Bible Study November 12, 2024
Nehemiah 1:1 – 3 (ESV)
“Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
I have been doing some study on the book of Nehemiah and I have learned several things. This is in preparation for my message this Sunday.
Jerusalem had been held captive by the Babylonians for seventy years because of their unfaithfulness to God. Obedience and betrayal had been an ongoing practice of the Jewish people. They would obey for a period of time then fall into idol worship or worship of a false God other than Jehovah.
There are “dry” times for the Christ Follower of 2024 and it not because of God but it is because of something that we have done. He desires perfect fellowship and He is perfect we are the imperfect ones.
Nehemiah found the gates of Jerusalem had been burned and the walls were broken down. He was devastated and goes into a prayer of confession. Nehemiah had not been one to worship gods other than Yahweh but he is confessing for himself and the people of Jerusalem.
As a side note during our Bible study last evening we discussed the Abrahamic covenant one that God did not forget and Nehemiah refers to a covenant in his prayer in verse five of chapter one he says, ““O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,” A God who is a keeper of covenants with His people.
“If we will keep the associated covenants, the sacred priesthood ordinances will change us, sanctify us, and prepare us to enter the presence of the Lord. So we bear one another’s burdens; we strengthen one another.” Carol McKonkie.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 