Nehemiah 01

                                                                                                                                         
v 1. Son of Hachaliah distinguishes this Nehemiah from the one who returned with Zerubbabel, Ezra 2:2, or the son of Azbuk, who helped repair the wall, Neh. 3:16. Nehemiah was concerned on this special issue and gives no details as to his early or later life. This was Nov. - Dec.  in 20th year of Artaxerxes Logimanus. Ezra came in 7th.

v 2,3. Josephus alleges that Nehemiah met Hanani by chance at the Sushan city gate, but more likely he and others were on a visit or business from Jerusalem. In answer to Nehemiah, they reported the walls to be an as pitiful a condition as when the city was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar 142 years before. They had surely put up some type of defense, and this was a later destruction to affect Nehemiah so.

v 4. Verses 4-11 are Nehemiah’s prayer. We see his grief as he sat down and wept some days as he fasted and prayed.

v 5. He recognized certain characteristics of God at the start of his prayer, and uses the same term the Lord described Himself in Deut. 7:21, “great and terrible”. That is, “awe inspiring”, and keeps covenant and mercy. Similarly Jesus taught his disciples, “hallowed be thy name”, Matt. 6:9.

v 6,7. He persevered -- day and night, confessed, and like Ezra 9:6, 7, placed himself as one of the sinners, we, I and my father’s house.

v 8-10. God had promised scattering for transgressing, Deut 28:63-67, but also regathering if they would turn and keep His commandments, Deut. 30:1-5. Reminds Him they are still His people.

v 11. Nehemiah discerned that it was critical that he gain favor of this man if the work could go forward. In his close relationship as the kings cupbearer, (He tasted the wine and in that country held a confidential, influential position similar to prime minister and master of ceremonies.) so he was ideally suited to take his petition to the king, and he asked God to prosper him and give him mercy before the king.

Nehemiah 02

v 1. Chart of problems and responses, Zuck’s Bible Knowledge. Four months had gone by, from Jewish December to April, both in the 20th year of Artaxerxes, since the Babylonian year changed in September. These matters had weighed on Nehemiah so long that for the first time, he neglected to keep up his cheerful countenance.

v 2,3. Nehemiah was afraid, because if the king could discern he was sad, it was an indication he was not satisfied with the king, and his life might be forfeit. He wisely showed proper respect for the king, and having thought on this some time, instead of mentioning Jerusalem, a political issue, he appealed to the king’s respect for the dead, and his own sorrow that the city  of his fathers’ sepulchers was wasted and burned. While the temple had been rebuilt 71 years before, 515 BC, the city was still in ruins.

v 4. Artaxerxes was sympathetic to Nehemiah, and asked what he could do about it. This was not a case of Nehemiah  taking time for a prayer session. He had thought and prayed about the matter for a long time, so he simply breathed a quick prayer for guidance, much as we would if our car were about to go into a ditch.

v 5. Again, with great respect and humility and avoiding mention of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s request to go build his city was conditioned on “if it please the king”.

v 6. This was apparently a private meeting, otherwise the queen would not have been seated with the king. She was probably Damaspia, his one legitimate queen. The fact that the king asked when he would return, indicated he was favorable to it. That Nehemiah was able to set a time, indicated the thought and research that preceded. The time is not stated, and the original time may have been extended, because he was governor of Judah about twelve years, compare 2:1 and 13:6. 

v 7,8. Now Nehemiah boldly requested a tremendous favor, again conditioned upon “if it please the king”. He knew from the reports that their would be opposition, so he asked for letters of passage. He also asked for a letter to the man in charge of the king’s forest, Asaph, for building materials for the gates, temple fortification and governor’s palace. Nehemiah readily acknowledged that the favorable response of the king was due to “the good hand of God upon me”. This expression six times, Ezra 2:18; 7:9; 8:18;.8:22; Neh. 2:8; 2:18. 
Some claim with much proof that the beginning of Daniel’s “Seventy Weeks”, Dan. 9:24, begins the first day of the month Nisan in the 20th year of Artaxerxes, March 14, 445 BC, when the command was given to rebuild Jerusalem, and continues to the Triumphal Entry, Apr. 2, AD 32. Larkin, using the same starting time in Neh. 2:1, takes the time period to Apr. 2, AD 30. Others may figure similarly, but rather than trying to figure precisely, let it be God who does the figuring to the exact day and year.   

v 9. Nehemiah had not only the letters of authorization, but since he was going in official capacity and was probably already appointed governor, 5:14, he had a military escort. Contrast Ezra, Ezra 8:22, who was ashamed to ask help from the king after he had indicated reliance upon God’s protection. This military assisted trip probably took less than half the time it took for families to take a little longer, safer route.

v 10. Opposition was immediate, as secular records prove Sanballat was called governor of Samaria. He no doubt had design of control over Judah. He and Tobiah, his associate, were very upset that Nehemiah was come to help Israelites. This Tobiah is not the same as the Jew, whose children couldn’t prove their genealogy, 7:61,62.

v 11-16. After three days (which could have included any part of the day of arrival) of resting, praying and becoming acquainted, Nehemiah went out secretly by night with a few trusted individuals to analyze the situation and make plans. He was the only one mounted. These men could only surmise what he had in mind, and he was careful to tell no one, not even the leading men, until his plans were fully established. He started at the Valley Gate in the southwestern part of the wall, went down around the south end and up the east side. In the area of the pool of Siloam there was to much rubble to pass, so he followed north up the Kidron valley. He either went clear around the city or retraced his steps to the starting point.

v 17,18. After Nehemiah was sure he had a workable plan, he reminded the people of the deplorable condition of the city. Then he challenged them to rise up and build, and remove their reproach. Then he rehearsed to them what had transpired between him and the king, and how God had put it into the heart of the king to help them. At this, the people were encouraged, and with a positive attitude, set about the task of rebuilding.

v 19. In light of the troubles in Jerusalem today, it is noteworthy that Geshem, an Arabian joined in the opposition, which now stepped up. First they began with ridicule, then made accusation that the Jews were in rebellion against the king.

v 20. If the opposition seems to have ignored the letters from the king, It may have been because Persia was already loosing influence in the captured countries, but they are told that the God of Heaven would bring success. Nehemiah also pointed out that the enemies had no present or historic right to the city. We need someone like Nehemiah to take this message to Yassar Arifat and other Muslim-Arab leaders today. The Bible Knowledge Commentary quotes Donald K. Campbell with 21 characteristics shown by Nehemiah for effective leadership.
1. He established a reasonable and obtainable goal.
2. He had a sense of mission.
3. He was willing to get involved. 
4. He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal.
5. He patiently waited for God’s timing.
6. He showed respect for his superior.
7. He prayed at crucial times.
8. He made his request with tact and graciousness.
9. He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance.
10. He went through proper channels.
11. He took time (three days) to rest, pray and plan.
12. He investigated the situation first hand.
13. He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem.
14. He identified himself as one with the people.
15. He set before them a reasonable and obtainable goal.
16. He assured them God was in the project.
17. He displayed self-confidence in facing the opposition.
18. He displayed God’s confidence in facing opposition.
19. He did not argue with opponents.
20. He was not discouraged by opposition.
21. He courageously used the authority of his position.

Nehemiah 03

v 1. It was fitting that Eliashib as high priest set the example in being first to build. (Sadly, in 13:4, which takes place several years later, we find him consorting with the enemy.) The place of building was also appropriate, as the sheep gate was where sheep were brought in for sacrifice. The Lamb of God, “the Door” stands at the entrance of a Christian life.  It was located at the north end to the east on the wall. The next two towers were west, toward the fish gate.

v2. To the southeast of the sheep gate, people of Jericho built in the area facing their own town and homes.

v 3. The fish gate in the northwest corner was probably where fishermen from Tyre brought in fish to sell. Christ said, “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

v 4,5. Meremoth, a priest’s son labored here and in another section, v21.  Meshullam, helped here, but his daughter married trouble maker Tobiah’s son, 6:18. Some men from Tekoa, but not their nobles, helped here and on the east wall, v27.

v 6-12. The old gate may remind us of our old fashioned faith in God’s Word. Gibeonites helped, and unlike Tekoa’s proud nobles, a goldsmith, a perfumer and even two men who each ruled half part of Jerusalem humbly labored. Even the daughters of one ruler joined in the work. The former governor’s house was probably in use by Nehemiah when he replaced him, 5:14,15.

v 13,14. Work is joined to the Valley gate, about two thirds down the west side, the place where Nehemiah began his night inspection. The valley may remind the worker of humility, that he cannot always be on a mountain top experience. Then on to the dung gate in the southwest corner. This led to the Hinnom Valley south of Jerusalem, the city dump. It was the son of one of the rulers who had the humble task of repairing that smelly area. The Lord can use garbage collectors in His service.

v 15,16. The fountain gate was just across from the dung gate, but on the east side of the narrow part of the city. It was here by the king’s garden that Zedekiah tried to escape from Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 39:4. The sepulchers of David is where most of Judah’s kings were buried. The house of the mighty men was the barracks of David’s mighty men, 2 Sam. 23:8-39.

v 17-32. Several things are worth mention. “Next unto them worked...” No gaps were left, but all joined their work with others. Some worked where there was a need, even if they also worked elsewhere. Prominent people were son of ruler, v14; two rulers of Keilah, v17,18;  priests, v22, 28; goldsmith’s and merchants v32.
Many worked areas nearest their own homes or places of duty: Levites near the temple, v17; Benjamin and Hashub, v23; Nethanims water carriers near the water gate, v26: priests above the horse gate would have been near the temple, v28; Zadok, v 29; Meshullam, v30 in addition to v4; and the merchants were near their places of business and probably their homes,v 32. This completed the work area back to the starting point at the sheep gate. If the sheep gate where sacrifices entered reminds us of Christ, the Lamb of God, then this starting and stopping point would remind us that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith, Heb. 12:2.

Nehemiah 04

v 1-3. Babylon’s power had diminished to the point Judah could not rely on it for protection. In 2:19 the enemies had scorned the Jews and accused them of rebellion. Now the angry opposition was mockery and ridicule. Many a believer has weakened his stand for Christ because he could not stand up to ridicule.

v 4-6. Nehemiah was cut by the ridicule and took his problem to God in prayer. His imprecatory prayer may seem strange as we are told to pray for our enemies. It must be noted he was praying in God’s will to do what He had already promised to do to these enemies, Josh. 1:5; Gen. 12:3. He was not attempting to take his own vengeance, because vengeance belongs to God, Deut 32:35, Rom. 12:19.   By verse 6 the wall is half built, but later opposition probably made the last half go slower.

v 7-9. Arabs from the south, Tobiah and Ammonites from the east, Samaritans from the north, and Ashdod from the west, planned to unite and attack from all sides. The plan was found out and again the people prayed, but they also posted a watch.

v 10-12. The workers became discouraged from physical and psychological stress. The imminence of a surprise attack further weakened their resolve. “Ten times”, as used here, simply meant many times. The Jews who were helping from outside the city in chapter three came from at least Jericho v2, Tekoa v5, Gibeon v7, Zanoah v13, Bethhaccherilm v14, Mizpah v15, Beth-zur v16, Keilah v17, priests who lived on the plain v22, (Ophel, v26, was a ridge of hills inside Jerusalem, fortified for defense.) v aye. Apparently the work stopped briefly while everyone took up defensive positions near their own homes, much as they were assigned to build. People fight harder when their own families are at stake. Having lost the element of surprise, the enemies became less of a threat, so the people went back to work. However, now half of them worked while the others stood by with weapons, and even the rulers assisted. For added protection, even those working carried their weapons with them. 

v 18b-20. A trumpeter stayed with Nehemiah to sound any warning alarm, and since they were so scattered, all were to assemble at the place of attack. They were encouraged to rely upon God to fight for them. 

v 21-23. They labored from dawn till dark with half of them working, half guarding. Those living outside the city stayed inside for their own safety and to help guard at night. Knowing an attack could come at any time, Nehemiah and those close to him did not even take off their clothes except to wash.

Nehemiah 05 

v 1-6. Many of the workers were already discouraged from exhaustion and threat  of the enemy. Now those who have need are being oppressed by fellow Jews who have means. They have had to neglect crops and gardens in order to build, and now face food and financial crises. Some had to mortgage their possessions to fellow Jews for food and to pay the Persian tax, which was not excessive, but demanded. They were charged exorbitant interest and some had even had to give their children for slaves to pay it. Both were contrary to God’s law, Deut 23:19 and Lev. 25:39-42.

v 6-9. This angered Nehemiah and he rebuked the offenders on the basis of God’s law, particularly since it would bring the reproach of their enemies. In consulting with ourselves, we must use our own judgment at times.

v 10,11. Nehemiah was able to cite the good example he and his servants had shown by not doing what they were doing. He had rebuked their actions,  7-10a, but now he command them, 10b-11, to promptly restore the properties and the interest they had received.

v 12,13. They agreed, and to make sure they would follow through, he made them take an oath before the priests. Then he shook his garment to demonstrate how God would shake them out and empty them for disobedience, but they all obeyed. Paul used a similar demonstration, Acts 18:6, when he turned from the Jews to the Gentiles.

v 14,15. Nehemiah had to have been appointed governor before he left Persia,  or the appointment soon arrived by post, because it would have taken 6 - 8 months to go and return. Because he feared God, he refused the generous salary he could properly have had, and lived off his own means. Previous governor’s servants had even ruled over the people. 

v 16-18. Nehemiah did not buy land or exploit the people in any way, but worked right with the others on the wall. (While on a work project at Calvary Bible College, I saw the president of the college and my son digging a sewer out together.) The salary he perhaps still received as cupbearer must have been used to supply so much food, and perhaps other amenities for 150 rulers, servants and other assistants.

v 19. He was not being self righteous in asking God to remember the good he had done. We have a similar promise from God that he will not forget our work and labor of love, Heb. 6:10. He asked God to remember him seven times, v 19, 6:14 twice, 13:14, 22, 29, 31.

Nehemiah 06

v 1. The enemies were unsuccessful in stopping the work on the wall when it was about half built, so now it is all closed except the gates, they change tactics to craft.

v 2,3. Nehemiah was invited to Sanballet’s area, Ono, about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem as a good will gesture, but really to harm him. To avoid accusing them, he merely stated he was involved in a great work and couldn’t come down.

v 4-7. If they had been sincere, they could have come to him, but after turning them down four times the truth came out. The fifth message was an accusation, maybe based on rumor, that Nehemiah was setting himself up to be a rebel king. Now they threaten to report this to the king, so urge that they meet together as if concerned for him not getting in trouble with the king. Actually, they would have liked nothing better.

v 8,9. Nehemiah boldly stated that they made this up. Nevertheless, their words brought fear, so Nehemiah prayed for strength.

v 10-14 .Nehemiah trusted Mehetebel, who claimed to have isolated himself as a  prophet, and went in to see him. Nehemiah was urged to hide with him in the temple to avoid being killed in the night. This was a transparent lie, because God would not call Nehemiah from his urgent task to go hide. Also, not being a priest, God would judge him for going into the temple. He found out that Mehetebel had been hired by Tobiah and Sanballat to make him afraid, so they could bring reproach upon him. Noadiah, a false prophetess, along with other false prophets were working from inside to bring fear upon Nehemiah. This is a warning to us that as in 1 John 4:1-6, we are to try the spirits. In 4:4 he prayed for God to turn the works of the enemy upon themselves, but here he merely asks that God to think upon them, and leaves it to God.

v 15,16. The last portion probably went slower than the first part, because every one was handicapped by guarding and carrying weapons. They still pushed it through in 52 days, (Elul would be late September.) and the enemies were downcast, because the power of God was evident in Nehemiah’s favor. The trip to Jerusalem took longer than the entire building program.

v 17-19. Tobiah was a constant thorn in Nehemiah’s task because of his inside connections. His father-in-law was Shecaniah, son of Arah who had returned with Zerubbabel, Ezra 2:5, and his daughter-in-law was daughter of a man who worked on two sections of the wall,  Meshullam, son of Berekiah, 3:4,30. See 6:18. Msshullam had been a faithful builder, so he was either a hypocrite, or sincerely did not see how his connections with Tobiah were wrong. Also Eliashib the priest became allied with Tobiah several years later, 13:4, and may have now. So many letters went back and forth, all the while Tobiah was trying to put Nehemiah in fear, so the work would stop.
It reminds me of when we started a new church. A main line denomination had an old lady attend our services regularly for many months. She would report our attendance and other pertinent facts to her denomination’s state representative weekly. At least she was getting the gospel every service.

Nehemiah 07

v 1-3. Setting up the doors was the last of the construction and gate guards were appointed. There was still danger of surprise attack, and in view of 6:17-19, possible danger even from within.  Hanani, who had told his brother, Nehemiah the cupbearer,  the condition of the city, was both faithful and spiritual. With Hanaiah - ministers of defense. The gates were only to be open in broad daylight when every one in the city was up and about. Individuals were also to have a “neighborhood watch” near their own homes. We need to guard our homes from onslaughts of television and inter net. 

v 4-6. Homes in Jerusalem had been destroyed, so many of the people had chosen to live in outlying areas. Also those who had returned from captivity with Zerubbabel had returned to their own cities. Nehemiah searched the genealogical records to make sure the city was populated by those who were truly Jews. In chapter 11 we will see that he cast lots for one in ten who lived in the outlying areas to come live in Jerusalem to strengthen it. There were also some who volunteered to come.

Verses 7-63 is the list of those returning.

v 7-38 are individual family groups.

v 39-42 record the priests.

v 43-45 are the Levites, singers and porters.

v 46-56 are the Nethenims, those assisting Gibeonites at the temple.

v 57-62 are the descendants of Solomon’s servants. This Tobiah was probably already dead before Tobiah the Ammonite appears in opposition.

v 63-65 Those priests whose names could not be found in the registry were of necessity barred from priesthood as polluted. The governor, Sheshbazzar-Zerubbabel would not allow them to eat the priests food until they had a priest who could discern the will of God with Urim and Thummim. (A long time if ever.)

v 66-72. The Amplified New Testament conveniently gives the number in each of the groups above. Totals were: Congregation 42,360; servants 7337, singers 200; horses 736; mules 245; camels 435; donkeys 6720. The total number of people in Ezra 2:64 is much higher than adding those in verses 2-42, 58 and 60,  but it included women and children and probably some from the northern tribes. It is simple to round it off as about 50,000 returned. Differences between the lists in Ezra and Nehemiah are not significant enough to warrant my discussion, but for those interested, a good chart of comparison is found near Neh. 7 in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck.  Much can be explained by the fact that Ezra’s list was made before the people left, while that of Nehemiah was made on their arrival in Jerusalem. Some had changed their minds and stayed, while others decided to go at after Ezra’s list was made.  The governor, leaders and people all gave liberally, and again the amounts vary from what Ezra said. This is probably  accounted for by scribal error before it got to Nehemiah. At any rate, counts were considered satisfactory at that time.

v 73. Nehemiah’s great burden for Jerusalem began in Nov.- Dec. He brought his petition before the king in Mar. - Apr. The trip has been made, the walls built, registry checked, and by Tishri, that is Sept. - Oct.,  people had settled into their cities.

Nehemiah 08

v 1. Ezra had been sent back to Jerusalem to teach God’s law about 14 years before Nehemiah came. He is not mentioned as working on the wall, but perhaps he was too old for such physical labor. His teaching was interrupted during the building of the wall, but now, having been spiritually motivated by Nehemiah’s faith, they ask Ezra to again begin teaching from the books of Moses. It was a unanimous gathering in the street before the water gate in the lower part of the east wall.

v 2,3. Being the first day of the seventh month, this was the day which was to begin the Feast of Trumpets. Lev. 23:24, Num. 29:1. These verses with verses 7 and 8 show the point at which children should go to regular church instead of children’s church; men, women and all who could understand what was read and explained. He stood facing west and they stood listening attentively from morning till noon.

v 4. They had made a wooden platform, and those standing with him on it were 13 men who were probably priests, 6 at his right hand and 7 at his left.

v 5,6. As customary, the people were seated on the ground until he opened the scroll, then they stood in reverence for the Word. He read and praised God, and they responded  Amen, Amen, with uplifted hands, then bowed their heads in worship.

v 7, 8. Ezra probably read in Hebrew, but many of the people had learned Arabic during the captivity. There may have been as many as 30,000 to 50,000 gathered, so thirteen more men, probably priests, as well as Levites circulated among them to make sure they understood. They read distinctly (which we should always be careful to do), then explained it and caused them to understand it.

v 9-12. The reading may have been from Deut. 1-15, and the people would have heard a review of their national history, the blessings for obedience and warnings for disobedience, and the command not to marry unbelievers. They were convicted and began to weep, but the feast of trumpets was to be a day of rejoicing, not mourning. So Nehemiah and all his helpers urged the people to honor the Lord by rejoicing, not weeping. They were to eat the “fat”, not the fat of the offerings, but eat and drink that which was good, as well as give gifts. After the Levites had circulated among them explaining this, they left to have a good time feasting and giving gifts, especially to those who lacked. They were able to rejoice, because they now understood God’s law.

v 13-15. The second day of the month, only the leaders of the people, the priests and Levites gathered before Ezra for special instruction in the law.  They realized and gave instruction to the people how they should gather branches and dwell in booths.

v 16-18. It isn’t stated, but they probably observed the Day of Atonement on the 10th day. At least they had two weeks to prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles in which they would dwell in booths seven days. They gathered branches and set up simple shelters in the streets, courts, temple court and on the roof tops. There had been some observance of the Feast of Tabernacles, but it had not been properly observed for a thousand years, not since Joshua’s time. There was great joy as they heard the law read daily, then on the eighth day held a solemn assembly, all according to Lev. 23: 33 to 44 and Deut. 16.
Some one has said v 1-8 is intellectual response to the Word; v 9-12 is emotional response; and v 13-18 is a willing response.

Nehemiah 09

v 1-3. Two days after Feast of Tabernacles ended, the people gathered under great conviction of sin with fasting and in sackcloth and earth on their heads. They also separated themselves from all non Jews and confessed sins of the present and past. About three hours the law was read, another three hours in confessing and worship.

v 4-6. Levites stood on the platform or steps of the temple to petition the Lord, then others of them commanded the people to stand up to praise the Lord. These verses are an opening to the prayer that follows. It is not known who formulated or prayed it, but the Greek Old Testament says “Ezra said”. More than likely, he did.

v 7,8. God counted Abraham faithful and gave him this promised land.

v 9-21. Recognition is made of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the pillar of cloud or fire, and the giving of the Law on Mt Sinai. The Sabbath was given as a sign to Israel through Moses at that time. He speaks of water from the rock, manna, rebellion to appoint a captain to return to Egypt, and the melted calf, yet God had shown His mercy in providing health and preserving their raiment  throughout the forty years.

v 22-31. The prayer continues how God delivered the nations into their hand as they entered the promised land, but the people were disobedient. They prospered and then they killed their prophets and were delivered into the hand of their enemies, but when they called upon the Lord, many times he delivered them. They continued worse and worse, but in His mercy, God did not consume them or forsake them.

v 32-37. There is admission that they deserve what they are experiencing in the present situation, but there is a plea for the Lord not to consider their situation lightly. He admits that because of their sins, God is just for placing them as servants to other kings in their own land. The kings over them are prospering greatly, have dominion over every aspect of their lives, and they are in great distress.

v 38. The prayer concludes that because of all that, they will make a covenant with the Lord, and their princes, Levites and priests will sign it.

Nehemiah 10

v 1-27. Nehemiah is governor and sets the example by being first to sign. This is followed by 22 priests. Strangely Ezra does not sign, but he may be represented by being a descendent of Seraiah. The Jeremiah here is obviously many years after the Jeremiah of the book had died. Next were 18 Levites and 44 princes.

v 28,29. The people in general did not sign, but everyone who could understand took an oath that they would obey all the laws of the Lord, with certain things specific.

VERSES 30-39. SOME OF THE SPECIFIC THINGS WERE:

v 30. Avoid intermarriage with the heathen.

v 31. Keeping the Sabbath (no commerce); keeping rules of the Sabbatic year.

v 32,33. The half shekel at numbering and other situations was not adequate to provide all needed for showbread, sacrifices etc. The money promised from Shushan was temporary. The people volunteered to give a third of a shekel annually for temple service, funds which had previously come from wealthy kings and leaders. This temple tax was still in effect in the time of Christ, Matt. 17:24-27.

v 34. They also agreed to cast lots among the priests, Levites and people to provide wood for the continually burning altar. If they cast lots, our church is certainly on scriptural grounds in receiving a voluntary offering for fuel for our church.

v 35-37. They will bring in the first fruits of their ground and trees each year, Ex. 33:19; Deut. 26:1-3. They will bring their firstborn sons and animals according to Num. 18:15-17 and Deut. 12:6. First fruits will include of their dough, and fruit of trees to include wine and oil. There will also be freewill offerings. It is important that they bring their tithes to provide the needs of the Levites wherever they dwell.

v 38. The Levites in turn are to bring the tithe of the tithes they receive, to provide for the needs of the priests. (This is not as some think that the people were to pay another tithe of the tithes.)

v 39. This verse summarizes all the people have pledged from verses 32-38.  To make it a covenant which could not be broken, the princes, Levites and priests signed as indicated in verses 1-27. 

Nehemiah 11

v 1,2. With all the rubble, danger, and lack of commerce, Jerusalem was not a pleasant place to live. The rulers lived there, but one in ten families was called by lot to move there for added security and to gradually attract others. Sort of like a tithe of people to populate the holy city. Some others who had already volunteered to go there, and they received praise from the rest of the people.

v 3-19. This list of people may seem somewhat boring, but we must realize, it is actually an honor roll of those who gave up lands and income to answer the call of the Lord. This was an area previously inhabited by people of Judah and Benjamin, and people are called from those tribes.

v 4b-6. 468 laymen from tribe of Judah.

v 7-9. 928 laymen from tribe of Benjamin.

v 10-14. 1,192 priests.

v 15-18. 284 Levites.

v 19. 172 gatekeepers for total of 3,044 men.
A good explanation for discrepancy between these figures and those in 1 Chr. 9 is found in The Bible Knowledge Commentary,Walvoord and Zuck.

v 20-36. The rest of the common people, priests and Levites were scattered in their inheritances outside of Jerusalem except the Nethinim temple servants dwelled in Ophel, the fortified hills inside Jerusalem. This placed them close to their work. The singers probably lived in Jerusalem also, because they were financed by the king Artaxerxes. Some Levites of Judah moved to Benjamin.

Nehemiah 12

v 1-7. These 22 priests returned with Zerubbabel, so they lacked 2 to fulfill the 24 divisions ordered by David.

v 8,9. None of these Levites who returned should be confused with similar names who returned with Nehemiah. One of them had the important job of leading songs of thanksgiving. That should be a part of all our lives.

v 10-21. This is the genealogy of the priests. From this time on, chronology was reckoned from the succession of high priests instead of by the reign of kings.

v 22-26. This is a list of Levites, with v 24 being singers and v 25, gatekeepers.

v 27-30. It is not stated how soon after the wall was finished was the dedication, but all Levites were called in from wherever they had gone to live. The Levites, priests, and even the walls and gates were purified before the ceremonies were begun. This was probably done by the sprinkling of the blood of sacrificial animals or the water of purifying, or separation as it is called in Num. 19:9.   (Verses 27-40 are similar to Ps. 48:8-14, the marching around the wall etc.)

v 31-37. Nehemiah appointed two great choirs, both starting at the Valley Gate. One choir went counterclockwise past the Dung gate and Fountain Gate. At this point they went up the stairs and walked on the wall to the  Water Gate. Apparently they went down here and eventually on to the temple, v 40. Ezra led this group, v 36.

v 38-42. The second choir went clockwise and in a short distance, at the tower of the furnaces, they apparently walked on the wall most of the way, finally stopping at the gate of the prison, or the guard. Nehemiah followed rather than led this group. Both groups may have met here in a general direction east of the temple before going on to the temple. It would have been very impressive seeing these two groups marching around on the wall, and a humiliation to any of the enemy who said a fox could break it down, Neh. 4:3. This was accompanied by trumpets, other musical instruments, and loud singing of the choirs.

v 43. Many sacrifices were offered and the people rejoiced so loudly that  they could be heard a long way off.

v 44-47. Nehemiah used this opportunity to appoint people in charge of the storage of the offerings, first fruits, tithes etc. in the side rooms of the temple. He also placed the singers and gatekeepers, just as David had outlined some 500 years before. The people had pledged in their covenant, chapter 10, to give to the support of the Levites and the Levites to the priests. They fulfilled these obligations at least through the days of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 13

v 1-3. First impression is that this verse immediately follows on the same day as the dedication. However, we see in verses 4-7 that Nehemiah had left and now has returned to Jerusalem to be governor again. God’s word was read to the people as it had been in 8:1-6, and it had the same convicting power. The reading was from Deut. 23:3-5, where the Ammonite and Moabite were barred from the temple forever for their attempt to curse and the seduction of Israel in Num. 22-25. As earlier, the people are convicted of sin and separate from the mixed multitude.

v 4,5. This alliance may have begun earlier or a result of the marriage alliance of 13:28, but it was sacrilegious for him to have allowed the temple chambers to be used by anyone, much less Tobiah, who hindered the building and threatened Nehemiah.

v 6-9. Nehemiah had been governor 12 years and come back to, perhaps Susa, in 432 BC. He may have been there a couple of years or more and got permission to return to Jerusalem. He was shocked to learn the enemy Tobiah had been given chambers in the temple court, and threw out all his things. Then he gave orders that the chambers were to be cleansed, and the proper vessels and offerings restored.

v 10-14. The people had gone back on every provision of their covenant. of chapter 10. The Levites had returned to their fields because of lack of support. Malachi may have been ministering at this time, because we find his rebuke of the same thing  in Mal. 3:8-10. Nehemiah rebuked the rulers and put Levites and singers back in their proper stations. All Judah again brought their tithes and offerings, and to see they were properly handled, he appointed four men he knew to be faithful, a priest, scribe, and two Levites to oversee and distribute the offerings. In 5:19; 13:14; and 13:22,31 he asks God to remember him. In this he is not asking for a reward, but claiming the same promise we have in Heb. 6:10, that God will not forget our work and labor of love. This can also be considered as a plea to God for help in his difficult situation.

v 15,16. In violation of their pledge to keep the Sabbath, men were working on the Sabbath, buying and selling their produce and buying from  merchants of Tyre.

v 17-22. First Nehemiah rebuked the nobles with a reminder that it was for that reason they had been in captivity. Then he took action by ordering the gates closed as the Sabbath approached, and not opened till it was over. Moreover, guards were placed to prevent anything being brought in on the Sabbath. Some merchants hung around in case someone would slip out during the night, till Nehemiah rebuked and threatened them. Levites were to help guard, and again Nehemiah asked God’s help.

v 23,24. Next he observed the intermarriage, with children learning the foreign languages and not their own. The key to the apparent conflict of 13;1-3 and 23-25 with Ruth of Moab is in Ruth 1:16 is Ruth’s conversion to the Jews religion and people.

v 25-27. He took stern measures, cursing them, had some beaten, and pulled out hair, (possibly shaved their beards). He made them swear to discontinue their practice (made them give up their wives) and reminded them how Solomon had been led astray by marrying heathen, and it was a wicked act of unfaithfulness on their part.

v 28-31. Not only was Eliashib allied with Tobiah, v 4, but his grandson married the daughter of the other enemy, Sanballat, same tactic Midianites used Num. 25:6. Nehemiah drove the young man away for polluting the priesthood. Then he reset all the priests, Levites and people into doing their assigned jobs.

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In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking colleger courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.

1. Apocrypha
2. Confessions of St Augustine
3. Divine Comedy of Dante (Henery Carytr)
4. King James Bible
5. LDS (Mormons)
6. Martin Luther
7. St John of the Cross
8. Budhist
9. Christian-King James
10. Hindu
11. Islam
12. Judaism
13. Sikh
14. Tao
15. Zoroastrian

OUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE  DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen

08/19/2011