Nehemiah's Preparation  Vs 9-10

Nehemiah's Strategy  Vs 11-16

Nehemiah's Affirmation  Vs 17-18

Nehemiah's Assurance  Vs 19-20

Vs9-10 . What did Nehemiah do before he got to Jerusalem? Trace the route on the map that Nehemiah probably took to get to Jerusalem. How long do you think this journey would have taken and how far was it?

• Nehemiah visited the governors along the way to establish his purposes for the trip. This trip was about 800 miles and would have taken 2 - 3 months with the stopovers. He also probably delivered the request for lumber to Asaph to get the necessary supplies ready for construction.

 Vs 11-16  Why do you think Nehemiah waited 3 days and then did his research by night ( Hint: it wasn't jet lag) What do you think he was doing during the daytime?

• Nehemiah was establishing his leadership by meeting with community leaders and doing his new civil duties. He would have met with officials and heads of households to get a feeling for what they might contribute without indicating his intention. He had some trusted men who knew his intentions and helped him.

How did he carry out his research? (With other men and on horseback) What specifically is mentioned that Nehemiah examined? Why take other men with him? This is a key to leadership!

What obstacles did Nehemiah find? Where was the damage the heaviest?

• Some areas were heavily damaged. The eastern wall seems to be the most heavily damaged and would require the most work. It was impassible and would require more work than other areas. He would have come in from the north-east so he already had seen this part of the city as he was coming into town.

Some areas were heavily damaged. The eastern wall seems to be the most heavily damaged and would require the most work. It was impassible and would require more work than other areas. He would have come in from the north-east so he already had seen this part of the city as he was coming into town.

• He did not want to draw suspicions or let the cat out of the bag until he had a firm grasp of the situation and would be able to implement it effectively. He wanted to get to know the mood and how to appeal to the people to get their cooperation. He did not want to give the rumor mill and nay-sayers a chance to spread their negativism before he had a chance to present his challenge.

Vs 17-18  What do you think motivated the people to want to get started? How did they have more ownership of this project?  To whom did Nehemiah give the credit?

• Nehemiah presented the plan effectively in doable segments. He also told them that the king was behind the project and God had miraculously intervened by having the king provide the major part of the wood for the project. Nehemiah gave God the credit.

 Vs 19-20  Who were Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite?

What concerned Sanballat and Tobiah? Is there any modern day equivalent of this real lack of concern for impoverished and vulnerable people? Who might seek to take advantage of them? What could the church do about it? ( vulnerable run aways, rebellious youth, prostitutes, abused)

• Sanballat and Tobiah were not happy that they could not run rough over the people who had little to protect them. Nehemiah is presented as having a concern for the welfare of the people. His kind treatment of the people might move people's loyalty, based on fear, from them to Nehemiah who showed benevolence. Other issues of trade moving from their towns to Jerusalem which was on a trade route would also affect them financially.

  What kind of opposition did Nehemiah face? How did the opposition attempt to stop the work? What kind of opposition do we face when we try to mend walls today?

• Saballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried to discourage the Jews and derided and mocked them. They tried to use arguments of sedition and rebellion.

How did Nehemiah respond to the opposition? What character qualities do his responses demonstrate?

• Like David before Goliath, Nehemiah responded to their mocking by telling them that God was on the people's side and He would help them. He isolated Saballat, Tobiah and Geshem on spiritual principles.

 
Prayer: