Study the Bible in Two Years

Nehemiah 11-13

1.   Read 11:1-4 and then note the headings of the rest of the chapter.  You do not need to read all the names.  We now find out why Nehemiah wanted the list of settlers.  Some volunteered to move toJerusalem, especially their leaders. How did they decide the rest?  How many of the people were supposed to move there?  Why do you think the people might not want to move to thisnew city?  Are there similar reasons why people today resist “moving into” the new Jerusalem, which is God’s church?

 2.  Skip 12:1-26 and begin with verse 27.  The two groups, led by Ezra and Nehemiah, went in opposite directions and met on the northeastern corner of the city, where there would be some flat land for a group to gather.  As you read, note how often music and choirs are mentioned.  Why is music such an important part of our worship to this day?

 3.  We know that Nehemiah stayed inJerusalem12 years, and then returned to serve King Artaxerxes.  “Later on” he returned toJerusalemand had to make reforms.  Where was Tobiah, the Ammonite enemy, living?  13:7-8.  Who had married the daughter of Sanballat, the other main enemy leader?  13:28.   If they couldn’t “beat”Israelfrom the outside, they were sure to bring her down from the inside.  How is that similar to the church today?

 4.  How the people disobeyed the Sabbath law is described in 13:15-22.  Some might use this passage to condemn the fact that our stores are open on Sunday.  Why can’t you do that?  Recall Colossians 2:16,17.   Jesus is our real Sabbath!  We come to him for rest!

Study the Bible in Two Years

Nehemiah 9-10

1.  The Feast of Booths ended on the 21^st day of the month.  But the people stayed to do what? See 9:3.  In their praise to the Lord, they review all the major events ofIsrael’s history.  How do we do that today through our church year?  What major events do we remember?

  2. When the people became arrogant and disobedient, how did the Lord react?  See 9:30-32.  What is God’s “covenant of love” to us today?

 3.  All of the things they promised to do in chapter 10 were part of the original Law of Moses. How do we show our love for the Lord who has given us all things?  See 1 John 5:3.

 

Study the Bible in Two Years

– Nehemiah 7-8

1.  What was the next problem that Nehemiah needed to solve?  See 7:4.  To do this, he brings out the old genealogical record from the first exiles, almost 100 years ago.  This list is also in Ezra 2.  How he will use it is recorded in Nehemiah 11.  You may skip the rest of chapter 7.

 2.  When the people assembled, what did Ezra do?  How long did this take?  See 8:3.  Why might the people be so eager to hear this, compared to us today?  After the service, there was celebration and food!  Why did they celebrate?  See 8:12.

 3.  The Lord had originally commanded the “Feast of Booths” or tabernacles, to remind the people that they were once wanderers and here we have no permanent home.  This feast is described in detail in Leviticus 23:33-44.  It lasted a full week and was also a fall harvest festival.  What can this feast teach us?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Nehemiah 4-6

1.  How did Nehemiah react to the threats of violence and attack?  How did he encourage the people?  See 4:14.  How does this chapter illustrate the saying:  “Work hard as if it is all up to you, and pray because it is all up to God.”

 2.  What were some of the problems that the people were dealing with in Chapter 5?  Who was charging them “usury” or interest on their loans?  What was high interest at that time?  See 5:11.  The worst part: what were they doing with the people who could not pay?  Note what Nehemiah was doing for those people, 5:8.   What situations may arise in our family of faith where you do not want to treat your fellow believers like the rest of the world? 

 3.  What were some of the schemes that the enemies used in Chapter 6?   These men had made allies within the Jewish community as well.  See 6:12 and 17.  Paul also warns us of something similar:  See 2 Corinthians 6:14.   Does this apply to marriage as well?  Note how intermarriage had also caused some of these problems in Nehemiah’s day.

Study the Bible in Two Years

Nehemiah 4-6

1.  How did Nehemiah react to the threats of violence and attack?  How did he encourage the people?  See 4:14.  How does this chapter illustrate the saying:  “Work hard as if it is all up to you, and pray because it is all up to God.”

 2.  What were some of the problems that the people were dealing with in Chapter 5?  Who was charging them “usury” or interest on their loans?  What was high interest at that time?  See 5:11.  The worst part: what were they doing with the people who could not pay?  Note what Nehemiah was doing for those people, 5:8.   What situations may arise in our family of faith where you do not want to treat your fellow believers like the rest of the world? 

 3.  What were some of the schemes that the enemies used in Chapter 6?   These men had made allies within the Jewish community as well.  See 6:12 and 17.  Paul also warns us of something similar:  See 2 Corinthians 6:14.   Does this apply to marriage as well?  Note how intermarriage had also caused some of these problems in Nehemiah’s day.

Study the Bible in Two Years

Nehemiah 2-3

1.   King Artaxerxes notices that there is something bothering Nehemiah.  What does Nehemiah ask for?  What does he say about why the King granted his requests? See 2:8.

 2.  Note the names of those who are opposing the rebuilding plans, in 2:19.  These men are not Persian governors, but leaders of their peoples within the Persian state of Trans-Euphrates, which also includesJudahandJerusalem.  How does Nehemiah answer their objection that he is rebelling against the King?  See 2:20.   What attitude does Nehemiah give us when we take on projects for the Lord? 

 3.  Chapter 3 is a detailed list of all the people involved in rebuilding the walls and gates ofJerusalem.  What does this tell you about what we need for the success of our projects or programs for the Lord? 

 

Study the Bible in Two Years

Nehemiah 1

1.  It is 13 years after the book of Ezra, the 20^th year of the Persian King Artaxerxes.  This puts the beginning of Nehemiah’s book at 445 BC.  Where is Nehemiah and what was he doing there?  He mentions his job for the King in the last phrase of chapter 1. What was happening inJerusalem that got Nehemiah upset?  How did he handle this bad news?

 2.  Nehemiah contains more prayers per page than any other book of the Bible.  A good prayer will often contain praise to God and confession of sins.  How does Nehemiah praise the Lord?  What does he confess?  What does he specifically ask for at the end of his prayer?

 3. Prayer is our response to God’s speaking to us in the Word.  What Word of God does Nehemiah recall in his prayer?  Note: this is not a direct quote but a summary of passages from Deuteronomy, especially 30:1-5.  God’s Word is in his heart.  What encouragement does that give you for continuing to ponder and learn his Word?