Nehemiah 9

One attribute of God that isn't often considered is his historicity. Unlike the false gods, whose deeds all took place in some dim mythological past, Yahweh did what he did in a particular time and place that could be verified.

Either the history of Israel was the history of the acts of God, or vice versa.

Nehemiah 8

The people were willing to stand up all morning just to hear the word of God.

I understand that customs were different then: speakers sat and hearers stood. Still, it points out how lazy and impatient we've gotten. We'd do well to hunger for God's word like they did.

Nehemiah 7

Far from wanting to be a king, Nehemiah surrendered power over Jerusalem when the repairs to the walls were done. He didn't look for reasons to stay in charge. He had a job and he did it and got out of the way.

Sometimes knowing when to stop leading is as important as doing it.

Nehemiah 6

Don't think Nehemiah was fearless.

The Bible doesn't tell us that when his life was threatened he faced it without fear. Nehemiah didn't make that claim. Afraid or not, though, he had work to do, and that work was important. He wasn't going to let a fear of death keep him from doing it well.

Nehemiah 5

In this chapter, Nehemiah speaks against usury and demonstrates his own generosity.

First, he was horrified to see people selling their own children in order to buy food, and weighed down by interest payments to their fellow Jews. Then it's revealed that though he was entitled to tax the people for his livelihood, he decided instead to feed his household out of his own pocket.

Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah knew that God would fight the Jews' battles, but he also knew they needed to be ready to defend themselves. That's why he prayed and trusted God even as he established a system to protect the workers. 

Having God on your doesn't mean you get to be lazy.

Nehemiah 3

From our New Testament perspective, we're used to thinking of the Jews in opposition to God. They were Jesus' main antagonists, after all.

But it's important to remember that the Jews who returned to the Promised Land were the faithful ones who trusted God to keep his promises. They weren't against rebuilding the wall. They just needed to be reminded.

Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah came back to Jerusalem for one reason: to make sure the wall and gates were rebuilt. He did it right too. He got the king's permission, a letter explaining his mission to the governor, and his materials, all before he left the capital.

Best of all, though, he was doing God's will.

Nehemiah 1

Rather than pointing fingers, Nehemiah took responsibility.

He knew the state of Jerusalem wasn't right, and that sin was the cause. Instead of worrying about o other people's sin, he confessed his own. Nehemiah knew he couldn't control anyone else, but he could control Nehemiah.