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All services are now in St Thomas.
But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 13:6-7, NIV)
After the people had seen the wonderful works of God, had realised and confessed their sin, and recommitted themselves to following God's ways, Nehemiah had been summoned back to King Artaxerxes. What would he find on his return? Would the people still be committed to their God and his ways, or will they have returned to their old ways? Why not join us this Sunday as we see what happened next, and what God's grace looks like?
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. (Nehemiah 9:1, NIV)
The walls have been completed, the gate and doors have been fixed in place, and the people have gathered together. So, with all of that success, why are the people fasting and wearing sackcloth? What is it that has caused them to do this? How do they move from this to praising God? What do we see about God's goodness and grace to us as we continue to study the book of Nehemiah?
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realised that this work had been done with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6:16, NIV)
There have been hints from the beginning that there will be opposition to building the walls. In chapter 4, the workers face physical attack. This Sunday, we'll see the opposition intensify and take on personal, political and pseudo-religious angles. How do we see the opposition play out? How does seeing it help us? More importantly, how do we see God's grace in action?
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, ‘We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.’ (Nehemiah 5:1-2, NIV)
As the work continues in building up the walls of Jerusalem, a problem is revealed. Despite working hard on rebuilding, some of the poorest are being taken advantage of by their fellow Jews: interest is being charged on loans, land and is being taken away, and even their children are being taken as slaves. What is to be done to help? What can Nehemiah do? How does this passage help us to see the wonder of Jesus, and his provision?
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All services are now in St Thomas.
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them. (Nehemiah 3:1-2, NIV)
Nehemiah's prayers and request to the king have been granted, and he has arrived in Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. At the start of chapter 3, we read about the work beginning - it reads a little like a list of 'thank you's for a job well done. Nehemiah's prayers, plans, and trust in God's provision have resulted in the walls being built. He's not alone, however, lots of people join in. Why not join us on Sunday morning, as we look at the invitation not just to join God's Kingdom, but to be part of building it?