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Nehemiah’s blog The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ~Nehemiah 1:1-4
Nehemiah Nehemiah means “the Lord consoles” “Cupbearer to the King” Artaxerxes (465- 424 BC) Twentieth Year – 445 BC Chislev – November/December Susa – Winter palace of the Persian Kings
Nehemiah’s blog • Nehemiah’s Concern for the Things of God • (1:1-3) • Nehemiah’s Compassion for the Things of God • (1:4)
The Problem The People of God In exile The Land of Promise Occupied by strangers The Place of Worship Destroyed The City of God Rubble
Expansive Peace Stability Destruction Deportation Return Rebuilding Expansive Language Culture Babylonians Romans Persians Greeks Nebuchadnezzar 586 BC Republic -> Empire Julius Caesar 44 BC Cyrus 536 BC Artaxerxes 445 BC Alexander the Great 335 BC
The Problem The People of God In exile The Land of Promise Occupied by strangers The Place of Worship Destroyed The City of God Rubble Solution
The Problem The People of God The Land of Promise The Place of Worship The City of God Rubble Solution The people return and rebuild the temple Ezra
The Problem The People of God The Land of Promise The Place of Worship The City of God Solution The people return and rebuild the temple Ezra The people return and rebuild Jerusalem nehemiah
Nehemiah’s blog • Nehemiah’s Concern for the Things of God (1:1-3) • He asked about the City of God and the People of God
Our Concerns . . . ? SWe are more concerned about material blessings than spiritual blessings SWe are more concerned about having a good reputation than a godly character SWe are more concerned about what we DO than what we ARE SWe are more concerned about personal desires than God’s will
>Determine: What concerns really dominate my life? >Decide: I want make it my top priority to care about what God cares about >Find out: Where God is at work in the world Principles for Leadership and Service