3-5: THE FISH GATE - The principle of Evangelism, Outreach, Soul Winning. This is fishing for men with a world-wide vision. The merchants from Tyre probably brought fish to sell at the market nearby. “But their nobles put not their necks (their will) to work of their Lord.” They did not want to do the work of an Evangelist, for they were double minded. Like some today who despise the day of small things, these wanted to build in another part of the wall.
3:6-12: THE OLD GATE - The principle of Restoration of foundational Truths. This was possibly the Corner Gate of Jer. 31:38. God has been bringing back truth after truth since Luther. It means laying down our pre-conceived traditional (often religious) mind sets and receiving the Mind of Christ.
3:13: THE VALLEY GATE - The principle of humility, abasement, and brokenness. This is the secret of promotion. The Mind of Christ is the mind of humility. Suffering with Him is a vital part of our son ship.
3:14: THE DUNG GATE – The principle of separation and circumcision. The waste and refuse were removed from Jerusalem. Leave the dunghill. These areas of deliverance are personal. No one wanted this gate.
3:15-25: THE FOUNTAIN GATE – The principle of cleansing and purification. This was near the pool of Siloam. This is the principle of the laver in the Tabernacle of Moses. This gate was repaired by a variety of people.
3:26-27: THE WATER GATE – The principle of God’s WORD or TRUMPETS (a place of a clear word). This includes submitting to seasoned ministry. The Nethinims (Ezra 2:43) dwelt near the Water Gate toward the east. The work of the Nethinims was to carry wood and water for the temple. It appears the servant heart of the Nethinims kept the Water Gate in good repair. This gate was named for its proximity to the Spring of Gihon (breaking forth). The Bible actually gives no indication or need of repairing this seventh gate. Ps. 118:89: “Forever Lord, your word is settled in heaven.”
3:28-29: THE HORSE GATE – The principle of Overcoming and Spiritual warfare. The warhorse! “He that overcomes” (Rev. 2-3). Those who overcome have no dealings with the Harlot. “From above the horse gate repaired the priests, everyone over against his house. After them repaired Zadok (righteous), the son of Immer over against his house.”
3:29-30: THE EAST GATE - To emphasize that each of us are prophetically positioned by the Lord for his Kingdom purposes. The Lord named us The East Gate. This is the principle of newness of life, glory, and power. The Glory of the Lord again fills the Temple! The principle of the praise and worship in a new day! Judah camped on the EAST! The rising of the sun in victory as the glory of the Lord covers the earth! Possibly the golden gate, an entrance to the Temple area from the Mount of Olives. “After him repaired Shemaiah (heard of Jah) the son of Shechanian, (dwelling of Jehovah) the keeper of the East Gate. After him repaired Hananiah (Jah’s grace), the son of Shelemiah (Jah’s peace), and Hanun (favored) the sixth son of Zalaph (beautified). After him repaired Meshullam (reconciled), the son of Berechiah (Jah blesses).
(Recap of the leaders who repaired the East Gate):
1. Heard of Jah.
2. Dwelling of Jehovah.
3. Jah’s grace
4. Jah’s peace
5. Favored
6. Beautified
7. Reconciled
8. Jah blesses.
3:31-32: THE MIPHKAD GATE – The principle of judgment and reward. The Hebrew word “Miphqad” means “assignment; an appointment, mandate, a designated spot, censes; appointed place, commander, number; to visit; to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit.” This was possibly the Benjamin Gate. We could consider the open reward of Matthew 6:4.: That your alms may be in secret; and your Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly.
Mt. 6:6: When you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.
Mt. 6:17-18: When you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; that you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father which is in secret and your Father, which sees in secret shall reward you openly.
Running the race and the victor’s crown could also apply. Apparently, this was the Gate of registry. Thus, the principle of judgment in the Gate (Throne). It was located in the northeast corner of the city. “After him repaired Malchia (my king is Jehovah) the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner (principle of cornerstone). And between the going up of the corner unto the Sheep Gate (high Priest) repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.”
This is that place in the Lord where we are ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ.
8:16: THE EPHRAIM GATE – The principle of fruitfulness and double portion. This is partaking of His Divine Nature. The Father-Son principle of reproduction applies here. The people made booths during Feast of Tabernacles in the courts of the Temple and in the street of the gates (Water Gate and Ephraim Gate).
12:29: THE PRISON GATE – The principle of full commitment and rest. This is the principle of our being the prisoners (“Doulos”) of the Lord. Love slaves unto death. The principle of the son (pictured in Joseph) coming out of prison to reign.
Each gate = another progressive step of coming down and descending into the visible realm. Each gate = pearl – pain and Great price – that which is costly = fellowship of His sufferings. Not, just one experience but many. The gradual loss of the Old creation man and the gradual increase of the New man in the image of Jesus (Phil 3: 7-11).
As I taught each one of the gates, I found myself identifying my own spiritual journey as I have walked and lived as a Christian. I thank God for each brokenness, humiliation, rejection, persecution, attack, and life battle. Through each battle, more of Christ was deposited in me as I refused to compromise and held on to the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for the journey.
Chapter 4 breaks down the four attacks against Nehemiah. Satan’s attacks are totally predictable. Study chapter 4 when you are under attack and we know the drill.
1. First attack will be from outside – ridicule, mockery, naysayers, etc. (Vs. 1-2) The open attack was with a barrage of words. It is the enemy’s oldest weapon, and in the form of ridicule it needs no factual ammunition. So first was mockery. The problem of ridicule was met by prayer, and persistence. Anger, indignation, mockery, and disdain towards the work were countered by Nehemiah’s confident prayer in the realization that their enemies had provoked the anger of God.
2. Then an attack from within. - Conspiracy - A coup is formed. Usually, the first attack is the Praise and Worship (Judah) (Vs. 10).
3. Families (Vs. 12-14) Selfishness and probably jealousy in their families objected to them working on the wall. The taunts became threats. The open enemy said, “We will stop it!” The depressed worker said, “We are not able to finish the wall!” The half-hearted workers (with family, friends) said, “Success is impossible!”4.
4. Finances (chapter 5) Internal Greed and Covetousness There was a natural tendency to argue that too much money was being spent on Nehemiah’s project. The nobles and rulers were guilty of greedy desires, greedy practices, lack of compassion, and lack of the fear of God. Nehemiah rebuked the guilty and demanded restitution of their unrighteous gain to those from whom it was exacted.
Nehemiah was unselfish and did not use his position for personal advantage and gain. His commission from the Lord was to rebuild the Wall; not “get-ahead” or increase his personal fortunes.
In Chapter 6, as Nehemiah nears the completion of rebuilding the walls, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried intimidation to set a trap for Nehemiah. From open rebellion to crafty suggestion, the roaring lion becomes the slinking serpent.
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem tried to lure Nehemiah away to O’no near Lydda, six miles S. E. of Joppa; unsuccessful, they once again tried intimidation, but the Wall was completed! This event was consummated on the 25th day of Elul, the 6th month, (August-September) despite every conceivable type of evil opposition. The Wall had been built in 52 days. Jerusalem was again a fortified city only 142 years after its destruction in 586 B.C.
Neh. 6:1: “When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and there was no gap left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates) Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of O’no, but their intent was to do me harm.”
Four times they sent; four times Nehemiah refused.
This must be the posture and position of every servant of God. We must not be moved from our vision by what the flesh speaks. We must always hear by the Holy Spirit.
1-19, we see the PRESSURES OF LEADERSHIP:
(1) 6:1-4 - The problem of pretense, and craftiness, which was solved by work and wisdom.
(2) 6:5-9 – The problem of bluff and slander, solved by denial and prayer
(3) 6: 10-14 – The problem of treachery and attempted assassination, which was solved by prayer and self-control.
(4) 6:15-19 – The problem of subversion and the cliques of compromising brethren, which was solved by fearless trust in God.
“SO THE WALL WAS FINISHED’ In spite of the enemy’s best efforts to hinder or stop the worked of the Lord, THIS IS STILL THE BOTTOM LINE!
Through faith Nehemiah overcame---like the many other Old Testament saints who through faith obtained a good report, and through victory over evil has overcome and restored the inheritance of all the saints of the ages! (Heb. 11: 39-40). The wall of the new creation within the gates of New Jerusalem has been finished and sealed by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
6:16: When our enemies heard that we had built the wall; and all the heathen who were about us saw these things, they were very much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
Nehemiah had built the wall and now will begin to establish Government and Order within the City. Control and defenses will be established.
In the opening of chapter 7, provisions were made for the defense of the City. At last Jerusalem was a fortified city again. Hananaiah was given charge over Jerusalem because “HE WAS A FAITHFUL MAN’ AND HE FEARED GOD ABOVE MAN.”
Neh. 7:2: I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man and feared God above many.
The fact that both his and his father’s name, (Hachiliah), contain the name “Yah” indicates that his family were loyal to the orthodox Jewish faith. Nehemiah was a man who could be trusted, for in this period only such a man could have been give the post of cupbearer, for the father of Artaxerses had been murdered and he himself had gained the throne by a palace revolution.
The Law was read before the Water Gate. The 1st day of the 7th month (September-October) was a day of convocation. The effect of the Word moved the people into revival and the keeping of the Feast of Tabernacles.
The key to this chapter is the attitude of the people. They came with earnestness, attentiveness, reverence, worship, contrition, and joy. Most of all, they obeyed and practiced that which they heard. They walked it out beginning in this chapter to the end of the book. This is the second part of the book of Nehemiah: the reading of the law, and the reform that followed. Ezra now appears on the scene. The most logical reason for his not being mentioned until now is that he had no direct part in the work that was done in the building of the wall. The sword and the trowel were laid down and the people began to gather around the Book. From WORK AND WAR, WE TURN NOW TO WORSHIP. THIS WAS A BACK TO THE BIBLE MOVEMENT.
The United States has become Bible illiterate. We must pray the Lord will again give the people a hunger for the Word of God.
The work of the Holy Spirit through Nehemiah chapter by chapter:
1. The concern of the Holy spirit of Comfort for the people.
2. Provision and Patience of the Comforter
3. The Comforter teaches interdependence.
4. Learning to resist the Adversary.
5. Overcoming obstacles of restoration.
6. Keeping the Flow of the Spirit alive.
7. Accepting Responsibilities as we grow.
8. Receiving the Word (no condemnation).
9. Remembering the Covenantal word.
10. Covenanting to be Faithful.
11. Living in the City.
12. Worship and Dedication to secure.
13. The Comforter’s correction unto keeping the Covenant.
These closing chapters after the completion of the Wall include its dedication of one-tenth of the population brought into the city to live. Not all the population could live in Jerusalem. It was necessary that some of the citizenry maintain the fields and the flocks. God has no second-class citizens. Every joint is necessary.
11:1-2: The people cast lots to bring one of them to dwell in Jerusalem the Holy City, and nine parts to dwell in other cities,” And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem. These are the Lord’s Tithe (1 Cor.13, Rev.3:21; Phil.3; Eph.4). We are becoming the Tithe unto the Lord. This is the generous, giving nature, even the nature of God, as in John 3:16
We give our all. We give our best and depend upon the Lord for his promised rest.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX
Scripture from K.J.V. – I entered into the labors of Principles of Present Truth by: Kelly Varner.