Nehemiah

🏛️ Historical context

A century after the return, Jerusalem was still without walls and exposed to its enemies. Nehemiah was appointed governor of Judah by the Persian king Artaxerxes I.

🔙 Background

Nehemiah learns of Jerusalem's sad state, fasts, prays and asks the king to let him go and rebuild it.

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1Nehemiah's prayer (ch. 1)
2. 2The wall rebuilt in 52 days despite opposition (ch. 3-6)
3. 3Ezra reads the Law before all the people (ch. 8)
4. 4"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (8:10)
5. 5The people renew the covenant (ch. 9-10)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• Nehemiah 1:5And I said: I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keepest covenant and mercy with those that love thee, and keep thy commandments:
• Nehemiah 2:20And I answered them, and said to them: The God of heaven he helpeth us, and we are his servants: let us rise up and build: but you have no part, nor justice, nor remembrance in Jerusalem.
• Nehemiah 4:14And I looked and rose up: and I said to the chief men and the magistrates, and to the rest of the common people: be not afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, and your wives, and your houses.
• Nehemiah 8:8And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read.
• Nehemiah 8:10And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

💭 For reflection

• How do I combine prayer and work in my projects?
• What does it mean that "the joy of the Lord is our strength"?

It narrates how Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king of Persia, returns to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls despite opposition. It culminates with Ezra's solemn reading of the law and the renewal of the covenant.