The first time I had the privilege to preach through the book of Nehemiah was immediately following a sad division in a local assembly. It seemed as if the local testimony was on the verge of ruin. The saints had asked for something to encourage them. The clarion call of “let us rise up and build” (2:18), after a clear description of why the work was in ruins in the first place, seemed to be just exactly what they needed. Thankfully, the work has continued by the grace of God and, in the purposes of God, the book of Nehemiah played its part. It is an ideal book in situations where there is a need to rebuild.
A Simple Outline of Nehemiah
• Chapters 1-6 – Repairing the Walls or Reconstructing the Walls
• Chapters 7-13 – Reviving the People or Reinstructing the People
Alternatively we could look at:
Nehemiah the Man
• 1:1-2:10 – The Cupbearer
• 2:11-6:19 – The Wall-builder
• 7:1-13:31 – The Governor
Emphasis on Concern for the Lord’s Work
Nehemiah was burdened enough to inquire about the welfare of both the people of God and Jerusalem, the place where God had chosen to place His Name (1:2). This book can encourage us to focus on these great things today: the welfare of the Lord’s people and the place where He has indeed chosen to place His Name, the assembly (Mt. 18:20). What he heard in answer to his inquiry caused him to weep, fast, and pray. Would to God that we become so concerned for the Lord’s work that we are as moved as this man was!
Emphasis on Prayer
Nehemiah was first and foremost a man of prayer. It was evidently a habit of his life. Like other great men in Scripture, he was a dependent man. As he faced various difficulties, opposition, etc., his first recourse was to believing prayer. In a day where there is a tendency to run and buy the latest best-selling how-to book to try to find solutions to the problems in assembly life, Nehemiah will encourage the saints to get on their knees and seek the intervention of God (see 2:4; 4:4; 5:19; 6:9, 14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31).
Emphasis on Corporate Effort
It is really quite amazing to think that the people who built the wall had been there in the land for several years staring at the problem. All that was really needed was a spark plug like Nehemiah to get them fired up and working together. We have a beautiful description of how, shoulder to shoulder, they took their places around the wall and built the wall, each doing his own part, with some notable exceptions recorded as an eternal rebuke to them and as a warning to us (3:5).
What a lovely picture of corporate assembly effort, or what we might call body life. The work was overwhelming until it was broken down into smaller pieces. When each person did his part, suddenly the task was no longer quite so daunting (ch. 3).
Emphasis on the Enemy’s Tactics
When the people began to rise up and build, the enemy began to rise up and seek to stop them (2:10). When they were inactive and living in defeat and the testimony was in ruins, the enemy did not need to bother. Now they were a threat to him and his dominion. We might describe this as “the wiles of the devil” or his crafty ways to disrupt the work of God.
The opposition took various forms including mockery (4:1-3), discouragement (4:10), internal dissension (5:1-5), temptation for wrong alliances (6:1-2), and deceit (6:5-10). The enemy still uses each of these tactics today.
Emphasis on Just Keeping On
Despite all the attempts to sidetrack Nehemiah and the workers, the people of God persevered. They just kept plodding on in the work, one stone placed upon another (4:6; 6:15). Much of the work in a local assembly is just sticking to it: sowing seed, faithful attendance, ongoing prayer and visitation, and so on. Nehemiah encourages us to press on.
Emphasis on Spiritual Revival
The reading of the Word of God (8:1-3) and its clear exposition (8:7), coupled with the people’s good attention (8:3), produced profound results in the lives of the people of God. They separated themselves from all strangers and unto the Law of the Lord their God (10:28), confessed their sins (9:2), and once again began to give the house of God its proper place in their lives (10:32-39). This was followed by a time of great joy and rejoicing (12:43).
Considering all of this is valuable and encouraging for many of our local churches which are desperately in need of spiritual revival.
Commentaries on the Book of Nehemiah
Victorious Christian Service by Dr. Alan Redpath, published by Fleming H. Revell. A very heart-warming and practical book which will prove to be a help in expounding the book of Nehemiah.
Ezra & Nehemiah by Edward Dennett, published by Bible Truth Publishers. A practical book, especially in the area of application of the truth of Nehemiah to assembly life.
Nehemiah: The Dynamics of Effective Leadership by Cyril J. Barber, published by Loizeaux Bros., now reprinted in the UK by Christian Focus Publications. Mr. Barber uses Nehemiah to teach leadership principles and does a very good job in the process. This book is insightful in helping us see the value of visionaries and administrators among us.
Jerusalem’s Gates by Ian Taylor, published by ECS Ministries. A very helpful work, subtitled “Illustrating the Christian Life.” Brother Taylor shows the spiritual significance of each of the gates surrounding the city.