Ralph Porter

© 2002

Author and date

    Much of the material gives evidence of authorship by Nehemiah himself.

          The primary evidence is the use of the first person throughout the account (1:1-7:5;

               2:27-43; 13:4-31).

          Other portions parallel Ezra's style, or documents he may have used for his accounts

               (7:6-12:26; 12:44-13:3).

          Many people believe Nehemiah wrote from his own experience and then compiled the

               second set of passages from other available documents.

    Ezra and Nehemiah were originally presented as one book.

         This union was probably based on their contemporaneous character and common

         message, rather than on a common author.

    The events of Nehemiah occur between 444 B.C., when Nehemiah prepared to lead the

         third expedition back to Jerusalem, and about 425 B.C., when he returned on a second

         mission.

    The book was probably written at about that time.

Background

    Nehemiah's story begins about 13 years following Ezra's return to Jerusalem.

         •    The people had been back in the land for about 92 years.

      •    The temple had been rebuilt.

         •    The people had experienced a spiritual revival in 458 B.C. under Ezra.

    Nehemiah 1:3 indicates recent damage may have been done to the walls of Jerusalem. 

    The report of the condition of the walls motivated Nehemiah to action.

    Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer, a trusted confidant.

          Artaxerxes was willing to permit reconstruction of the walls, knowing Nehemiah would

              be in control.

          The king named him governor and gave him authority to lead the physical and moral

               reconstruction.

          Therefore, he led the third group back in 444 B.C.

    His second journey may have been contemporary with the ministry of Malachi; they

         address many of the same problems.

Purpose and theme

    The most obvious historical purpose of Nehemiah is to describe the circumstances related to the third

         return to Jerusalem in 444 B.C.

    Events include the reconstruction of the walls which provide some security to the people,

         as well as political and moral reconstruction.

    It also demonstrates God's involvement in the restoration of His people.

         He controls history and even uses pagan kings to bring about His purposes.

         He brought His people back to the land to reestablish them.

    Before God's plan can be fully realized, they must recognize His holiness and live holy

         lives, separated from their pagan neighbors.

                   Blessing will come on the basis of their faith and obedience.

                   If they are disobedient, they will again be judged.

    Nehemiah describes the kind of leader God is able to use to accomplish His purposes.

         Nehemiah's character, and his activities as a leader, direct our attention to the characteristics

            God seeks and blesses in those who serve Him.

Application to our life today

    What do God's dealings with Israel teach us about what He wants from His people?

    What do we learn about godly leadership from observing Nehemiah's character and lifestyle?

    What difference should this study make in your life?

    What do you plan to do about it?

Ralph Porter

Author and date

    Two distinct types of material appear to have been compiled into Nehemiah.

         1)    Much of the material gives evidence of authorship by Nehemiah himself.

                        The primary evidence of his authorship is the use of the first person throughout

                        the account (1:1-7:5; 12:27-43; 13:4-31).

         2)    Other portions parallel Ezra's style, or that of documents he may have used to write

                    his accounts in other books (7:6-12:26; 12:44-13:3)

    The two types of materials have given birth to two main conservative opinions regarding

         the authorship of the book.

         1)    Many believe Nehemiah wrote the book from his own experience and then

                    compiled the second set of passages from other available documents, like those

                    Ezra used in other books.

         2)    Others think Ezra wrote the book, compiling available documents which included

                    Nehemiah's memoirs.

         Since Ezra's known style does not include first person references to other people, the

              first of these two views seems preferable.

         Ezra and Nehemiah were originally presented as one book.

              The identification of these two books originally was probably based on their

                   contemporaneous character and common message, rather than on a common

                   author.

    The events of Nehemiah occur between 444 B.C., when Nehemiah prepared to lead the

         third expedition back to Jerusalem, and about 425 B.C., when he returned on a second

         mission.

    The latter date of about 425 B.C. probably identifies the approximate year during which

         the book was written.

Background

    Nehemiah's story begins about 13 years following Ezra's return to Jerusalem.

         The people had been back in Jerusalem for about 92 years.

         The temple had been rebuilt.

         The people experienced spiritual revival in 458 B.C. under Ezra-13 years before.

    While much remains unknown about the events which occurred around those described

         in the biblical books of the period, Ezra 4:6-23 gives a basis to make some assumptions.

              It may be that near the beginning of Artaxerxes' reign (c. 464 B.C.), there was an

                   attempt to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem.

              While Xerxes took no action, Artaxerxes was persuaded to halt the rebuilding by this

                   people which had such a rebellious history.

              According to Ezra 4:21, he left open the possibility of changing his mind.

              Ezra's trip may have been commissioned to assure control over the Jewish people

                   living in the area.

               Nehemiah 1:3 indicates that some fairly recent damage may have been done to the

                   walls of Jerusalem.

              The report of the condition of the walls motivated Nehemiah to take action.

    Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer, which would have made him a trusted confidant of

         the king.

    Artaxerxes was willing to permit the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem, knowing

         that Nehemiah would be in control of events there.

    The king named him governor and gave him sufficient authority to enable him to bring

         the needed physical, as well as political and moral, reconstruction.

    Therefore, he led the third group to return to the land in 444 B.C.

    His second journey to Jerusalem may have been contemporary with the prophetic

         ministry of Malachi. They address many of the same problems in the land.

Purpose and theme

    The most obvious historical purpose of Nehemiah is to describe the circumstances related to the

        third return from captivity to Jerusalem in 444 B.C.

    The events of this return include the reconstruction of the city walls which provides

         security, as well as political and moral reconstruction.

    The book also demonstrates God's involvement in the restoration of His people.

         He controls history and is able to use even pagan kings to bring about His purposes.

         His plan is to bring the people back to the land and reestablish them there.

    Before God's plan for His people can be fully realized, they must recognize His holiness

         and live holy lives, separated from those of their pagan neighbors.

              Blessing will come on the basis of their faith and obedience.

              If they are disobedient, they will again be judged.

    The author uses the experience of Israel to emphasize this divine demand.

    A special feature of Nehemiah, which appears to be a deliberate purpose, is a description of

        the kind of leader God is able to use to accomplish His purposes.

    Glimpses given of Nehemiah as a man, and his activities as a leader, direct our attention

         to the characteristics God seeks and blesses in those who serve Him.

Organization

    The first portion of the book presents the physical reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem

         (1-7).

    The second part of the book deals with the spiritual reconstruction of the people in order

         that they might serve God in the city and receive His blessing (8-13).

Argument

PHYSICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF CITY   1-7

    PREPARATION FOR RECONSTRUCTION   1-2

               The story of the reconstruction of the city walls begins with a description of

                   preparatory events which made accomplishment of the goal possible.

        His province with its trouble   1:1-3

              The commission   1:1-2   A commission came to talk to him.

                   Nehemiah first discovered the problem when a delegation visited Susa from

                        Jerusalem.

              The condition   1:3

                   The men spent some time with Nehemiah and reported the condition of the walls of

                        Jerusalem.

        His prayer to the Lord   1:4-11a

                   Nehemiah couldn't bear to accept the situation without making an effort to change

                        it. So he presented his concern before the Lord.

              Grief   1:4

                   At first he just sat quietly expressing his grief.

              Worship   1:5

                   Finally, he spoke; his words were words of worship because of God's faithfulness

                        to His covenant with His people.

              Confession   1:6-7

                   Conscious contemplation on God's faithfulness renewed Nehemiah's awareness of

                        the unfaithfulness and failures of God's people. He confessed their sin and

                        disobedience.

              Appeal to covenant   1:8-10

                   His petition before God was on the basis of His covenant.   Deut. 28-30

                   The people's condition was the result of their disobedience and conformed to what

                        God had promised would happen if they rebelled against Him.

                   However, He also promised to restore them if they would repent.

                   The promise of a remnant in the land is evidence that God was restoring his people.

                   Nehemiah was also calling on God as a representative of His people. His desire is

                        that God might accept this as sufficient for the restoration of His people.

              Petition   1:11a

                   On the basis of this covenant promise, and the obedience of him and others like

                        him, he prays that God will intervene and cause the pagan king to grant his

                        request.

        His petition to the king   1:11b-2:8

              Petition made   1:11b-2:5

                   While Nehemiah was waiting for the right opportunity to present his concern to the

                        king, he was apparently thinking about the condition of Jerusalem when the king

                        noticed his sadness and concern.

                   Nehemiah was frightened because he could have been killed for sadness before the

                        king.

                   His request had been carefully considered. He knew exactly what he wanted to ask.

              Petition granted   2:6-8

                   When the king's response was favorable, Nehemiah requested additional

                        assistance.

                   Since the king was favorably disposed toward Nehemiah and his program, the

                        additional help was not difficult to obtain.

        His preview of the situation   2:9-16

                   With the official backing of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah set out with his expedition for

                        Jerusalem.

              Presentation to local officials   2:9

                   He presented his authorization papers to the king's designated authorities in the

                        region.

              Discontent by local officials   2:10

                   When the local officials of the neighboring countries heard that he had come to help

                        Israel, they were upset, but they could not stop him.

              Survey of local conditions   2:11-16

                   Before presenting his plan to his people, he toured the area at night in order to

                        understand the situation and prepare places for his project.

        His presentation of the plan   2:17-20

                   At the proper time he calls the people together to discuss the plan.

              Plan adopted   2:17-18

                   He helps them recognize the problem and desire a solution for it.

                   They identify with his vision and accept it as their own.

              Plan opposed   2:19

                   When God begins to do something, the opposition immediately surfaces.

                   Local neighboring officials begin to mock and to raise questions.

              Plan assured   2:20

                   In spite of local opposition, Nehemiah's security is not based on local

                        circumstances.

                   He sees beyond the circumstances and places his confidence in God who has

                        brought him to this point.

    PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION   3-6:14

              Once the people have accepted the plan, the opposition has been taken into account,

                   and God's promises have been recognized, the people are ready to go to work.

        Division of responsibilities   3:1-32

                   Responsibilities are divided on the basis of families.

                   Each family has an assigned section of the wall.

                        The work was well organized.