Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Made by Isaiah Banks

​Why study this book?

The book of Nehemiah provides an account of Nehemiah, a leader of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem. Under his direction, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. However, “Nehemiah was not satisfied with simply building physical structures; he wanted his people to be edified spiritually as well,” and he helped the Jews “take control of their lives, land, and destiny as the people of God”. He also exemplified many righteous qualities. “He was humble, self-motivated, confident in the will of God, willing to take the lead, full of faith, fearless, an organizer, obedient, and just”. By studying the book of Nehemiah, students can both see an example of righteous leadership and learn the value of building themselves spiritually.​

Who wrote this book?​

The author of the book of Nehemiah is unknown. However, the book has an autobiographical style. Nehemiah 1:1 mentions that these are “the words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah,” and the rest of the narrative is written primarily in the first person. This may suggest that at least portions of the book were written by Nehemiah himself.​

Multiple Select

When work on the walls began, certain people were angry about it. Their names, as recorded in Nehemiah 2:19, were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. According to the NKJV, of what 3 tribes were they?

• Sanballat=Horonite

• Tobiah=Ammonite

• Geshem=Arab or Arabian

​What are some distinctive features of this book?

​The book of Nehemiah is the continuation of the account that begins in the book of Ezra. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah originally made up one book in the Hebrew scriptural canon. The book was divided into two books in the third century A.D. The book of Nehemiah records an important time in Jewish history, which included the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem as well as the rebuilding of the spiritual lives of the Jews who had returned from captivity. When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after their long captivity in Babylon, they found their city in ruins. The protective wall around the city of Jerusalem had been reduced to rubble, which left the Israelites vulnerable to attacks by their enemies. Under the direction of Nehemiah, the Israelites began to rebuild the wall.

​During the reconstruction of the wall, the Israelites faced opposition. When Nehemiah’s enemies tried to lure him away from the site, he responded, “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?” (Nehemiah 6:3). In so doing, Nehemiah demonstrated his commitment to fulfilling the pledge he had made to the Lord to rebuild Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 1:11; 2:4–5). Nehemiah can serve as an example to us of the importance of remaining faithful to the Lord even amid opposition.

Multiple Choice

Who is Nehemiah's father?

• David

• Hacaliah

• Hazan

• Chisleu

​Nehemiah 1:1 "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace. When Nehemiah was younger he was a cupbearer for the King of Persia.

Multiple Choice

Why did the King let Nehemiah go to Jerusalem?

• He wanted to get rid of him.

• He thought Nehemiah could use a vacation.

• Nehemiah threatened him.

• He saw how sad Nehemiah looked.

​Nehemiah was sad because his father was from Judah and the city was being destroyed, so the king let him go and act as governor.

Multiple Choice

What grieved Sanballat and Tobian?

• That a man came to help the Israelites.

• That the king wasn't coming himself.

• That Nehemiah was the one the king sent.

• That they couldn't eat pork.

​Nehemiah 2:10: When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come to a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. Sanballat and Tobian didn't like the idea of people worrying about what was going on with the Israelites. Grieved, if we look at the New King James Version means "deeply disturbed". In the New Living Translation, it says they were "very angry that someone had come who was interested in helping Israel."

​Nehemiah 4:20 "In what place, therefore, ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us; our God shall fight for us."Israel has always been under hardships and wars. But the Israelites believe that they are God's chosen people, and therefore He'll always fight for them and protect them.

​Nehemiah 6:15 "So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days." Elul is one of the summer months of the Hebrew calendar. It has 29 days in it.

Multiple Select

As Nehemiah begins his inspection of the broken walls of his beloved Jerusalem, he encounters 3 enemies of the nation. We are told in chapter 2 that they are grieved that someone cares enough to try to help the children of Israel. What are the names of these three troublemakers?

• Sanballat

• Gladstone

• Tobiah

• Horowitz

• Geshem

Multiple Choice

What feast are they celebrating in chapter 8?

• Feast of Lights

• Feast of Days

• Feast of Tabernacles

​The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as Sukkot. It is 8 days long.

Multiple Choice

Who brought the offerings of corn and new wine?

• Children of Levi

• Children of Gad

• Children of Simeon

• Children of Reuben

​Nehemiah 10:39 "For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of 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."It was customary to offer food to God in the days of the Old Testament. We still make offerings today when we tithe our money.

Multiple Choice

Who is Shealtiel's son?

• Zanoah

• Zerubbabel

• Zareah

​Nehemiah 12:1 "Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra." Zerubbabel is known for starting the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem.

Multiple Select

Who wasn't allowed in the "congregation of God forever" according to the King James Version Chapter 13?

• Levites

• Ammonites

• Moabites

• Noabites

​Nehemiah 13:1 "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 shouldn't come into the congregation of God forever." The Israelites only traced the lineage through the father's side, so if you were an Ammonite or Moabite on your mother's side it was okay.

​Nehemiah 13:31 "And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the 1st fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good."

Poll

How was this lesson?

• Excellent

• Very Good

• Good

• Fair

• Poor