Study together · The Cast

Nehemiah

A royal cupbearer who left the palace to rebuild a broken city, and would not come down off the wall.

The story

1. Weeps over the news Neh 1:1-11

   Comfortable in Susa, he hears Jerusalem lies in ruins. He mourns, fasts, and confesses his people's sin.

2. Asks the king Neh 2:1-8

   Very much afraid, he prays silently and makes his request. The king grants it.

3. Builds under threat Neh 4:1-23

   Enemies mock and plot. He sets guards, arms the builders, and tells them to remember the Lord.

4. Defends the poor Neh 5:1-13

   He confronts the nobles for exploiting their own people and makes them return what they took.

5. The wall is finished Neh 6:15-16

   Done in fifty-two days. Even their enemies see this work was done with the help of God.

6. Returns to find compromise Neh 13:6-31

   Back after time away, he finds old sins returning. He throws out Tobiah's goods, enforces the Sabbath, and rages at the men.

Key verses

“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” Nehemiah 6:3 (ESV)

Read together: Neh 1:1-11 · Neh 2:1-8 · Neh 4:1-23 · Neh 5:1-13 · Neh 6:15-16 · Neh 13:6-31

Questions to sit with

1. Nehemiah prayed in the moment before he spoke to the king. What would it look like to pray that way in your work?
2. His reforms faded when he left. Where are you relying on your own effort to hold things together?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.