Nehemiah A Living Epistle of Jesus Christ
Apostle Paul wrote,
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to
be the epistle of Christ ministered by us,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the
living God; not in tables of stone,
but in fleshy tables of the heart.
( 2Corinthians 3:3)
You show that you are a letter of the living
Lord God ,
written not with ink but with the
Spirit of the living God, not on tablets
of stone but on tablets of human heart.
Clearly you are a letter from Christ .
The letter is written not with pen and ink ,
but with the Holy Spirit.
It is carved not in tablets of stone,
but in human heart.
You show that you are a letter from
the Lord Jesus Christ,
written not with computers but with the Holy Spirit
of the living God , not in computer tablets
but in tablets of human heart.
You are demonstrating that you are the
Messiah�s epistle ,
written not with ink but with
the Spirit of the living
God , not in tablets of stone , but in tablets
of human heart.
It is clear that you are Christ�s epistle.
You are a letter
written not with ink but with the Holy Spirit .
You are a letter written not in tablets of stones
but in human heart.
You are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ,
written not with ink , but with the Spirit of
the living of God, not in tablets of stones
but in fleshly tablets of the heart.
You are the living letter of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Your hearts are the substance which
God�s writing is made.
The Holy Spirit produces the love in your heart and the mark of love becomes the evident
to the world.
(1) 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,
The book is introduced as the words of Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah. The story begins in the month Chislev in the 20th year of the reign of Persian king Artaxerxes Artaxerxes began to reign in 465 BC. Ezra brought his group of exiles back to Judah in the 7th year of the king Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:1,8). It was 13 years from the time Ezra brought his group of exiles to Judah till the time Nehemiah�s story began in 445 BC . Nehemiah served in Shushan, the palace of the king Artaxerxes .
(2-3) 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.
Nehemiah was interested in the welfare of his people, the Jews. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. The Jews were in distress. The Jews were in great affliction and reproach. These would be recent problems. The hatred for the Jews were expressed in the breaking down of the Jerusalem walls and the gate thereof were burned with fire.
(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,
How did Nehemiah reacted when he learned of the suffering of his people ? He wept for his people. He mourned for them for certain days . And he fasted. These are the actions that a sinner would take when he wanted to repent from his sins. Nehemiah wanted to approach the Lord the right way so that God will hear his prayers. Then Nehemiah prayed before the God of heaven.
(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:
Nehemiah asked earnestly. He beseech the Lord for mercy. Nehemiah acknowledged that the Lord is a great and awesome God. Nehemiah recognized that the Lord keeps covenant . God is faithful in His promise. The Lord will have mercy for them that love Him and keep His commandments. Nehemiah was reverent toward the Lord. Nehemiah was humble when he approach the Lord for help.
(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, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
Nehemiah prayed earnestly to the Lord to hear his intercession for the children of Israel, who were the servants of God. Nehemiah confessed that "Lord, we have sinned against you."
(7-9) 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. 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; 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.
The Lord remembered his word. The Lord is faithful. They could trust in the Lord to be faithful. Nehemiah knew how to claim God's promise.
(10) Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
The children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt. And now they are redeemed from Babylon.
(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.
Nehemiah knew that he needed to ask for help from this man ,who was the most powerful king in the world. But Nehemiah also recognized that God is in control of all the affairs of the world. Every action needs God's approval before it can happen. Nehemiah knew that God has granted this man to be the king. Nehemiah knew ultimately that help was coming from God. With the help of God, the followers of God can turn the tide of evil and defeat the evil. Nehemiah asked the Lord to grant His servant mercy in the sight of this man. This man was Artxerxes. The Lord is almighty who can even shape and control the path of the mightiest king . It was the Lord who placed Nehemiah in the position as the king's cupbearer. Prayers with God will prepare us for our dealings with men. The Lord said, My yoke is easy and burden is light.(Matt 11:28-30) Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart ; and you shall find rest for your souls for My yoke is easy , and my load is light. When we give our concerns to the Lord, our mind are set free. Trust in the Lord. God will make the difficulties vanish. If the affair is hurtful, the Lord can easily remove it. If the affair is good for us, the Lord can easily forward it.
NEHEMIAH 2
(1) And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the
twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was
before him:
and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king.
Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Artaxerxes was son of Xerxes and stepson of Esther.
Artaxerxes ruled from about 465-423 BC. During his reign ,
the book of Ezra and the book of Nehemiah were written .
(2-3) Wherefore the king said unto me,
Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not
sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart.
Then I was very sore afraid,
And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever:
why should not my countenance be sad, when the city,
the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste,
and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
Nehemiah was wise. He was diplomatic. Nehemiah knew
the Lord is the Giver of life .It is the Lord God who allows
a person to live forever. Nehemiah was faithful to
the Lord in his praise to this man.
(4) Then the king said unto me,
For what dost thou make request?
So I prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven for guidance
in making his plan. Nehemiah wanted to God's will
be done on earth as it is in heaven. What was God's will
for Nehemiah ? What kind of request should Nehemiah ask
this man, the king ?
Nehemiah lifted his heart in petition to the Lord
when he talked to this man, the king Artaxeres.
(5-6) And I said unto the king, If it please the king,
and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
The queen also was involved in the favourable decision. Nehemiah would not have mention the queen if she didn't have a part in the king's decision. She may be responsible for the favourable decision. The king granted Nehemiah according to the good hand of Nehemiah's God. (7-8) Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Nehemiah recognized the source of this blessing was from the Lord. The king was in God's hand to grant Nehemiah , according to the will of God.
(9) Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
Nehemiah was not harmed because he was accompanied by Perisan soldiers with royal letters.
(10) When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
Sanballat was the governor of Samaria. The governor was an enemy of the Jews He was a threat to the work of Nehemiah. He was upset exceedingly because Nehemiah came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
(11-12) So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
Nehemiah went about the city of Jerusalem at night. Nehemiah did everything in secret. The rulers knew not whither he went or what he did. Nehemiah inspected Jerusalem in preparation to rebuilt it.
(13-16) And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned. And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. (17-18) Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. Jerusalem lay in waste. They were in a distressful situation.
The Lord was with Nehemiah. The people strengthened their hands for the good work of building the wall.
(19) But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
The enemy uses different methods to discourage you. The first method the enemy usually uses is ridicule. The devil uses people like Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah , the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian.
(20) Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
NEHEMIAH 3
The Lord led Ezra and Zerubbabel back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Their task was to rebuild the temple. Nehemiah was a layman . Nehemiah�s work was to rebuild the wall and the gates of Jerusalem. The Lord accomplishes His work in different ways through different men. The rebuilding of the walls and gates tells us about God�s plan of salvation. The ten gates were selected to tell the story of the Good News of Jesus Christ. It started with the sheep gate and ends with the sheep gate.
(1) Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
The sheep gate is where the Lord Jesus entered into Jerusalem. The sheep gate is the gate through which animals were brought for sacrifice. In John 5:2, we are told that on one occasion Jesus came through the sheep gate and came to the pool of Bathesda. Jesus used the sheep gate to enter into Jerusalem. In John 1:29, John the Baptist said about Jesus, �Behold the lamb of God, which taken away the sin of the world �.
The sheep gate symbolizes the cross of Christ. Jesus is the Lamb of God.Jesus takes away the sin of the world. Jesus said, I am the way, truth, and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by me.
Jesus is the only way to begin with God. What will you do with the Lord Jesus who died for you ?
(2) And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
Joshua said, �Cursed be the man before the Lord that riseth up and buildeth the city of Jericho�� Jericho was a place of the curse. These man came up from Jericho to Jerusalem .These men worked next to the sheep gate. Today we live in a world that had been cursed by sin. We lived in cursed world. The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezek 18:4). We need Lord Jesus to save us. (3) But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
It is who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the fish gate that fish were brought in from the sea and river. What does the fish gate symbolize ? In Matt 4:19, Lord Jesus said to His followers, �I will make you fishers of men �.
(4) And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana
. God took note of the folks who worked to rebuild the wall. Their names were recorded in the Word of God.
(5) And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
Their nobles thought that they were too good to do the labour work for the Lord. They were too proud to lift heavy stones to repair the walls of Jerusalem. The proud nobles would not put their necks to work. God also took notes of the lazy folks. They were not witnessing for God at all.
(6) Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
In Jeremiah 6:16 , Thus said the Lord, � Stand ye in the ways, and see, and asks for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk there upon , and ye shall find rest. � We are living in a day where people are constantly searching for something new. This constantly searching for the new is leading many people to frustration. It leads folks down to a dead end street with no purpose in life. New ways are not always the right way. The Lord tells us to stand firmly and see carefully at the ways. The Lord wants us to ask for the old paths to find the good proven way of the Lord. Walk in the righteous way of the Lord and you shall find rest for your souls.
(7) And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river. (8) Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
The goldsmiths were making sacrifices for the Lord. Goldsmiths were accustomed to sitting at their benches and working with small pieces of gold. They were not used to working with huge stones. Uzziel did hard work rebuilding the wall. The Lord take note of folks who makes sacrifices to the Lord. Apothecaries were druggists. They don�t make pills larger than a person can swallow. Hananiah was the son of one of the apothecaries , yet he was working with huge stones to rebuild the wall. The Lord took note of the folks who made sacrifices to the Lord. And God recorded it in His Word.
(9) And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
God looks at the hearts of men to see their faithfulness. Everything we have has been given to us by the Lord. The Lord expected more from folks who were given more.
(10-11) And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah. Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
(12) And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
The women were also eager to help rebuilding the wall. (13) The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
The valley gate that is the gate that led out of the city of Jerusalem down into the valley. The valley gate reminds us of the valley of the shadow of death.
(14) But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
The dung gate is important for the health of the city. Filth was carried out of the dung gate. Garbage was taken away. If we confess our sins , He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). We have to recognize that we need to confess our sins to God. True confessions is the means to get out the filth and garbage. (15) But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
Jesus said to the woman at the well, But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water that I give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). Jesus said, He that believes in me , as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water ( John 7:38) Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit , which the believers shall receive. But ye are not of the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. When a beleiever is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a fountain of living water which gush out blessings to other folks. (16) After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. (17) After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part. (18) After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah. (19) And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall. (20) After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. Baruch worked willingly to repair the wall.
(21) After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
(22) And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain. The priests also worked hard using huge rocks to rebuilding the wall. (23) After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house. (24) After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner. (25) Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh. (26) Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
The water gate symbolizes the Word of God. It is here at the water gate that Ezra put a pulpit. It is here at the water gate , Ezra read the Word. In John 15:3, the Lord Jesus said, �Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you�. In John 17:17 , Jesus prayed, � sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth �.
(27-28) After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
Horses were ridden by soldiers. Horses were used in wars. The Lord Jesus rode a small donkey into Jerusalem. The donkey was the animal ridden by kings. The horse gate speaks of the soldier service of the believers.
(29) After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
The east gate is located on the east side of Jerusalem. In the morning the east gate is the first gate to be open, because the east gate is facing the direction of the rising sun. All night the watchmen guard the wall. Early in the morning the watchmen watch the eastern horizon for the first sign of daybreak. Enemies might be hiding in the darkness. After a while appearing in the eastern horizon, a glimmer of light. Finally the sun is coming up. If the watchmen see no enemy , the gate will be opened. Believers should be gathering at the eastern gate because there is a glimmer of light on the horizon. Soon the sun may be coming up. But before the sun rises , the Bright and Morning Star will appear
. (30) After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
It is interesting . All this man Meshullam did was repair the part over against the chamber where he lived. Apparently God expects him to repair only this small part, and God recorded it.
(31) After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
Miphkad means review or registry. When a stranger came to Jerusalem, he had to first stop by the Miphkad gate to register.
(32) And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
We begin at the sheep gate and we go up unto the sheep gate..Jesus is the lamb of God. Jesus died for your sins and mine.
NEHEMIAH 4
(1) But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Evil people oppose the work of God. Sanballat was an unbeliever. Nehemiah's work displeased him . Sanballat was full of anger and ridicule. Sanballat's kind of talk stirred up group hatred . He mocked the Jews to justify his intended violence.
(2) And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Ridicule is one method the enemy will use to discourage The people of God. The feeble Jews will do what ? By their human strength, they can do nothing. But with the Lord, all things are possible. They can revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish which were burned.
(3) Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
Tobiah made a sarcastic remark. The fox was a very light footed animal. He was saying a fox�s gentle trotting could knock down the Jewish wall.
(4-5) Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Nehemiah turned to God in prayer. Should we hate the sick people ? No. We hate the disease. The real enemy is not people. The real enemy is the devil who uses people to accomplish his wicked purposes, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. We hate not people. We hate evil. We let the God fight for us. Nehemiah ignored the ridicule and sarcasm of the enemy. Nehemiah prayed to the Lord, and continued to build the wall. The people overcome the ridicule .
(6-8) So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
The heathen assembled a big army to fight against Jerusalem. The enemy wanted to hinder Nehemiah from doing the work of God.
(9) Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the protection of the Lord. It was the way of this righteous man. We should put our trust in the Lord when we find ourselves overwhelmed by our enemies. All his cares and all his grief, Nehemiah spread before to the Lord. Nehemiah trusted in the Lord to take away all his fears. The Lord tells us, Fear not. Fear is sin. Fear is not trusting in the Lord. We shall not be afraid because we trust in the Lord to protect us. Before he take action , Nehemiah first made his prayer to God Having prayed , Nehemiah and his people set a watch against the enemy day and night. God's care of our safety should encourage in our duty to do the good works of God.
(10-12) And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
Nehemiah knew the enemy was plotting him. So Nehemiah set watch for trouble. Nehemiah had to be careful because there was trouble from within the Jewish people. Discouragement was the enemy�s weapon against God�s people. The enemy planted spies in the midst among the Jews. The enemy planned a surprise attack to slay them and to cause the work to cease.The enemy took advantage of the Jews� discouragement.
(13-14) Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
What was Nehemiah�s defence against the surprise ? Nehemiah placed every man in position to defend his own family while he helped to build the wall. Nehemiah told the people not to be afraid. Look to the Lord who is great. The Lord is their strength.
(15) And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
God had brought the counsel of the enemies to nought. Their evil plan failed. Nehemiah and his people returned to work rebuilding the wall.
(16) And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
As more help was needed, he sent his servants to assist. (17) They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
A single group of people with a free hand for the sword. They were ready to work and to fight for the Lord.
(18) For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
Nehemiah would watch for the enemy. When they hear the trumpet, they would come with their swords to that spot.
(19-21) And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
Our Lord shall fight for us. They laboured joyfully in the work of the Lord , giving all their heart, and soul and strength to the Lord.
(22-23] Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem because in the night they would be a guard to the people and a wall builder during the day .
NEHEMIAH 5
(1) And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Now the opposition was coming from within. The rich had oppressed the poor Jews.
(2-3) For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
Because the Jews were so busy rebuilding the walls,They had sacrificed their time and neglected their personal businesses . They borrowed money to help pay for the cost of rebuilding the walls.They mortgaged their lands , vineyards, and houses to pay for rebuilding the walls.
(4) There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
They mortgaged their lands , vineyards, and houses to pay for the taxes.
(5) Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
Because of their debt, their sons and daughter were forced into bondage to be servants. Neither do they have the power to redeem them. Other people had their lands and vineyards.
(6-7) And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
Nehemiah rebuked the wealthy nobles and the rulers who allow their brethren the Jews to be sold unto the pagans.
(8) And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. (9) Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
Nehemiah knew that if there was abuse within among the Jews, no matter high the Jerusalem walls were built , it would still be unsafe. It was not good that they sold their brethren to bondage. If you walk in fear of God, you will not lust after worldly gain.
(10) I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. (11) Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. (12) Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
They promised to restore them. Good promises are good, but fulfilment of the promises are better. Nehemiah let God deal with them. They took an oath before the Lord. If they don�t perform their promise, God will deal harshly with them.
(13) Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. (14-15) Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
The former governors before Nehemiah received Their salaries, but Nehemiah did not take his wages as the governor. Nehemiah served his Lord God when he worked unselfishly as the governor. He chose not to accept a salary.
(16) Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
Nehemiah�s main purpose was to rebuild the wall. He was not distracted from his work. He continued In the work of the wall. Nehemiah stayed out of the land speculation business. Neither did they bought any land. Nehemiah did not misuse his servants. All his servants were gathered unto the work of rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah used his servants only for the purpose of rebuilding the wall.
(17-18) Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
Nehemiah regularly entertained one hundred fifty table guests. He also entertained the Jews from among the surrounding heathen countries. Nehemiah did all this at his own expense. Nehemiah did not demand the governor�s wage because he did not want to be a burden unto his people. The bondage was already too heavy upon the hard working people.Nehemiah had the right to draw a salary, he chose not to accept a salary.
(19) Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Nehemiah knew the hearts of the people . They had short memories. They would forget him. Nehemiah asked God to remember him. God does not remember our sins because we have our Lord Christ Jesus as our Saviour.But will always remember our good works.
NEHEMIAH 6
(1) Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
There was no guile in Nehemiah . He was being honest. He told the truth. He stated the facts. Nehemiah honestly admitted that the report was exaggerated. The wall was not finished yet. The doors needed to be set up upon the gates.
(2)That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Since the enemies could not stop the work , the enemy now tried to harm Nehemiah. They tried to trick Nehemiah to come out to one of the villages in the plain of Ono.
(3) And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
When the enemy tempted Nehemiah to leave the work of God , he refused to stop his God-given work. We must put our priority right. God must be our first priority. Seek first the kingdom of God.
(4) Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. (5) Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; It was an open letter so that all could read the false accusation in the letter.
The content of letter was intended to fool all in believing the supposed rebellion of Nehemiah.
(6) Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
It was reported among the heathen . It was a false report aimed to harm the people of God.
(7) And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Sanballat paid the appointed prophets to speak against Nehemiah. These were false prophets . true prophets would not be sent by human beings. True prophets would not be paid to speak. They were accusing Nehemiah of attempting to rebel against Persia king.They were accusing him of hiring prophets to preach for him. They pressuring Nehemiah to meet them. The false reports were to discourage those who were working on the wall.
(8) Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. Their report was false. (9) For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah asked the Lord to give strength to him to do God�s work .
(10) Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
Shemaiah gave bad advice to Nehemiah. He was shut-up. He received no message from God. Shemaiah speak foolishness from man's desires and man's ambition. This falsehood was clear when the false prophet Shemaiah advised Nehemiah to flee into the temple. The enemy always try to stir up fear. When the Lord is your shield, there should be no fear.
(11) And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. (12) And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Nehemiah perceived that God had not sent him. The message was the evidence that God had not sent this false prophet. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to give false message. he was hired to stir fear into Nehemiah. If he could stir up fear in Nehemiah,the people could be discouraged. And the work of God could be stopped.
(13-14) Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
They hired false prophets and prophetess to try to make Nehemiah afraid. Nehemiah knew that to give in to fear is to sin against God. And Nehemiah did not wish to sin against God.
(15) So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
The wall was finished in fifty-two days. Only God could have done this through them.
(16) And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
The heathen realized that they could not fight against God. They perceived that this work was wrought of the Lord.
(17-18) Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of the son of Berechiah.
The nobles were influenced by Tobiah. The nobles were related by marriage to Tobiah.
(19) Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. The nobles tried to influence Nehemiah�s view of Tobiah by falsely reporting good deeds of Tobiah before Nehemiah. Tobiah sent letters to threaten Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 7
(1) Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
There was no guile in Nehemiah . He was being honest. He told the truth. He stated the facts. Nehemiah honestly admitted that the report was exaggerated. The wall was not finished yet. The doors needed to be set up upon the gates.
(2)That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Since the enemies could not stop the work , the enemy now tried to harm Nehemiah. They tried to trick Nehemiah to come out to one of the villages in the plain of Ono.
The wall was completed. Now the people began to protect the city of Jerusalem.
The gates were guarded. The entire city of Jerusalem was guarded. Every one also watched over his own house.
(3) And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
When the enemy tempted Nehemiah to leave the work of God , he refused to stop his God-given work. We must put our priority right. God must be our first priority. Seek first the kingdom of God.
(4) Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. (5) Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; It was an open letter so that all could read the false accusation in the letter.
The city was large and great .Many people come into the city. But few people lived in the city because there was no place for them to live. The broken-down houses were not rebuild.
The Lord put into Nehemiah's heart to gather together the true Jews according to the genealogy These were the people that belong in Judah. These people were citizens because their names were written in the genealogy book. To be a priest, the person's name had to be found in the genealogy records. False prophets are not written in the records.
The content of letter was intended to fool all in believing the supposed rebellion of Nehemiah.
(6) Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
It was reported among the heathen . It was a false report aimed to harm the people of God.
(7) And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Nehemiah had a copy of the register of the people who returned from exile in Babylonia. About 90 years before the time of Nehemiah. Zerubbabel and Jeshua led a group of Jewish people back to Judah. Jeshua was the chief priest. These people went back to the land that God had given to their ancestors. These Jews who returned to Judah were part of God�s plan. The prophet had delivered God message. God had promised that the Jews would live again in Judah after the exile. God will show his kindness to every nation. God would use descendants of the Jews to bless every nation. Among their descendants would be Jesus. And Jesus would save people from the punishment for their sins.
Sanballat paid the appointed prophets to speak against Nehemiah. These were false prophets . true prophets would not be sent by human beings. True prophets would not be paid to speak. They were accusing Nehemiah of attempting to rebel against Persia king.They were accusing him of hiring prophets to preach for him. They pressuring Nehemiah to meet them. The false reports were to discourage those who were working on the wall.
(8) Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. Their report was false. (9) For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah asked the Lord to give strength to him to do God�s work .
(10) Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
Shemaiah gave bad advice to Nehemiah. He was shut-up. He received no message from God. Shemaiah speak foolishness from man's desires and man's ambition. This falsehood was clear when the false prophet Shemaiah advised Nehemiah to flee into the temple. The enemy always try to stir up fear. When the Lord is your shield, there should be no fear.
(11) And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. (12) And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Nehemiah perceived that God had not sent him. The message was the evidence that God had not sent this false prophet. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to give false message. he was hired to stir fear into Nehemiah. If he could stir up fear in Nehemiah,the people could be discouraged. And the work of God could be stopped.
(13-14) Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
They hired false prophets and prophetess to try to make Nehemiah afraid. Nehemiah knew that to give in to fear is to sin against God. And Nehemiah did not wish to sin against God.
(15) So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
The wall was finished in fifty-two days. Only God could have done this through them.
(16) And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
The heathen realized that they could not fight against God. They perceived that this work was wrought of the Lord.
(17-18) Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of the son of Berechiah.
The nobles were influenced by Tobiah. The nobles were related by marriage to Tobiah.
(19) Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.The nobles tried to influence Nehemiah�s view of Tobiah by falsely reporting good deeds of Tobiah before Nehemiah. Tobiah sent letters to threaten Nehemiah. (7-60) Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The following is a list of the names of Jews who returned to Judah after being exiled by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The leaders were Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The others who returned at the same time were these people. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this; The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two. The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen. The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five. The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight. The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight. The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two. The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven. The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven. The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five. The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight. The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four. The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve. The children of Gibeon, ninety and five. The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight. The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight. The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two. The men of Kirjath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three. The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one. The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two. The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three. The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two. The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one. The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty. The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three. The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four. The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight. The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight. The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth, The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon, The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai, The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah, The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim, The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah, The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida, The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon. All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
2172 descendants of Paroah 372 descendants of Shephatiah 652 descendants of Arah 2818 descendants of Jeshua and Joab of the subclan Pahath-Moab 1254 descendants of Elam 845 descendants of Zattu 760 descendants of Zacca 648 descendants of Binnui 628 descendants of Bebai 2322 descendants of Azgad 667 descendants of Adonikam 2067 descendants of Bigvai 655 descendants of Adin 98 descendants of Hezekiah the subclan of Ater 328 descendants of Hashum 324 descendants of Bezai 112 descendants of Hariph 95 descendants of Gibeon 188 men who lived in Bethlehem and Netophah 128 men who lived in Anathoth 42 men who lived in Beth Azmaveth 743 men who lived in Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth 621 The men who lived in Ramah and Geba 122 men who lived in Michmash 123 men who lived in 1254 descendants of the other Elam Bethel and Ai 52 men who lived in the other town called Nebo 320 descendants of Harim 345 descendants of Jericho 721 descendants of Lod, Hadid and Ono 3930 descendants of Senaah This is a list of the priests: 973 from the families of Jeshua of descendants of Jedaiah 1052 descendants of Immer 1247 descendants of Pashhur 1017 descendants of Harim These are the Levites: 74 descendents of the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah These are the singers: 148 descendants of Asaph These are the men who guarded the gates: 138 the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai These are the people who served in the temple: The descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Sia, Padon, Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Meunim, Nephussim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah and Hatipha. These are the descendants of Solomon�s servants: The descendants of Sotai, Sophereth, Perida, Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Amon. The total number of men who served in the temple and those who were the descendants of Solomon�s servants, 392. The Jews that returned to Judah had different jobs to do, Some people were Levites and priests. Some were singers. They led the people to worship the Lord. Some Jews were temple guards .They guarded the temple and the gates.
(61-64) And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer : but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel. The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two. And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name. These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
Their names were not found in the genealogy records. The records established the right to priesthood. These people were polluted. They were not allow to be priests.
(65) And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
They were not allowed to be priests until the Urim and Thummim had been consulted to find out from God whether or not they were descendents of priests.
(66) The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
The whole congregation together was 43,6360. These were the people who returned to Judah.
(67) Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women
Also returning with them , there were 7,337 servants and 245 singing men and singing women
(68-70) Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five: Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses. And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
They took with them 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6700 donkeys.
(71) And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.
Some of their leaders gave gifts for the work. They gave 20,000 drams of gold and 2,000 pounds and two hundred pounds of silver.
(72) And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.
The rest of the people gave 20,000 drams of gold and 2,000 pounds of silver and sixty-seven sets of clothing for the priests.
(73) So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and The Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
So the priests, and the Levites , the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple attendants, and some of the people , and all of Israel dwelt in their cities, and were in them when the seven month came.
NEHEMIAH 8
(1) And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
They had committed themselves to the Lord. All the people gathered themselves as one man to worship the Lord. And they spoke unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the Law of Moses. They wanted to worship the Lord the way according to which the Lord had commanded to Israel.
(2) And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
The people who could hear with understanding were really interested in the word of God. They were interested in the Book of the Law. This assembly became an annual affair.
(3-5) And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: With Ezra stood these thirteen helpers.
(6) And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Ezra praised the Lord, the great God. And all the people expressed their commitment to the Lord. They answered, Amen, Amen. They praised the Lord ,lifting their hands. They bowed their heads in reverence to the Lord. And they worshipped theLord with their faces to the ground.
(7) Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
There were men who explained the Word of God to the assembled people.
(8) So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (9) And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Many of the people never heard the word of God. The reading and the teaching of the Law caused them to be convicted of sin. It caused them to weep in repentence.
(10-12) Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
(13) And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
They gathered together to study and understand the words of the law.
(14) And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
This is the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacle. The dwelling of booth is a reminder to them of God�s care and protection while the Israelites journey from Egypt.
(15-18) And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house,and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
NEHEMIAH 9
(1) Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
The meeting on the twenty-fourth day was a special voluntary day not required by any feast day. They came with fasting , and with sack clothes and earth on them They were humble before the Lord. They were expressing their sorrow with fasting, with sack clothes and dust on their hair.
(2) And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
They separated themselves from all strangers. They separated themselves from the influence of foreigners . They turned away from the evil influences of foreign people. Most strangers serve other gods, that were idols. The Lord had warned them to separate themselves from all strangers.The Lord had sent their ancestors into exile because they had served other gods. And they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
(3) And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.
For one fourth of the day they read from the book of the law of the Lord. For another one fourth of the day they confessed their sins and worshipped the Lord God. They spent half their voluntary day studying God�s law and worshipping God. This their passion and serious desire to obey the Lord. The Lord will not accept the worship of those people who disobey Him and will not repent.
(4) Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
They stood on the stairs so that the people could see and hear them. The main purpose of this gathering was the Lord. They cried with A loud voice unto the Lord their God.
(5) Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
They called the people to stand up. They led the people in praising the Lord God. Blessed the Lord your God for ever and ever. Blessed be the glorious name Of the Lord, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. In their praise the people remembered the Lord.
(6) Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
The Lord is our only God. The Lord has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts, the earth , and all things that are therein, the seas, all that is therein. The Lord preserves them all. The Lord is the creator. And the Lord preserves everything that He has made. And the host of heaven worshipped the Lord. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make yourself an idol. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of God.
(7) Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
The Lord is the real God. The Jews remembered that God had chosen Abram. God had given him a new name , Abraham. The Lord had brought him out of Ur.
(8) And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
The Lord found that Abraham was faithful unto Him. The Lord made a covenant with him to give the promised land to Abraham and his descendants. The Lord is righteous . The Lord has performed His words.
(9) And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
The Lord delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Lord saw their afflictions and heard their cry by the Red Sea.
(10) And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharoah, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.
The Lord performed great miracles again the Pharoah and his servants and all the people of the land. They had oppressed the children of Israel and refused to let them go. They were too proud in their thinking. They thought that God could not overpower them. But the Lord did overpower them with signs and wonders. By these great miracles, the Lord has made a name for Himself.
(11) And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps,
The Lord divided the sea before them, so that those who trusted Him went through the midst of the sea on the dry land. The Lord threw their persecutors into the deep sea, as a stone into the mighty waters.
(12) Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
The Lord led the believers in the day by a cloudy pillar and in the night by a pillar of fire.
(13) Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
God gave them His law at mount Sinai.
(14) And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant: The Lord made known unto the people His holy Sabbath . He commanded them precepts, statues, and Laws, by the hand of His servant Moses.
(15) And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
The Lord gave them bread from heaven for their hunger. He brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst. The Lord promised them that they should go in to possess the land which the Lord had sworn to give them.
(16)But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
But the children of Israel rebelled against God. They were proud in their disobedience. They hardened their necks in their pride. They did not obey the commandments of the Lord.
(17) And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
They refused to obey. Neither were they mindful of His wonders that the Lord did among them. They hardened their necks in their rebellion. They appointed captain to return to their bondage. But the Lord is a real God who is ready to pardon the people. The Lord who is gracious, and merciful,and slow to anger, and of great kindness, did not forsake them.
(18) Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
Yea when they made for themselves a molten calf and worshipped the idol, they had brought great provocations.
(19) Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
Yet the Lord in His manifold of mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud departed not from them by day. Neither did the pillar of fire depart from them by night. The Lord continued to show them light , and way wherein they should go.
(20) Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Lord, you gave also Your good Spirit to instruct them, and withheld not your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.
(21) Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
For forty years the Lord sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. They had clothes to wear. And their feet had shoes.
(22) Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
The Lord gave them nations and kingdoms.
(23) Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
The Lord also multiplied the children of Israel as the stars of heaven. The Lord brought them into the promised land. The Lord had promised this land to their fathers. They had to go in to possess it.
(24) So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.br> The children of Israel went in and possessed the land. The Lord subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites. The Lord gave them into the hands of the children of Israel.
(25) And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
They took strong cities, and a fat land. They possessed houses full of all goods, water wells , vineyards, and olive yards, and fruit trees in abundance. The children of Israel did eat, and were filled, and became fat. They delighted themselves in the great goodness of the Lord.
(26) Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
Nevertheless they were disobedient , and rebelled against the Lord. They cast God�s law behind their backs. They slew God�s prophets who testified against them to turn them to the Lord. They wrought great provocations.
(27) Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
Therefore the Lord delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them. In the time of their trouble, they cried unto the Lord. The Lord heard them from heaven. God was merciful unto them. The Lord gave them saviours , who saved them out of the Hands of their enemies.
(28) But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
But after they had rest, they did evil again before the Lord. Therefore the Lord left them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them. Yet they returned , and cried unto the Lord. The Lord heard them from heaven. And many times did the Lord deliver them according to His mercies.
(29) And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
The Lord testified against them so that He might bring them again unto His law. Yet they dealt proudly. They hearkened not the God�s commandments, but sinned against His Judgments.
(30) Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
Yet many years did the Lord waited for them, and testified against by His spirit in His prophets. Yet they would not give ear to the Lord. Therefore the Lord gave them to the hand of the people of the land.
(31) Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
Nevertheless for your great mercies� sake the Lord did not utterly consume them, nor forsake them ; for the Lord is a gracious and merciful God.
(32) Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
(33) Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
The Lord was just in allowing all that had been brought upon the children of Israel. The Lord had done right. The people confessed that they and their ancestors Had done wickedly.
(34) Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
Neither have their kings , their princes, their priests, nor their fathers kept God�s law. Neither have they hearkened unto His commandments and His testimonies, wherein the Lord did testify against them.
(35) For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, turned they from their wicked works.
They had not served the Lord in their kingdom that the Lord in His great goodness gave them. They had forgotten that in great goodness you gave them the large and fat land.
(36) Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
The Lord gave their father the land to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof. But now they were servants in the land because of their sin.
(37) And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
The land yield much increase unto the kings whom the Lord God set over them Because of their sin. Also they had dominion over their bodies, and over their cattle,at their pleasure. The children of Israel were in great distress.
(38) And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.
And because of all this they made a sure covenant , and write it. And their Princes, Levites, and priests, sealed unto it.
NEHEMIAH 10
The priests had read to the people from the law of God. The people listened to the word of God. They understood the word of God. They understood their history in relationship with God. They understood that they had sinned against God. They wanted to make an agreement with the Lord. The people wanted to separate themselves from the custom of the world. They wanted to devote themselves to the way directed by the word of God. They wanted to bind themselves to do the commandments of God. They wanted God to be their Lord. They wanted to do all His commandments. This is the list people who signed the agreement.
(1) Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah,
the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah,
and Zidkijah,
[2] Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
[3] Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
[4] Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
[5] Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
[6] Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
[7] Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
[8] Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah:
these were the priests.
[9] And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah,
Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
[10] And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita,
Pelaiah, Hanan,
[11] Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
[12] Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
[13] Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
This is the list of the men who signed the agreement with the Lord. Nehemiah recorded their names. Nehemiah also signed the agreement because he was the ruler of Judah.
(14-28) The chief of the people;
Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
Separate ourselves from the world unto the way of God directed by the word of God.
(29) They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our God, and his judgments and his statutes;
We bind ourselves to do all the commandments of the Lord our God.
(30) And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
(31) And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
(32) Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
The people must observe the duties that they have neglected. When everyone gives to the work of God, though but little, their whole contribution will become a huge amount.
(33) For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
God likes a cheerful giver. Whatever state God has placed us in, we must cheerfully perform our duty to God. The complainers were left in the deserts. They did not receive the blessings of the Lord.
(34) And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
(35) And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:
(36) Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:
(37) And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
God has appointed the ordinances of God as means of support for our souls. The believer should not grudge at the expense of giving to the work of God. We have received every good things from God. A person should not grudge when he gives back a little of his gift to the Lord.
(38) And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.
(39) For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
NEHEMIAH 11
(1) And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
The city of Jerusalem was rebuilt. Not many people lived in the city. It was important for people to live in Jerusalem. People were needed to protect the temple in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to decide who would live in the city with the rulers. One in every ten people went to to live in Jerusalem. Then the rest of the people returned to their homes in the small towns and villages. The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem.
(2) And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
The people blessed all the men , who willingly offered themselves to live in Jerusalem. These people are strangers to us. But the Lord knew each one of them. God recorded Their names because they had a willing heart to serve the Lord.
(3) Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
Many of the people lived in their own land in the other cities and villages in Judah. Some of the leaders of the provinces lived in Jerusalem.
(4-6) And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
Some of residents of Jerusalem were descendants of Judah. Shelah and Perez were sons of Judah. Perez was born after Judah sinned with Tamar. Jesus was also a descendants of Perez. Judah�s wrong action could not prevent God�s plan to bring a Saviour into the world.
(7-9) And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
The descendants of Benjamin also lived in Jerusalem.
(10-18) Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah, And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men. Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.
Nehemiah recorded the names of the priests and the Levites who lived in Jerusalem. The priests led the people when worshipped the Lord. The Levites helped the priests. The Levites looked after the sacrifices. Some helpers took care of the temple. Some Levites led the people in prayers and in thanksgivings.
(19-23) Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two. And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
Every day a certain portion should be given to the singers. Our Father who is in heaven. Give us our daily bread to do your will on earth as it is in heaven.
(24) And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
(25) And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,
(26) And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,
(27) And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and in the villages thereof,
(28) And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
(29) And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
(30) Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
(31-36) The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
NEHEMIAH 12
These were the priests and Levites that returned from exile. They returned with Zerubbabel
. (1-7) Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah, Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jediah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.
They were leaders of the priests and their companions in the time of Jeshua.
(8) Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
These Levites were responsible to lead the people to give thanksgivings to the Lord.
(9) Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.
Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren stood watch over them.
(10-11) And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua
(12-21) And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
Nehemiah recorded the names of the men who were priests during the time when Joiakim was chief priest. These men were head of families of priests. Most of the family names were the same as those names of priests during Zerubbabel�s time when Jeshua was the chief priest. Clearly the priests used the same family names to show which family they belonged.
(22-26) The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian. The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.
These were the leading men among the Levites who lived during the days of Joiakim, son of Jeshua the chief priest. They would have lived during the days of Nehemiah and Erza. These men were descendants of Levites that returned with Zerubbabel.
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. These were guards of treasury of the temple. These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
For the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem, they brought together the musicians. They brought the people from all over the land to dedicate the walls of Jerusalem to the Lord. They knew that it was the Lord who could keep the faithful folks safe in Jerusalem .
(27-30) And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
They sought the Levites out of all their places in the other cities to bring to Jerusalem. They brought them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication to the Lord with gladness , both with thanksgivings, with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
(31-36) Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: Nehemiah brought up all the leaders of Judah. Nehemiah appointed two great companies. And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
The two companies gave thanks to the Lord.
(37-40) And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers The Lord helped them rebuild the wall. The Lord is present among them . (41-43) And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
The Lord had made them rejoice with great joy. They offered great sacrifices . And the Lord had accepted them. It is a time for rejoicing in the Lord. The wives and children also rejoiced in the Lord. The joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
(44) And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
The rejoicing was the restoration of the worship of the Lord according to the law.
(45-47) And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.
Whatsoever we do it must be purified by the blood of Christ and by the grace of the Holy Spirit, God will accept only what Jesus has done for us, by his sacrifice.
NEHEMIAH 13
Nehemiah returned to Persia twelve years after the people rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Some time later , Nehemiah discovered thatt the people of Judah were doing many wrong things. Then Nehemiah asked the king to allow him to back to Jerusalem.
(1) On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
They read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people. Moses had written that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water. But they hired Balaam against them. They paid Balaam to ask God to do bad things to the Jews. But God blessed the Jews instead.
(2) Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. God turned the curse into a blessing.
God blessed the children of Israel.
(3) Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
When the Jews heard the law, they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. They made all the foreign people leave.
(4) And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
The Jewish people used the great chamber to store the equipment of the temple. They also used this special room to store the tithes and gifts of the priests. Some of the Levites and temple servants lived outside of Jerusalem. When they came to serve in the temple , they probably stayed In this great chamber. Eliashib, the priest, sold himself to the devil. He allied himself with Tobiah , the Ammonite who was an enemy of the Jews. Eliashib was responsible for the chamber of the house of our God. He gave the great chamber to his relative Tobiah, the Ammonite, who stole the tithes and gifts of the people . Also when it was time for the Levites and temple servants to serve In the temple, they did not have anywhere to stay because their great chamber had been given to Tobiah.
(5) And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
The Jewish people used the great chamber to store the gifts of grain, perfume, and the temple equipments. The law stated that the people of God should give tithes of grain, new wine and oil to the Levites. And there should also be gifts for singers and guards of gates. The Jewish people should store the gifts for the priests in the great chamber.
(6-7) But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
When Nehemiah was away in Persia, the bad priest Eliashib allowed his relative Tobiah, the Ammonite , to use the large chamber in the temple. Tobiah was an enemy of the Jews. Tobiah had tried to stop the people from building the walls of Jerusalem . God�s law stated that the Jews must not allow the Ammonites to join them. Eliashib and his family had done something that they had promised not to do. One of Eliashib�s family member married an Ammonite of Tabiah�s family.
(8) And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
Eliashib�s sin gave much grief to Nehemiah. Nehemiah was so angry that he threw all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
(9) Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
Then Nehemiah commanded , and they cleansed the chambers. Nehemiah again brought the vessels of the house of God, with meat offering and the frankincense.
(10) And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
Nehemiah investigated the damage caused by Eliashib�s betrayal of the Jewish people. He saw that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them. The enemy had stolen their portions. The Levites and the singers , they did work for the Lord. The enemies inside the temple had forced them to leave their work. The real believers, they did work for the Lord. They fled one to his field because the enemy of God was insider the temple.
(11) Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
Nehemiah was angry with the rulers, the officials. They should not have neglected the house of God. Why is the house of God forsaken. Nehemiah gather them together, and set them in their place. The wicked people were removed. Nehemiah made the Levites and the singers go back to their work in the temple.
(12) Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
Nehemiah had discovered also that the people had not been given the tithes and gifts to the Levites. They had promised to give tithe to the Levites and priests so that they could serve God . The people had failed to this promise. The people were cheating God. They did not bring their gifts and tithes to the house of God. Instead the Levites and the servants went back to their own fields. After Nehemiah�s return to Jerusalem, all of Judah brought The tithes of grain, new wine and oil. They brought the gifts to the special rooms in the temple. These were treasuries.
(13) And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
The people again started to bring their tithes and gifts to the House of God. Nehemiah was wise to choose honest men to be treasurers. Nehemiah made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, Zadock the scribe, and of the Levites , Pedaiah. And next them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah. These men were counted faithful. Their job was to distribute unto their brethren
(14) Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
Nehemiah was man who prayed often. Nehemiah wanted to do the righteous thing .Nehemiah prayed that God�s will be done on earth . God will know our deeds. If our deeds are good, they will not be wipe out.
(15) In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
The Sabbath should be a holy day of rest. Nehemiah saw in Judah some people were squeezing juice out fruit to make wine . Also men were bringing grain and they were loading it on asses. They also brought wine, fruit, and other loads into Jerusalem. They were doing work on the Sabbath day. Nehemiah warned them not to sell food on the Sabbath Day.
(16) There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
The men of Tyre brought fish, and all kinds of goods into Jerusalem, and sold them on the Sabbath day to the Jews in Jerusalem.
(17-18) Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
Nehemiah blamed the nobles of Judah . Their behaviour was wicked. They had done evil . They had profaned the Sabbath. Did they not know that God had punished their ancestors because they did not rest on the Sabbath.
(19) And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
Nehemiah commanded that the gates of Jerusalem should be shut. He charged that the gates should not be opened till after the Sabbath. Nehemiah�s servants guard the gates so that no loads were allowed to be brought in on the Sabbath day.
(20-21) So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Merchants and sellers from other nations stayed outside of Jerusalem gates. Nehemiah warned them not to stay by the walls during the night. They would be arrested the next time. From that time they came no more On the Sabbath.
(22) And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
Nehemiah commanded the Levites to cleanse themselves. Nehemiah ordered the Levites to come and keep the gates And to sanctify the Sabbath day. Nehemiah again prayed .Nehemiah asked the Lord to remember him. Nehemiah asked the Lord to show His great mercy.
(23-24) In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
Nehemiah saw that Jews had married women from nations of Ashdod ,of Ammon and of Moab . And half their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of other nations. And they could not speak in the Jews� language.
(25) And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
Nehemiah had to deal with them. He cursed them, and smote some of them. Nehemiah plucked off their hair. He made them swear by God . They had to promise not to give their daughters to foreigners . They also promised not to marry foreign women. They should also not allow their sons take women of other nations. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things. Yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Nehemiah reminded the people of their history. God gave wisdom to Solomon Even Solomon was not wise when he married foreign women. They made him sin. (27-28) Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
The people were not listening to God when they married foreign women. One of the sons of Joiada , the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son in law to Sanballat the Horonite. Nehemiah drove him away from his presence.
(29) Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
Again Nehemiah prayed. Nehemiah knew that the Eliiashib the high priest had defiled the priesthood. His sons had defiled the priesthood, and the Levites.
(30-31) Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Thus Nehemiah cleaned the priesthood, and the Levites from all strangers. Nehemiah appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites , every one in his business.