Nehemiah, A Man of Concern Nehemiah 1 1

Nehemiah Nehemiah came out of Babylonian captivity He was concerned about rebuilding the wall and about restoring the people to their God 2

He was a man of prayer who worked hard and stood against those who opposed the work in Jerusalem He led by example 3

I. Nehemiah’s Sacrifice 4

We need to consider the great sacrifice he made in doing the work in Jerusalem He was a “cupbearer of the king” (Neh. 2:1) 5

The cupbearer to the king filled the wine cup and served the wine to the king – could also include one who tasted the wine before it was given to the king 6

He gave up this position for the work of rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem which took more than 12 years of his life 7

Phil. 2:5-8 (Sacrifice of Christ) 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,… 8

and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9

Rom. 12:1-2 (We must live sacrificial lives) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service…. 10

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 11

II. Nehemiah’s Sorrow 12

1. He showed concern Neh. 1:1-2 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,… 13

That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 14

Nehemiah asked how the Jews were doing in Jerusalem We need to ask: about others – about the church, etc. How do we know what to pray for if we never ask people? 15

We should not be afraid to ask and those whom we are concerned about should not be offended by our asking 16

Gen. 37:14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 17

2 Samuel 18:29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. 18

Esther 2:11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. 19

2. He could be touched – Neh. 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 20

3. He had determination – Neh. 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer. 21

III. Nehemiah’s prayer (1:5-11) 22

1. He is a man of prayer He prayed in times of sorrow He prayed when he was about to undertake something very important 23

2. His prayer was earnest “certain days” – “fasted, and prayed (1:4) “day and night” – (1:6) “I beseech thee” – (vs. 8,11) Beseech = to ask for earnestly 24

3. Confessions of wrong (1:6-7) Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants,… 25

and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned… 26

We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. 27

4. His urgent requests (an appeal to the name of God) (1:5) And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments 28

(an appeal to the promises of God) (1:8-9) Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; 29

though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. 30

(An appeal to their relationship with God) (1:6) Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants,… 31

and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. 32

(1:11) Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 33

Conclusion Nehemiah was a man of: Sacrifice Sorrow and concern Prayer Let us follow his good example 34

References Adapted from outline by Tom Moore 35