Dusk on a high palace terrace at Susa: a lone man in an ocher court robe sits on a low stone step with his head bowed, a plain gold bowl set down untouched beside him, under a wide, empty amber and blue sky.

The Book of

Nehemiah 1

Far from home, a trusted servant of the king hears that Jerusalem’s wall still lies in ruins.

11 verses≈ 3 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2The callA cupbearer prays and is sentChapter 1
3–6The wallBuilt under fire in 52 days
7The peopleThe families remembered
8–10The WordRead, confessed, sworn
11–12The citySettled and dedicated
13The endingPromises broken, reforms again

Nehemiah’s Prayer

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,

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Nehemiah

Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

Hanani

And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace.

Hanani

Hanani

The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Nehemiah 1:4

Reflect

What breaks your heart?

Nehemiah was safe, well paid and a thousand miles away, and he wept for a city he may never have seen. What need in God’s world will not leave you alone? Write it down, and tell God about it before you do anything else.

Night in a small plain room at Susa: a man in an ocher robe, seen from behind and to one side, kneels on a reed mat by a clay lamp with his hands open, bread and a cup left untouched on a low table.

Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites.

0:24

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.

Nehemiah

O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)

How he prayed

Whiteboard

He does not start with the request. He starts with who God is, tells the truth about the people, and holds on to what God has said. Only then does he ask.

Question

Quick question

What sent Nehemiah to his knees?

What news made Nehemiah sit down and weep?

You’ve experienced

Nehemiah 1

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A verse to carry with you

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:4

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