Author

• The Book of Nehemiah is part of a larger volume called "Ezra-Nehemiah." our modern Bibles, separate the two into distinct books. So as we begin reading in Nehemiah, we are entering into the middle of a story that began in the book of Ezra. The specific author of this combined book is unknown, but historically as attributed to Ezra, the priest. There are clearly portions of the book of Nehemiah, written by the person Nehemiah in a firsthand account.

Date

• Nehemiah 1 provides a very precise day and month as a starting place for the events of the book. "In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year" (1:1). "Chislev" is the ninth month of the year overlapping with portions of November and December. The "twentieth year" is in reference to the reign of Artaxerxes which corresponds to 445 b.c.

Genre

• Historical theology sounds like a big title for the type of writing found in Nehemiah, but with a little explanation the helpfulness of the title is apparent. History is obvious an accounting of events from the past. Theology is the study of God. So historical theology is a form of writing that catalogs events from the past for the sake of helping the reads understand who God is. This is different than other forms of historical writing that seek to catalog all the major events in a given time period. In Nehemiah, the writing is not attempting to tell us all the major events, but all the events that reveal something about who God is and how he interacts with his people. Therefore, none of the specific details are included, simply for the sake of historicity. What is included is always intentional for the sake of understanding God more fully.

Background

• The people of Israel had been warned by God that if they were to fail to uphold covenant obedience with the Lord, then they would be removed from the promise land. The failure to obey did occur repeatedly for centuries, and the result was each of the 12 tribes were removed from the promise land ("exiled"). The last of these tribes was Judah. Judah geographically was in the southern portion of Israel around the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied that 70 years would elapse before the people of Israel were able to return from exile to the area of Judah and Jerusalem in particular. This is precisely what happens. We find in Ezra 1 the initial return of exiles from captivity in accordance with the prophecy by Jeremiah. 

• The Book of Ezra describes the people of Israel coming back in two groups at separate times, the second of which was led by the priest Ezra. They rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. However, by the close of the end of the book of Ezra the city of Jerusalem largely still resides in ruins. 

• The Book of Nehemiah begins with a report back to King Artazerzes' palace - Nehemiah's place of residence and employment. The report is carried by men that are close to Nehemiah, and he hears of the city of Jerusalem lying in ruins. God uses this information to radically alter the trajectory of Nehemiah's life. For he becomes a man on a mission, with hopes to see the city of Jerusalem restored and re-inhabited. 

Themes

• Four major themes stretch across the book as a whole: 

• 1. The Lord is bringing about his plan of redemption despite the failures of his people. 

• 2. The Lord works by his providence to bring about his purposes, which includes working through secular governments. 

• 3. The Lord protects his people, therefore, his people can trust him. 

• 4. Worship is at the center of what God desires for his people.

Sermon Series Outline

• Nehemiah 1:1-11 Heart for Redemption

• Nehemiah 1:12-2:8 Courage for God's Mission

• Nehemiah 2:9-20 Call to Rise Up

• Nehemiah 3:1-32 Start Close to Home

• Nehemiah 4:1-14 Opposition Principle

• Nehemiah 4:15-23 Sword and Trowel

• Nehemiah 5:1-19 Unity When the Newness Has Worn Off

• Nehemiah 6:1-14 Trusting and Not Frightened 

• Nehemiah 6:15-7:73 Wall Completed 

• Nehemiah 8:1-18 God's Word

• Nehemiah 9:1-38 Power of Confession

• Nehemiah 10:1-39 Covenant People

• Nehemiah 11:1-36 Time to Move Back

• Nehemiah 12:1-47 Worship of God

• Nehemiah 13:1-30 End of the Old Testament