Building for the glory of God

Nehemiah 3

From the sheep gate (v. 1), we follow along the city wall noting who built what and where until we complete our journey back at the sheep gate (v. 32).

• sheep gate (v. 1)
• fish gate (v. 3)
• old gate (v. 6)
• broad wall (v. 8)
• tower of the furnaces (v. 11)
• valley gate (v. 13)
• dung gate (v. 14)
• fountain gate (v. 15)
• pool of Siloah, sepulchres, house of the mighty (v. 15-16)
• armory (v. 19)
• water gate (v. 26)
• horse gate (v. 27)
• east gate (v. 29)
• Miphkad gate (v. 32).

Also noted are the various families who worked on the wall near their homes; and the various craftsmen who build with others of the same occupation.

Nehemiah 4

• Progress in the Lord’s work brought anger to the unsaved (v. 1-3).
• But the Jews were determined to work (Nehemiah 4:6).
• The enemy thought to sneak into the city, hidden by the rubble. Upon learning of the plot, Nehemiah ordered a general cleanup of the area. Watch and pray was the byword (v. 7-11).
• Nehemiah rallied the people with the phrase, ” Remember…and fight” (v. 14).
• The workers carried tools in one hand and weapons in the other (v. 17).
• A trumpet blast was the call for workers to gather quickly to defend the city (v. 20).
• Many slept with their clothes on so that they could fight at a moment’s notice (v. 23).

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Nehemiah. How does he manage?

In some old translations, this is called the second book of Ezra; likely because the history continues. But it seems clear that the book was written by Nehemiah himself (Nehemiah 1:1).

Nehemiah 1

• When Nehemiah, who was the king’s cupbearer (v. 11), received sad news from his homeland (v. 1-3), he sat down, wept, mourned, fasted and prayed (v. 4).
• He prayed day and night (v. 6), confessing the sins of his people (v. 6-7) and asking God to remember His promise to be merciful to those who repent (v. 8-11).

Nehemiah 2

• How long Nehemiah had been in the king’s employ, we don’t know. But we do know that never before this time had he been visibly sad in the presence of the king (v. 1). Was this hypocrisy on Nehemiah’s part, sound judgment and self-control, or was he a generally joyful person?  Which are you?
• The recognized that Nehemiah was not physically sick (v. 2), and asked the reason for such sorrow of heart.
• When Nehemiah shared the ill news from his homeland, the king asked Nehemiah what the king could do to help (v. 3-4).
• Nehemiah prayed before answering (v.4), and asking for a leave of absence (v. 5)
• Upon condition that Nehemiah return at a set time, the king agreed not only to the sabbatical, but also to help finance the project (6-9).
• Not everyone was pleased with the king’s decision (v. 10).
• Nehemiah quietly surveyed the damage to Jerusalem, and then encouraged the people to rebuild (v. 15-18).
• Unsaved neighbors were not welcome to join in the labor (v. 19-20).

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The rest of the story

In three short verses (Esther 10:1-3) the record of Esther and Mordecai is brought to a close.

Esther 10

• King Ahazuerus taxed his lands, near and far (v. 1). What king doesn’t?
• Mordecai was promoted to #2 man in the kingdom (v. 2-3). Remember that Esther could have had half the kingdom for herself.
• The chronicles of the kingdom record Mordecai’s deeds and greatness for us. You will recall that it was those same chronicles which saved his life from Haman’s cruel plot.
• The Jews accepted Mordecai’s leadership; and he spoke to defend their interests at court (v. 3).
• Moreover Mordecai sought peace for the Jews (v. 3).

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A Jewish Memorial Day

Esther 8

• The king confiscated the house of Haman and gave it to Esther (v. 1). What became of Haman’s wife?
• The king took back his ring from (the now departed Haman) and gave it to Mordecai (v. 2). Esther appointed Mordecai over her new-found wealth.
• Esther appealed to the king for the lives of her people (v. 3-6).
• Instead of repealing the order to kill the Jews, the king granted Jews the right to defend themselves (v. 7-17). The proclamation was made throughout the kingdom in the languages of all the people. (Why didn’t he just repeal the first order? Because repeal is admission of error; and Persian kings never make errors.)

Esther 9

• Jews throughout the land did defend themselves (v. 1-5).
• In the palace they killed 500 men, along with the 10 sons of Haman (v. 6-11).
• Esther asked that the Jews might have another day to defend themselves, and another 300 men were killed at the palace (v. 12-15).
• Outside the capital, 75,000 were killed in one day; and then the Jews celebrated (v. 16-19).
• The feast of Purim was established by Esther and Mordecai (v. 20-32). Excuse me, did God order the feast?

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