Introduction:
A. Have you ever had someone deliver you some news saying, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news, which do you want first?”
B. Here are a few “Good news/bad news” items for preachers.
1. Good News: You baptized seven people today in the river.
a. Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current.
2. Good News: The Women’s Bible study voted to send you a get-well card.
a. Bad News: The vote passed by a vote of 11-10.
3. Good News: The Elders have accepted your job description the way you wrote it.
a. Bad News: They were so inspired by it, they formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the position.
4 Good News: Mrs. Smith is wild about your sermons.
a. Bad News: Mrs. Smith is also wild about the TV show “Wipe Out”, and the movie “Dumb and Dumber.”
5. Good News: Your church’s women's softball team finally won a game.
a. Bad News: They beat your church’s men’s softball team.
6. Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks.
a. Bad News: You were on vacation.
C. Today, as we continue our sermon series “Restoring and Renewing the People of God – A Study of Ezra and Nehemiah,” we begin the story in the book of Nehemiah.
1. As we will see, Nehemiah’s story isn’t one of good news and bad news, but only bad news.
2. Let’s review where we have been so far in our series, and then jump into the story of Nehemiah, and see what God wants us to learn.
D. In this series, we have been examining the story of God’s people, the Israelites.
1. Ever since God had called their forefather, Abraham, God had been with them.
2. God was with Moses when Moses brought them out of Egypt, gave them the Law and brought them to the Promised Land.
3. God brought them into the Promised Land and gave them the power to drive out the inhabitants of that land.
4. God made them into a great nation with powerful kings like David and Solomon.
5. But after Solomon, the kingdom began a slow decline as it broke into two nations, Israel and Judah, north and south.
6. Both kingdoms disobeyed God for many years, and even though God warned them through the prophets that if they didn’t shape up, they would be sent into captivity, they continued to disobey.
7. And so the Northern Kingdom, Israel, fell into the hands of the Assyrians in 724 B.C., and the Southern Kingdom, Judah, fell into the hands of the Babylonias in 586 B.C.
8. But God did not leave them without hope – through the prophets, God predicted that after a period of captivity, God would move the hand of Cyrus the king of Persia, who would allow the Jews to return from captivity and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord.
9. So Cyrus did just that in 538 B.C., under the leadership of Zerubbabel, about 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem and finished rebuilding the temple in 515 B.C.
10. Ezra then led a second group to return to Jerusalem in 458 B.C. and Ezra led God’s people in restoring the faith according to the Law of the Lord.
11. That’s where the book of Ezra ended and that’s where we want to pick up the story today, as the story continues into the book of Nehemiah.
E. The story begins: 1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. (1:1-2)
1. Nehemiah identifies himself as the son of Hacaliah, but nothing more is known of Hacaliah, or Nehemiah’s heritage.
a. This is such a contrast to Ezra’s description of his heredity – you might remember it took 5 verses for Ezra to trace his lineage back to Aaron, Moses’ brother.
b. Nehemiah doesn’t have that kind of heritage, but that’s okay, because God can work through anyone!
2. Nehemiah then notes the month and year – it was the month of Kislev (mid-Nov to mid-Dec), and the year was 446 B.C.
a. Artaxerxes reigned from 464 to 423 B.C. and 446 B.C. falls in the 20th year of his reign.
b. This is about 13 years after Ezra had set out for Jerusalem.
3. Nehemiah then described his location – he was in the citadel of Susa – scholars believe this was the winter resort of the Persian kings.
4. Nehemiah says that he had some questions for Hanani and other men who had just returned from Judah.
a. Hanani may have been his literal brother, but more likely was just a kinsman, a relative.
b. What did Nehemiah question them about? He wanted to know all about the Jewish remnant and about Jerusalem.
c. Nehemiah may have been hoping for good news, but that wasn’t what he received.
F. The story continues: 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (1:3)
1. The reply of these men would be badly misunderstood if we just took it to speak of the ruins left by Nebuchadnezzar when he destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C.
2. Everybody knew that was the state of Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzar – that was old news, ancient history, right?
3. What Nehemiah received was more recent news and was a shattering blow.
4. What was going on here is most likely the sequence that we mentioned from Ezra 4:7-23, where it appears that an attempt to rebuild the walls was made known to Artaxerxes, who then promptly crushed the attempt “by force and power” (Ezra 4:23).
5. This was an ominous development, because the hostile neighbors and opponents of the exiles around Jerusalem could now claim royal backing.
6. The patronage of king Artaxerxes which Ezra had enjoyed when he was sent with the second wave of exiles was now suddenly in ruins, as completely as the city walls and gates were.
a. Remember how much support the king had sent with Ezra when he returned to Jerusalem in Ezra 7?
b. The text reported, “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6b).
c. King Artaxerxes had had a change of heart, his support of Ezra and the remnant had been withdrawn and now they were in great trouble and disgrace.
7. Jerusalem and the exiles were not only disarmed, but they were now on their own.
G. If you were Nehemiah, how might you have responded to such news.
1. The Bible says: 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (1:4)
2. When Nehemiah heard the report he grieved and his grief drove him to fasting and prayer.
3. This is a most appropriate response, don’t you think?
a. When the walls are broken down and there is opposition, then there is a time for grief.
b. When the walls are broken down, there is a time for weeping and mourning, fasting and praying.
c. And so that’s what Nehemiah did.
4. In our own lives, there are also times for grief and fasting and prayer.
a. When life comes tumbling in, and the walls are broken down, then it is a time to weep and mourn.
b. When our marriages or families are coming apart, then it is a time for grief.
c. When our spiritual lives fall apart, and when the spiritual river that flows through us begins to run dry, then it is a time to sit down and weep.
d. When the church faces some great struggle, or when it breaks apart and lies before us like the shattered pieces of a broken vase, then it is a time to grieve and weep, to mourn and pray.
H. Time spent in mourning and fasting and prayer is not wasted time.
1. In many respects it can be the most productive time of all, if we use it like Nehemiah did.
2. When we look at verse 1 of chapter two, we notice that four months pass from 1:1 to 2:1.
3. I would assume that this prayer with its’ attitudes and actions were things that Nehemiah was focusing on during that 4 month period.
4. As we take a look at this prayer Nehemiah prayed, we notice three important things we must do when we are faced with challenging circumstances that cause us to weep and mourn.
When the Walls are Broken Down
A. First of all, Nehemiah recognized and repented of the sin that brought about this situation.
1. Nehemiah prayed: 5 Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.” (Neh. 1:5-7)
2. Let me say, before I go any further, that there are exceptions to this rule.
a. Sometimes we face negative situations in our lives and they are not the result of sin.
b. Sometimes things happen to us and we have not done anything wrong.
3. But, that being said, sometimes when the walls are broken down, when life comes tumbling in , when my spiritual life is dry, and God seems so distant, it’s the direct result of personal sin.
a. When that is the case, the place to begin is to recognize and repent of sin.
b. The road to recovery often begins with accepting responsibility for our sins.
4. That’s what Nehemiah did in verses 6 and 7.
a. Who’s responsible Nehemiah? “We are!” Who sinned? “We did!”
5. Unfortunately, often times, when everything is a mess, we want to put the blame on somebody else.
a. I’m certain that some of the Israelites were pointing the finger of blame at God, saying, “Why did you let this happen? Why didn’t you protect us? Aren’t you supposed to be our God?”
b. But you see, the problem wasn’t with God. God had done His part, but the Israelites hadn’t done their part. And until they recognized and confessed that the problem was theirs, there would be no healing.
6. So, when our lives are a mess, and the walls are broken down, and everything looks bleak, we must search our hearts and lives to see if the responsibility is ours.
a. If it is the result of sin, then the place to begin is to confess that sin to God.
b. You can do that this very minute, and if you will, then God will be gracious to forgive you and help you.
7. Nehemiah gives us a wonderful example of how to approach God in prayer.
a. He begins with humble praise that acknowledges the greatness of God.
b. Then he quickly moves into honest, heartfelt confession.
c. Nehemiah didn’t act like others were sinners, but not him – he put himself right in the middle of those who had acted wickedly and sinned against God.
8. So, when the walls are broken down and we are grieving about it, we need to recognize and repent of any sin that may have contributed to the mess.
B. Second, we must remember the Word of God and claim God’s promises.
1. Nehemiah continued to pray: 8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ 10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.” (Neh. 1:8-10)
2. Nehemiah came humbly before God empty-handed, but he did not come uninvited.
a. Nehemiah the promises of Scripture well enough to make a strong, bold plea.
b. Nehemiah drew on several passages from Deuteronomy – most significantly, in verse 10, he quoted the words Moses used as he pleaded for Israel on Mount Sinai (Deut. 9:29).
c. At that time, Moses pleaded for God to stand by His own (your servants and your people), and by the work He had so strenuously begun.
d. You will recall that in that moment Israel had been threatened by God with extinction.
e. And just like Moses interceded for Israel at that time years earlier, now Nehemiah needed to intercede for Israel in his time.
3. As you know, the Word of God is full of promises – Precious promises!
a. When the walls are broken down, we need to remember God’s promises, and we need to boldly claim those promises before God.
b. Nehemiah informed God that he intended to take God up on His Word.
c. God had warned Israel that if they were unfaithful, He would scatter them, but if they would return to Him, that God would allow them to return and be restored.
4. Just like God waited for Israel and for Nehemiah to claim His promises, God still waits for His people today to do the same.
a. God is waiting for us to remember His great and precious promises, and God is waiting for us to inform Him that we intend to take Him up on His Word.
5. We could spend hours and hours talking about the promises of God that we are encouraged and challenged to claim.
a. God has promised to forgive us our sins if we will confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:9).
b. God has promised to help us and to strengthen us (Ps. 46:1).
c. God has promised to give us everything we need (Phil. 4:19).
d. God has promised us that if we love Him and if we seek His purposes, the He is able to make all things work for our good (Rom. 8:28).
e. Which promises of God do you need to pray about and claim before God?
6. When the walls were broken down in Nehemiah’s life, he remembered the promises of God and he took God at His Word, and that’s what we’ve got to do as well, isn’t it?
7. So, when the walls are broken down, the first two things we need to do are:
a. Recognize and Repent of our sins.
b. Remember and claim the promises of God.
8. But there’s one more thing we need to do.
C. Third, We need to resolve to do something about the situation, and request God’s help.
1. Nehemiah realized that the walls were broken down and that he had to do something about it.
2. Notice what he prayed: 11 “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
3. Nehemiah realized that he held an important position with the king, and so he prayed that God might grant him success when he approached the king with his concerns.
4. When the walls are broken down in our lives, and when everything comes tumbling in, we have to resolve to do something about it.
a. If we don’t resolve to do something about the walls, then they will never be rebuilt.
b. But once we resolve to do something, then we can ask for God’s help to insure success.
5. For our God is watching…He sees that the walls are crumbling…but He waits for us to ask for His help.
a. He waits for us to express resolve and for us to make a request.
b. But once we express resolve and make our requests, then God will give assistance.
D. Jerusalem was once the Holy City of God.
1. Israel was once the leading power of the world, and no one could stand against them.
2. But they kept on sinning and rebelling against God, and so God disciplined them.
3. After that period of discipline, God gave the Israelites another chance.
4. Thousands of the people of God returned to Jerusalem and began the rebuilding process.
a. Zerubbabel and his group got things off to a good start with the temple reconstruction.
b. Ezra and his group came along behind and began to rebuild the spiritual life in obedience to the Law.
5. But now, in Nehemiah’s time, about 100 years after Zerubbabel, the walls are still broken down, the rebuilding process has not been completed, there is still a lot of work to be done.
6. Where did Nehemiah need to begin? He began with prayer and fasting.
7. As he fasted and prayed, he did three things:
a. He recognized and repented of sin.
b. He remembered God’s Word and claimed God’s promises.
c. He resolved to do something, and requested God’s help.
E. Our lives may once have been like the city of Jerusalem – beautiful and full of life.
1. Our marriages and families may have been strong and happy.
2. Our spiritual lives may have been powerful and fruitful.
3. But something happened, and now the walls are broken down, life has come tumbling in, and everything is a mess, and is a cause to weep, and mourn.
4. We can follow the same approach as Nehemiah.
5. We can turn to fasting and praying.
a. We can recognize and repent of sin that may be involved in the situation.
b. We can remember the Word of God and claim God’s promises.
c. We can resolve to do something, and request God’s help.
Conclusion:
A. All this reminds me of the Parable of the Prodigal Son that we have been studying on Wednesday nights this summer.
1. It is such a rich and powerful story about our loving and graceful God.
2. The prodigal son had had so much, but lost it all.
3. The prodigal found himself at rock bottom…truly a place to grieve and mourn.
4. But then he was willing to look at what he had done wrong, he remembered how great was his father, and he resolved to go home and ask for mercy.
5. What was the father waiting for him to do? He was waiting for him to humbly come home.
6. And when he came, the father came running to him.
B. God invites us to come:
1. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
2. If you haven’t given your life to Jesus, please realize that he loves you and he will forgive you. He will bring power to your life, and give you rest from your weariness. If you believe and are baptized you will be saved.
3. If you are already a Christian, but the walls are broken down in your life and you need help, Jesus calls you to come and receive forgiveness, rest, and help.
Resources:
Ezra-Nehemiah, by Mark Throntveit, Interpretation Commentary Series, 1992
Ezra & Nehemiah, by Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 1979
Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther, by J. Vernon McGee
