Nehemiah, 1

Name: Nehemiah
Author: Author's Name
ISBN: Your ISBN Number

Mercy Sin Repentance Law God Prayer Confession Fasting Obedience Promises Covenant Punishment Acknowledging Almighty

Nehemiah hears of the condition of Jerusalem and expresses his concern to King Artaxerxes.

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Bible version

Nehemiah Hears of Jerusalem's Condition

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,

2 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.

3 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.

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,

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:

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.

7 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.

8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

9 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.

10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

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.

Commentary

Nehemiah 1 is a powerful chapter that speaks to the heart of God's people. It begins with Nehemiah's prayer to God, expressing his deep sorrow and grief over the condition of Jerusalem and the people of Israel. He acknowledges God's faithfulness and mercy, and asks for God's help in restoring the city and its people. Nehemiah's prayer is a model of humility and faith, and serves as an example of how we should approach God in prayer. The chapter then moves on to Nehemiah's response to the news of Jerusalem's condition. He is deeply troubled and weeps, fasting and praying for four days. He then sets out to seek the king's permission to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. Nehemiah's determination and courage in the face of adversity is inspiring, and serves as an example of how we should respond to difficult situations. Finally, the chapter ends with Nehemiah's prayer of thanksgiving to God for granting him favor with the king. He acknowledges God's faithfulness and mercy, and expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to serve God and his people. Nehemiah 1 is a powerful chapter that speaks to the heart of God's people. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and mercy, and an example of how we should approach God in prayer and respond to difficult situations.