People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 23

Nehemiah 1-3 

Nehemiah was a prophet and a high official serving as cupbearer in the Persian court of King Artaxerxes.  He gave up his job to become governor of Jerusalem.  He led the Jews in rebuilding the city walls.  His life provides a great example of leadership.  The book shows us the kind of significant impact one individual can have on a nation.  He was humble before God and didn’t claim glory for himself but always gave God the credit for his successes.  He demonstrated dependence on God and dedication to prayer.  He was wise, humble, hardworking, generous and committed to the holiness of the people of God.

Nehemiah’s Prayer – Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah heard bad news from Jerusalem.  The exiles who survived were back in Jerusalem and were in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall around the city was broken down and the gates were burned.  This was very troubling to him so he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed.

In his prayer he prayed about the following:

God’s character – God is the God of heaven and is great and awesome, He keeps His covenant of love with those who love and obey.

God’s people – Nehemiah confessed his sins and the sins of the Israelites; they had acted wickedly and had not obeyed His commands and laws.

Nehemiah’s desire – that God hear his prayer and give him success by granting him favor.

Nehemiah’s prayer revealed that he was a godly man and servant of God and of the people.  He was humble and had dependence on the Lord.  He knew if God would only listen and hear his prayer, God could help.

My desire is that I would always remain in the Lord and always follow His ways and not be influenced by the world.  I want to bear fruit and be an example to others.  I want to love others as He has loves me.

Principle:  Seek God’s guidance and act on His will when faced with challenging situations.

Nehemiah’s Request – Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah held a significant position in the king Artaxerxes’ court; he was the king’s cupbearer.  When he was serving the king wine, the king noticed that Nehemiah was sad.  The king asked what he was sad about.  Nehemiah became afraid for no one was allowed to be sad in front of the king.  Nehemiah knew what he was about to ask the king was very important and he didn’t know how the king would react.

In verses 7-9 Nehemiah showed wisdom by using good judgment and humility by praising the king before he told why he was sad.  He understood it wasn’t his place to change the king’s mind so he prayed and left it up to God.

He told the king that his home land of Jerusalem was destroyed and his city disgraced.  He asked for a time off to go to Jerusalem to rebuild it.  He also asked for letters of safe passage from the king.  The king agreed to his request and sent him along with army officers for protection.

God moved the heart of the king and sent Nehemiah to Jerusalem.  After 3 days there Nehemiah surveyed the broken wall.  He did this at night because he had not told the people that he would be rebuilding the wall.  Perhaps he was also fearful of some opposition.

Nehemiah gathered the priests and other officials and told them he wanted to organize the people to rebuild the wall.  He encouraged the people to start rebuilding by telling them that God‘s gracious hand was upon him and that the king had sent him.  They were inspired by his leadership and responded by saying, “Let us build the wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace”.

Of course there is always opposition when doing God’s work.  There were some who asked him what he was doing and asked if he was rebelling against the king.  Nehemiah answered saying, “The God of heaven will give us success.  We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to do it.” – Neh. 2:20.  In other words, go away and mind your own business.

Principle:  Spirit-led leaders should have courage of faith, constant prayer, and sacrificial service.

Building of the Wall – Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah organized the rebuilding of the wall by delegating different sections to diverse groups of people – priests, merchants, and various families.  All worked in unity.  They began with rebuilding the gates first since gates were the critical entry and exit points to the city.  The Sheep Gate is the first gate mentioned and the last gate mentioned which is symbolic that everything begins and end with the Cross. 

The Sheep Gate brings our attention that Jesus is the Lamb of God and represents how He was sacrificed for our sins on the Cross.  Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” – John 10:9.

Principle:  Much can be accomplished if you align yourself with the will and the plan of God.

This chapter is a good example of teamwork and leadership.  There were all different kind of people including men and workmen, spiritual leaders and laymen, white and blue collar workers, talented and unskilled workers, young and old, all working together.  It shows the importance of being a good leader; Nehemiah was a good example. 

Leadership lessons from Nehemiah:

Identify the need.

Start with prayer.

Align yourself with God.

Realize that God’s plans are bigger and better than you can imagine.

Know that God’s plans for each person are different and every person has a role to play.

Turn to God seeking guidance and strength. 

Understand the importance of planning and delegating.

Work alongside the workers.

Have integrity and commitment. 

When faced with challenges, remain steadfast. 

Inspire and motivate the people.

Focus on giving God the glory.

Commit to obedience.

Next week we will continue our study in Nehemiah.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 22

 

 

Zechariah 12-14

Israel Will Respond – Zechariah 12-13

Verse 1 stresses Zechariah’s words of authority of prophecy, because he declares his words come from the Lord.  The Lord is the sovereign creator and sustainer of the universe.  It’s a reminder of God’s power and relationship with humanity.

Verses 1-9 the phrase “On that day” refers to a future time when God will judge, protect, and restore Israel.  God will protect Israel and bring judgment on the enemies of His people.  It’s “the day of the Lord” refers to Jesus’ return, when God’s ultimate judgment and establishment of His kingdom.

Verses 1-9 reveal:

The key places – Jerusalem.

The circumstances of the battle – nations that come against Jerusalem, this will be the last battle.

The Lord’s response and the outcome of the battle – He will supernaturally empower the people to defend the city.

God’s relationship to His people and personal interest in the world – He is the creator and sustainer of the world.  Without Him nothing would have come into being.  He chose Israel to be His chosen people.  He established a covenant with Abraham and promised to make him a great nation, bless him, and through him, bless all the people of the earth.  He loves all people, but used Israel in His plan of salvation for all humankind.

In Zechariah 12:10-14; 13:1 God said He would pour out His Holy Spirit on Israel bringing grace and repentant prayer to each person and to the nation.  They will turn to Jesus, the pierced One, in repentance.  They will realize that they crucified the Savior and they will mourn and repent that they rejected. Him.  It will be a great time of sorrow and deep grief for their sins.  God will refine a remnant of His people through trials leading them to call upon His name.  Only a portion, 1/3 will survive the refining process.

Being sorry for sin and repentance from sin brings spiritual cleansing.  2 Corinthians 7:10 tell us that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…”  1 John 1:9 tell us that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  When we are cleansed of sin, we are restored to a personal relationship with God.

We all have a part in Christ’s death. He bore our sins on the cross so we might die to sins and live for Him.  “… But he was pierced for our transgressions…” – Isaiah 53:4-6.  “… by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24.   He died for us all.

This passage relates to Romans 11:25-27 in that God has allowed a partial hardening of Israel’s heart until the full number of Gentiles has come to faith in Christ.  God has a plan for both Gentiles and Jews.  Salvation of the Gentiles is part of a larger plan that will lead to the salvation of Israel.  This has not happened yet.

Zechariah 13:7-9 speaks of striking the shepherd and scattering the sheep.  This shepherd is Jesus who was stuck down in death.  Then the scattering is His disciples fleeing when He was arrested.

Principle:  God is at work in history and in the future; He is always in control.

The Lord Will Return – Zechariah 14

In the future on the Day of the Lord there will be conflict and judgment.  There will be a great battle against Jerusalem.  The city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped.  Half of the city will go into exile, the rest taken from the city.  The Lord will fight against those nations.  The Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a valley.  The Jews will flee to the mountain.

Revelation 22:1-2, 5 tell us changes to nature will accompany the Lord’s return.  There will be a river of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  On each side will be the tree of life with 12 crops of fruit yielding fruit for every month.  The leaves are for the healing of the nations.  There will be no longer any curse.  The throne will be in the city and His servants will serve Him.  They will see His face and His name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no light because the Lord will give the light.

A glorious truth is declared in verse 9.  The Lord will be king over the whole earth and there will be one Lord, and His name the only name.  We can live out that truth today by making Jesus our King and submitting to Him.

In verses 12-15 God will judge the people who oppose Him.  He will strike all the nations that fight against Jerusalem.  Their flesh will rot, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.  There will be great panic and they will attack one another.  A similar plague will strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the animals of the enemies.  Judah will fight against the enemy nations and the wealth of the nations will be collected – great quantities of gold and  silver and clothing.

Life is described in verses 16-19.  The nations’ survivors will worship the King and celebrate the yearly Feast of Tabernacles.  If they don’t, God will withhold rain and bring plages on them.

Verses 20-21 describe life in God’s kingdom.  God’s holiness will permeate every aspect of life.  “Holy to the Lord” will be inscribed on the bells of the horses and the cooking pots will be like sacred bowels in front of the altar.  All will be set apart to God and His purposes.

Sometimes we withhold God’s influence from certain areas of our lives by giving in to angry outbursts when we lose patience with others or when things don’t go our way.  Sometimes we can be stubborn, indifferent, insensitive, and selfish.  We can even be lazy with activities that don’t help us grow spiritually or glorify God.

Zechariah’s description of the future challenges us to trust in God’s ultimate victory, proclaim the gospel boldly, and live in holiness, anticipating the day when the Lord will return and be King over all the earth.

Principle:  The day of the Lord is coming and Jesus will be King over all the earth.

Next week we will continue our study in Nehemiah. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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