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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 4: Nehemiah 5

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 5

Some Jews spoke of their troubles to Nehemiah, saying they had to borrow money to pay the king’s taxes, and their children were forced into slavery, to get grain. Nehemiah went to the nobles and officials, telling them to stop taking advantage of their own people by charging interest and taking their fields and vineyards. The nobles agreed to give the land back. Nehemiah worked for the people and the land, never demanding the food allotted to the governor.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 4: Nehemiah 5

9a) Some Jews had to borrow money to pay the king’s taxes, and their children were forced into slavery to get grain.

b) They were doing this to their own people. The nation of Israel may collapse from within, effectively allowing its enemies to succeed as work on the wall may stop.

10a) He listened to the people and brought together those who could do something about it. He reasoned with them and pointed out that they should be united to avoid the reproach of the Gentile enemies. The officials and nobles acquiesced and agreed to return the land to the people. Nehemiah showed compassion by getting angry on behalf of the victims and humility by refusing his own governor’s allowance. He used wisdom by thinking carefully before reacting (“consulted with myself”) and maturity by confronting powerful nobles publicly yet constructively, ensuring restitution and restoring unity without fracturing the community.

b) By confessing and turning away from my sin and drawing closer to God. Pray, too.

11a) Nehemiah demonstrated the fear of God by refusing his entitlements to avoid burdening the people (Nehemiah 5:15). He exemplified servant leadership and compassion, sacrificing personal gain to relieve the Jews’ suffering. His actions reflected generosity and integrity, contrasting sharply with the greed of previous governors who exploited the community.

b) I can emulate Jesus through humble service, prioritizing others’ needs over my own status. By adopting Paul’s mindset, I can willingly forfeit personal rights and adapt to different people—“becoming all things”—to remove barriers and win hearts for the Gospel through sacrificial love.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 4: Nehemiah 5

Great lesson on putting others first, listening to others’ problems, and working towards solutions.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 4: Nehemiah 5

Not being unified is another trick of the devil to get his way. Since the devil couldn’t defeat the Israelites externally, he tried internally.

The people lacked food since they were building the walls. The famine drove the price of food up, creating this financial crisis. The rich Jews were charging interest and taking advantage of the people’s woes.

Money problems can disrupt God’s plans. It can affect you for years. Handling money is a spiritual job, too.

Nehemiah confronted the problem directly. We are to consult God with our problems.

The people admitted they were wrong and did right. We all need to do this.

Nehemiah himself did what was right before God, and he was generous.

Nehemiah led by example and did right before God. Therefore, he will be rewarded in heaven, as we all will be.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Internal Crisis (Verses 1–5)

The Outcry: While the enemy attacked from the outside, the community was rotting from the inside. A severe famine, combined with heavy Persian taxes, forced the poor into a desperate cycle. The Injustice: Wealthy Jews were exploiting their desperate brothers by charging high interest (usury). Poor families were forced to mortgage their fields and even sell their children into slavery just to eat. The unity built in Chapter 3 was shattering under economic oppression.

The Confrontation (Verses 6–13)

The Anger: Nehemiah becomes “very angry” (v. 6). He does not excuse the nobles because of their status. After “thinking it over” (consulting with himself/God), he publicly rebukes them. The Argument: He points out the hypocrisy: “We have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations… but you would sell your brothers?” The Resolution: He holds a “great assembly” and demands they stop the usury and return the fields and houses immediately. The priests witness the oath. The Symbol: Nehemiah shakes out the fold of his garment, declaring that God should “shake out” any man from his house who does not keep this promise. The people shout “Amen!” and the reform is enacted.

The Governor’s Example (Verses 14–19)

The Contrast: Nehemiah records that for the 12 years he served as governor, he never took the food allowance allotted to him, unlike previous governors who burdened the people. The Generosity: Instead of taking, he gave. He fed 150 Jews and officials at his table daily at his own expense because “the servitude was heavy on these people.” The Prayer: He ends with a simple prayer: “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.”

Conclusion

Nehemiah 5 teaches that integrity is the foundation of authority.

Nehemiah could not have commanded the people to build the wall if he were exploiting them like the other nobles. By sacrificing his own rights (money/food) for the sake of the people’s welfare, he proved that he loved the people more than his position. True leadership is not about privileges; it is about sacrifice.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 3: Nehemiah 4:7-23

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 4:7-23

The Israelites’ enemies planned to come together and attack the people. But, they prayed and decided to fight back. They continued to build the wall and had guards keep them safe. They stayed vigilant, determined to build the wall and keep their enemies at bay.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 3: Nehemiah 4:7-23

6a)

The enemies’ reaction to the progress of building the wall: Israel’s enemies were angry. They plotted against the Israelites and planned to stir up trouble. They planned to murder them.

The Jewish people’s response to the threat: The Jewish people prayed to God and posted guards day and night to meet this threat.

Nehemiah’s solution: He posted guards and stationed people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears, and bows. He told them to remember God and fight for their families.

The people’s response to Nehemiah: They did as he said and then returned to building the wall.

b) This is everywhere. People who don’t like what others are doing threaten violence, and many carry it out. We should pray to fight back with God’s strength.

7) Half of the men worked and half guarded. Nehemiah said that God would fight for them. The people came up with a solution to ward off their enemies and allow God to fight the battle.

8a) Nehemiah prays and comes up with practical solutions that the Israelites can implement. Nehemiah modeled servant leadership by sharing the danger rather than commanding from safety. He stood on the wall, organized protection for the vulnerable, and endured the same grueling vigilance—refusing to even change his clothes (v. 23). His presence reassured the people that he would never ask them to make a sacrifice he wouldn’t.

b) Same. Pray while working towards solutions in my life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 3: Nehemiah 4:7-23

Nothing can stop God’s plan for your life and the world. Great lesson on prayer and on action working together to accomplish God’s purposes for us.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 3: Nehemiah 4:7-23

Confusion and threats are common strategies of Satan to get us to give up on God’s work.

The people drew closer to God during this time, which is what God wants for us!

We are always to pray and act. Our prayers make our actions effective for God’s work.

You can’t quit at the halfway point.

We are attacked the most when we are at our lowest.

You never know who is listening to you.

It’s important to remember who is your power (God) and what you are fighting for (your family).

Victory is enduring the attack and then continuing God’s work. Here, the enemy knew they would lose when seeing God’s people prepare for battle.

We hold a sword against the enemy and a trowel to do the work He has planned for us.

The people were always prepared and working hard for God.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Escalation to Violence (Verses 7–12)

The Plot: When mockery fails, the enemies (Sanballat, Tobiah, Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites) form a coalition to surround Jerusalem from all sides. They plan a surprise attack to kill the workers and stop the project. The Internal Morale: The pressure works. The people of Judah begin to crumble, singing a song of defeat: “The strength of the burden-bearers is failing… we are not able to build the wall.” Fear spreads as Jews living near the enemies report the attack plans “ten times.”

The Strategic Pivot (Verses 13–23)

The Response: Nehemiah stops the work temporarily to secure the people.

  1. Armed Families: He positions people by families with swords, spears, and bows at the exposed parts of the wall. This ensures men are fighting for their own wives and children (v. 13-14).

  2. The Rallying Cry: He gives a famous speech: “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

The New Normal: Once the immediate threat subsides, they adopt a “sword and trowel” policy:

  • Half work, half watch: 50% build while 50% hold shields and bows.

  • Ready Weapons: Even the builders work with one hand and hold a weapon in the other (or strap a sword to their side).

  • Communication: A trumpeter stays by Nehemiah’s side to sound the alarm, so they can rally together.

Conclusion

Nehemiah 4:7–23 teaches that spiritual work often requires vigilance as much as diligence.

Nehemiah refused to choose between faith and prudence. He told them to “Remember the Lord” (faith) but also to “fight” (action). This passage illustrates that true reliance on God does not mean passivity in the face of danger; it means trusting God enough to stand your ground.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 2: Nehemiah 4:1-6

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 4:1-6

Sanballat and Tobiah insulted the Israelites as they rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. Nehemiah prayed to God to take them captive as punishment for ridiculing God. The people rebuilt the wall anyway.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 2: Nehemiah 4:1-6

3a) Sanballat said they were feeble. He ridiculed God’s powers by asking if they would finish in a day and if they would bring the stones to life. Tobiah said that the wall would be so weak that a fox could break it.

b) Very similar taunts. People will target the people themselves and God and question their abilities and powers.

4) Nehemiah prayed (as we all should) when we face persecution.

5a) They worked with all their hearts for God and ignored their taunts.

b) God. The words of others. Prayer.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 2: Nehemiah 4:1-6

I love examples in the Bible where God’s people overcome everything for His purposes!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 2: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Many will try to discourage you when you are doing God’s work. But God is with you always.

Nehemiah responds with prayer. He took it to God. We are to rely on God in the face of opposition.

God will fight for us. We turn our enemies over to God to deal with justly.

We use our minds to overcome.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Psychological Attack (Verses 1–3)

The Anger: Sanballat is furious that the work is actually proceeding. He resorts to public humiliation to demoralize the builders. The Mockery: He asks five rhetorical questions to highlight Jewish weakness:

  1. “What are these feeble Jews doing?” (Attacking their strength)

  2. “Will they restore it for themselves?” (Attacking their autonomy)

  3. “Will they sacrifice?” (Attacking their faith/implying religious fanaticism)

  4. “Will they finish in a day?” (Attacking their grasp of reality)

  5. “Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish?” (Attacking the quality of materials) The Insult: Tobiah the Ammonite joins in with a biting sarcasm: “If a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” This suggests their work is so amateur that even a small animal could destroy it.

The Spiritual Defense (Verses 4–6)

The Prayer: Nehemiah does not debate the critics. Instead, he prays an imprecatory prayer (a prayer for judgment). He asks God to:

  • Hear their contempt.

  • Turn their reproach back on their own heads.

  • Not cover their guilt, because they have “provoked You to anger.” Nehemiah views an attack on the work as an attack on God Himself.

The Persistence: The result of this prayer is focus. The people had a “mind to work,” and the wall was joined together to half its intended height.

Conclusion

Nehemiah 4:1–6 teaches that ridicule is often the first weapon of the enemy.

When progress is made, pushback is inevitable. Nehemiah demonstrates that the correct response to mockery is not to engage in a shouting match, but to take the insult to God in prayer and keep working. The best answer to a critic is a finished wall.

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Friday’s Digest BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF EXILE & RETURN: A TIME TO BUILD LESSON 23

  • God leads us to trust Him as we accomplish His will
  • We must always be people of prayer
  • We express love through obedience to Him
  • Surrender your personal plans and seek His will
  • He rebuilds and transforms our lives
  • Believers are strengthened when we work together
  • God empowers us when we trust Him
  • He can do the impossible
  • God challenges our faith and proves His faithfulness
  • Find His plans for our lives

TAKE AWAY: Life of faith is not easy.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 5: Nehemiah 3

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 3

The people went to work rebuilding the gates and the wall of Jerusalem.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 5: Nehemiah 3

12) Nehemiah fostered unity by erasing social hierarchies, having priests work alongside perfumers and daughters alongside rulers. He leveraged diversity by assigning families to repair sections “opposite their own houses,” brilliantly aligning personal motivation with the public good. This ensured every unique skill contributed to the collective defense, making the wall a shared victory.

13) Their involvement, beginning at the Sheep Gate, signified that spiritual restoration anchors physical security. By laboring alongside laypeople, they modeled servant leadership and sanctified the construction, demonstrating that protecting God’s people is as holy a task as temple service. It established that true revival requires both prayer and practical work.

14a) Nehemiah 3 illustrates that a faith community thrives on interdependence. When diverse believers—from priests to laborers—unite for a God-given vision, individual weaknesses are covered by collective strength. It reveals that spiritual security is a shared project, where every person’s contribution is vital for the whole body’s defense. It also shows how, when we work together, we can do more than we can when we work alone.

b) Even though my contribution may be small, collectively, we can accomplish a lot. I’m inspired to do my part for the whole and the greater good.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 5: Nehemiah 3

Great lesson on how everyone can do their part to improve their community, which can result in big things being accomplished.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 5: Nehemiah 3

Note how everyone is working. The work started with the gates since they were the most vulnerable to attack.

The Sheep Gate was where the shepherds herded their sheep for sale.

Note how the high priests were leading by example.

The gates were consecrated, set apart for God. We should do everything for God.

The Fish Gate was named for the fish market.

Fun Fact: The word for repairs is used more than 35 times in this chapter. Repairs are strengthening and building up for something bigger. Jesus was a builder who built us up.

Passion and drive can accomplish much for Jesus.

The Broad Wall was more than 20 feet wide.

Work should be done in our homes.

Here, we see the importance of believers working together for His purposes.

The work progressed counter-clockwise and was completed in just 52 days.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Strategy: Nehemiah 3 is a masterclass in delegation. Nehemiah divides the massive project into manageable sections, assigning them to families, priests, and professional guilds (goldsmiths, perfume makers). The Participation:

  • Top to Bottom: The High Priest Eliashib sets the example by building the Sheep Gate (v. 1).

  • Diverse Group: The list includes rulers, commoners, women (the daughters of Shallum, v. 12), and residents from surrounding towns like Jericho and Tekoa.

  • The Shame: The “nobles” of Tekoa are singled out (v. 5) because they refused to “stoop to serve their Lord,” contrasting sharply with the common people who worked diligently.

The Spiritual Circuit

The construction follows a specific counter-clockwise path around the city. Many scholars view this progression as a picture of spiritual growth:

  1. Sheep Gate: Sacrifice (Starts and ends here).

  2. Fish Gate: Evangelism.

  3. Old Gate: Truth/Foundations.

  4. Valley Gate: Humility/Trials.

  5. Dung Gate: Cleansing/Sanctification.

  6. Fountain Gate: Holy Spirit.

  7. Water Gate: The Word of God.

  8. Horse Gate: Spiritual Warfare.

  9. East Gate: Hope of Return.

  10. Inspection Gate: Judgment.

Conclusion

Nehemiah 3 is a portrait of shared stewardship.

It demonstrates that God’s work is not for a few superstars but for the whole community. By assigning people to build the wall “opposite their own house” (v. 28), Nehemiah brilliantly combined public duty with personal interest. The chapter teaches that unity is not uniformity; it is diverse people working toward a single, God-given goal.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 4: Nehemiah 2:11-20

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 2:11-20

Nehemiah inspected the walls and gates. Then he told the people they would be rebuilding the wall and gates of Jerusalem. He told the people that God had helped him. They agreed to start the rebuilding process.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 4: Nehemiah 2:11-20

9a) He probably wanted to see the scope of the project he was undertaking. He also probably wanted to go undetected by Jerusalem’s enemies, Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab.

b) We need to know what we are undertaking, so we can prepare properly for the task so that we will have success.

10a) He told them to rebuild Jerusalem so that they would no longer be in disgrace. He said they had God and the king on their side.

b) The desire to succeed. God’s will behind me. The sense of accomplishment. People move forward by honestly assessing their reality—the “rubble”—while anchoring hope in God’s faithfulness. Nehemiah showed that testifying to God’s past support inspires future courage. This blend of realistic evaluation and spiritual confidence empowers us to commit to the new work and say, “Let us rise up.”

c) By reminding them that we are in this together and by reminding them of the power of prayer and the Lord’s will. We encourage each other by sharing testimonies of God’s provision, just as Nehemiah shared how the “good hand of God” was upon him. Validating shared struggles (“we are in trouble”) while pointing to a shared hope creates unity, turning individual fear into collective resolve to “rise up and build.”

11a) Nehemiah had gotten the king on his side, as well as God. Nehemiah built confidence by anchoring his mission in God’s sovereignty. He countered mockery by declaring that “the God of heaven” guaranteed success. By asserting that his enemies had no “right or claim” in Jerusalem, he mentally disarmed them, refusing to validate their threats and keeping his team focused on their divine mandate.

b) Unsure. I definitely don’t face opposition like many others around the world. Opposition should force believers to clarify their allegiance. It strips away casual commitment, demanding a firm reliance on God’s power over human approval. Like Nehemiah, faith should become bolder under fire: believers define their identity in God, refusing to compromise with critics and publicly declaring His sovereignty as their only source of success.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 4: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Again, we see the preparation behind the prayer to accomplish God’s will. We need to do this, too, in order to succeed. And, standing up to our enemies and following what we know to be true is the utmost calling on our lives.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 4: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Again, Nehemiah was waiting God’s timing.

Nehemiah needed the help of the Israelites to accomplish God’s purposes for him and for His people. He asked the people to join His/God’s vision. God moved the hearts of the leaders to follow.

When doing God’s work, you should expect opposition, and the more important the work, the more opposition to expect.

The opposition were Jews of influence. This was a spiritual attack perpetuated by people. We must not fear scorn or looking dumb. If God is with us, it matters not what others think. You can’t allow your enemies to stop God’s work from happening.

When facing our enemies, we need to know who we are (children of God) and what we are to do (the work God is calling you to do). God will do the rest.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Secret Inspection (Verses 11–16)

The Assessment: After resting for three days, Nehemiah goes out at night with a few men, keeping his plan secret to prevent premature opposition. The Route: He rides out the Valley Gate, heading toward the Dung Gate and the Fountain Gate. The Reality: The destruction is so severe that at one point (near the King’s Pool), his animal cannot even find a path through the rubble. This firsthand survey allows Nehemiah to confront the brutal reality of the project before announcing it.

The Call to Action (Verses 17–18)

The Announcement: Nehemiah finally gathers the priests and nobles. He shifts from “I” to “We,” stating, “You see the trouble we are in.” The Motivation: He does not motivate them with guilt, but with testimony. He shares how God’s hand had been upon him and the King’s words of support. The Response: The leaders are strengthened by this testimony and immediately respond, “Let us rise up and build.”

The Clash (Verses 19–20)

The Mockery: Sanballat (Horonite), Tobiah (Ammonite), and Geshem (Arab) jeer at them, accusing them of rebellion against Persia. The Rebuttal: Nehemiah draws a sharp theological line. He declares that the God of heaven will grant success, while the enemies have “no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Conclusion

Nehemiah 2:11–20 teaches that honest assessment precedes effective construction.

Nehemiah did not rely on hearsay; he inspected the ruins personally to understand the full scope of the difficulty. By combining a realistic view of the wreckage with a high view of God’s power, he transformed a discouraged mob into a determined workforce.

The takeaway is that true vision does not ignore the rubble; it looks past the rubble to see what God intends to build.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 3: Nehemiah 2:1-10

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 2:1-10

Nehemiah brought King Artaxerxes wine and noticed he was sad. He tells the king about Jerusalem’s sorry state. The king asks him what he wants, and he says he wants to go and rebuild it. He asked the king for safe passage and timber for rebuilding and was granted it.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 3: Nehemiah 2:1-10

6) His heart for the Israelites. He was afraid because he was addressing arguably the most powerful man on earth at that time, who could kill him if he so wanted. Nehemiah was prompted by the King noticing his sadness, which provided the opening to speak for Jerusalem. He was terrified because displaying sorrow in the Persian court was strictly forbidden—it implied dissatisfaction with the King’s rule and could be punishable by death

7a) Nehemiah asked for things that were not unreasonable to provide. He anticipated obstacles before they arose. He secured political legitimacy (letters of safe passage) to bypass hostile governors and material resources (timber requisition) to guarantee construction. This foresight ensured the mission wouldn’t fail due to bureaucracy or lack of supplies once he arrived.

b) Practical planning honors God by taking His mission seriously. It prevents the work from stalling due to avoidable lack, distinguishing true faith from presumption. God often answers prayers through strategy and resources, expecting us to steward the means necessary to finish what He calls us to do.

8a) He had the strength and protection of God first off, and then he asked the king for protection, too. Nehemiah possessed the supreme assurance of “God’s good hand” upon him. Practically, he carried royal letters validating his authority to hostile governors and arrived with a military escort of officers and horsemen. This combination of divine favor, political legitimacy, and armed security provided robust strength against immediate opposition.

b) God’s. Believers rely on the conviction of God’s calling and the power of His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). Like Nehemiah, they combine this spiritual trust with practical wisdom and community unity, understanding that God provides strength not just to endure, but to actively build and overcome opposition.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 3: Nehemiah 2:1-10

I love how Nehemiah had a plan and put it into action. And, he had thought enough about it to realize what he needed to make it happen, too.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 3: Nehemiah 2:1-10

A royal cupbearer’s job in ancient times was to taste the food and drink before the king did in order to ensure it was not poisoned. It was a very important and powerful job.

Nehemiah likely prayed repeatedly in the 4 months, “Lord, take this burden from me or provide me with the answers.”

The date was important here for prophecy. Daniel 9:25 says that exactly 173,880 days from this day – which was March 14, 445 B.C. – Jesus would enter Jerusalem (April 6th, 32 A.D.)

Nehemiah risked affronting the king with his sadness. Being in the king’s presence was supposed to be joyful. A lot was riding on this ask. Nehemiah had the pressure to ask for God correctly, too, as well as the pressure of death.

It is God’s job to change people’s hearts, not ours.

Sharing our concerns with other believers can make for powerful prayer. You don’t have to give them the details (God already knows the details). You can just ask for prayer in general.

Nehemiah prayed again and made his request. He had a plan. God is a planner and often works in unexpected ways to get things done.

Nehemiah made the 800-mile-long journey from Persia to Jerusalem. This was a lot for people in the ancient world. God will equip us for His tasks when we do something.

There is always opposition when doing God’s plan for your life. Here, we see Sanballet, who would become governor of Samaria and Tobiah oppose Israel.

courtesy of https://www.jesuswalk.com/greatprayers/9_nehemiah_success.htm

 

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Opportunity (Verses 1–2)

The Timing: It is the month of Nisan, four months after Nehemiah first heard the bad news (Chapter 1). He has been praying and waiting for the right moment. The Risk: Nehemiah appears sad in the King’s presence—a dangerous move, as Persian court etiquette required attendants to be perfectly content. The King notices and asks, “Why is your face sad?” Nehemiah is “very much afraid” because his life is on the line.

The Request (Verses 3–8)

The Pivot: Instead of panicking, Nehemiah identifies with his people (“the place of my fathers’ graves lies in ruins”) and shoots up a quick, silent prayer (“So I prayed to the God of heaven”). The Plan: He proves he hasn’t just been worrying; he has been planning. He asks for three specific things:

  1. Time: A set leave of absence.

  2. Security: Letters for safe passage through the Trans-Euphrates provinces.

  3. Resources: A letter to Asaph for timber to build the temple fortress, the city walls, and his own house.

The Arrival and Opposition (Verses 9–10)

The Hand of God: The King grants the requests because “the good hand of my God was upon me.” Nehemiah arrives not as a lonely pilgrim, but with officers and horsemen. The Enemy: His arrival immediately disturbs the local power brokers, Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite. They are displeased that someone has come to seek the welfare of the Israelites, foreshadowing the conflict to come.

Conclusion

Nehemiah 2:1–10 demonstrates the partnership between prayer and preparation.

Nehemiah did not rely on prayer as a substitute for planning, nor did he rely on planning to the exclusion of prayer. He waited four months, developed a logistical strategy, and when the moment came, he stepped out in faith. The passage teaches that God opens doors, but He expects us to walk through them prepared.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 2: Nehemiah 1

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah reports that Jerusalem is broken and the gates have burned. He prayed to God, saying he confessed the sins he and the Israelites had made. They have not obeyed. He reminds God of His promise to gather them back to the Promised Land if they return to Him and obey. He asks for favor before the Lord.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 2: Nehemiah 1

3) Nehemiah heard that the exiles who returned to Jerusalem are in trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is borken and its gates have been burned. He responds by mourning, weeping, fasting, and prayingbefore the Lord, repenting of his/their sins and asking God for favor.

4a)

God’s character: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments”

God’s people: God’s people are His servants. He confesses that the people have sinned, acted wickedly against God, and not obeyed His commands, decrees, and laws.

God’s promises: “If you (the people) return to me (God) and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”

Nehemiah’s desire: “Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

b) This shows that Nehemiah understands God and His character. He represents the people by confessing for them. His prayer reveals a relationship of deep intimacy and corporate solidarity. He approaches God confidently based on His covenant faithfulness, yet humbly identifies with the people’s sin (“we have sinned,” v.6). This is vital because true spiritual leadership requires owning the community’s failures as one’s own to intercede effectively.

5) I’m currently searching for God’s will in my life right now. I have an important medical procedure coming up that I am anxious about. I am trying to determine what God wants for my life right now, what is His will for the rest of my life. I’m asking God for guidance and to move me in His direction, not mine.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 2: Nehemiah 1

I love this example of prayer: praise God for who He is, confess your sins, remind God of His promises, ask for what you want/need. Good stuff!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 23, Day 2: Nehemiah 1

It’s been 1,000 years since Moses, and the people of God have 400 more years to wait for Jesus. Both Judah and Israel were in shambles. They had been exiled by Babylon, and only about 50,000 of the Jews decided to return when given the opportunity. It’s around 444 B.C.

We pick up the Israelites’ story 15 years after the Book of Ezra ends, so almost 100 years after the captives were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The walls of Jerusalem are still in rubble from the Babylonian conquest.

Nehemiah lives in the capital of the Persian empire and in the palace, so he is a person of import. He is tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and the city. He spent about 13 years leading God’s people to rebuild the city.

The survivors were living in a city with no wall, and therefore, in constant fear of attack.

God would use Nehemiah, but first He has to do work inside of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah is a leader, as we all are in some part of our lives. He fasted and prayed before he did.

If your vision is big, you must pray. We’ll see that Nehemiah prayed for months before he did anything Nehemiah 1:1-4 and 2:1.

Prayer will relieve your stresses. It gives you strength.

We are to be humble before the Lord, confessing our sins without excuses, and realizing we need God to do it.

Nehemiah quoted from both Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 30.

Nehemiah wanted to do something, but he would need God to do so. God, use me!

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Report and Reaction (Verses 1–4)

The Scene: Nehemiah is in the citadel of Susa, serving the Persian King, enjoying comfort and prestige. The Crisis: His brother arrives with news that the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem is in “great trouble and shame.” The walls are broken, and the gates burned—meaning the city is defenseless and a laughingstock. The Response: Nehemiah does not offer pity from a distance; he internalizes the pain. He sits, weeps, mourns, and fasts. His broken heart immediately leads him to prayer rather than political maneuvering.

The Prayer of Preparation (Verses 5–11)

Nehemiah’s prayer establishes a model for crisis management:

  1. Adoration: He begins by acknowledging God as “great and awesome” and faithful to His covenant.

  2. Confession: He does not blame the Babylonians or his ancestors alone. He uses the word “we”—including himself and his father’s house in the nation’s sin.

  3. Remembrance: He quotes Deuteronomy back to God, reminding Him of His promise: if the people return to Him, God will gather them from the farthest skies.

  4. Petition: He asks for success, specifically requesting favor “in the sight of this man” (King Artaxerxes).

Conclusion

Nehemiah 1 teaches that effective leadership begins with empathy and intercession.

Before Nehemiah laid a single stone, he laid a foundation of prayer. He demonstrates that when we face a crisis, we must first look upward (to God’s character) and inward (confessing sin) before we look outward (to fix the problem).

The takeaway is that true burden-bearing bridges the gap between our personal comfort and the brokenness of God’s people.

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Friday’s Digest BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF EXILE & RETURN: A TIME TO BUILD LESSON 22

  • Humans are able to repent because of God’s goodness
  • Life is out of God’s grace when we all deserve judgment
  • We can rest in God despite the chaos around us
  • God is in the ordinary

TAKE AWAY: God is in every area of our lives.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 14:10-21

Jerusalem will be raised up high and inhabited. The Lord will send a plague on Jerusalem’s enemies. Their flesh will rot, and they will fight against each other. Their animals will face a similar fate.

All nations’ inhabitants who have survived will go up year after year to worship the Lord and celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If they do not, they will receive no rain, and they will face a plague. Everything will become holy to God.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21

13) The Lord will send a plague on Jerusalem’s enemies. Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, their tongues will rot in their mouth, and they will fight against each other. Their animals will face a similar fate. He will gather the wealth of the surrounding nations for His people. All nations’ inhabitants who have survived will go up year after year to worship the Lord and celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If they do not, they will receive no rain, and they will face a plague.

14a) All nations’ inhabitants who have survived will go up year after year to worship the Lord and celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If they do not, they will receive no rain, and they will face a plague. Life in God’s kingdom is centered on universal worship. Former enemies must journey annually to Jerusalem to honor the King at the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a reality of absolute lordship: obedience brings refreshing rain, while refusal brings drought and plague, ensuring every nation acknowledges God’s supreme reign.

b) The inscription “Holy to the Lord” will mark even common horse bells, erasing the sacred-secular divide and rendering every ordinary activity as holy as temple worship.

c) We withhold His influence by compartmentalizing life—labeling career, entertainment, or finances as “secular” zones off-limits to God. By refusing to consecrate the “mundane”—unlike Zechariah’s vision where even common pots become holy—we deny His lordship over daily choices, keeping parts of our hearts locked against His transforming presence.

15) For those who do not turn to God, their days will be rough. But this is the reality of judgment. God will finally reign supreme everywhere. Everything will be holy. This is wonderful, not exactly challenging!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21

I love getting glimpses of what my life will be like in the future. Gives me hope.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21

Jerusalem will finally be a safe place. All the mountains will be flattened since Jerusalem will have no enemies. Jerusalem will become wealthy again.

Egypt was not dependent on water, but it will face the same punishment as others.

“Holiness to the Lord” was what was inscribed on the metal band on the high priest’s headpiece (Exodus 28:36).

The pots were the cooking utensils used for sacrificial meat. Sacrifices may still be a thing in the millennium, but not for sins.

Everything will be made holy in Jesus’ reign and reflect His purposes.

Zechariah’s entire book points to Christ.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The Restoration of the City (Verses 10–11)

The Scene: The geography surrounding Jerusalem is flattened into a plain (from Geba to Rimmon), causing Jerusalem to stand high and prominent above the surrounding landscape. The Meaning: This symbolizes the city’s spiritual and political elevation. The curse is permanently lifted (“there shall be no more ban of destruction”), and the city will be inhabited in absolute safety.

The Judgment on the Enemies (Verses 12–15)

The Plague: God strikes the armies that attacked Jerusalem with a terrifying supernatural decay—their flesh, eyes, and tongues rot while they stand on their feet. The Panic: A “great panic from the Lord” seizes them, causing them to turn on one another. The Plunder: The wealth of the surrounding nations (gold, silver, and garments) is gathered in abundance, reversing the earlier plundering of Jerusalem.

The Feast of the King (Verses 16–19)

The Requirement: The survivors from the attacking nations undergo a conversion. They are required to make an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and worship the King, the Lord of hosts. The Consequence: If a nation (e.g., Egypt) refuses to come, they receive “no rain” and suffers the plague. This establishes God’s rule as absolute and enforceable over all global powers.

The Pervasive Holiness (Verses 20–21)

The Bells: The inscription “Holy to the Lord”—which was previously reserved strictly for the golden plate on the High Priest’s turban (Exodus 28:36)—is now engraved on the bells of horses (common animals of war/labor).

The Pots: The ordinary cooking pots in Jerusalem become as sacred as the holy bowls used at the Altar. The Removal of the “Canaanite”: There will no longer be a “Canaanite” (often interpreted here as a merchant/trader or an unclean person) in the house of the Lord. The transactional nature of religion is gone; everything is pure worship.

Conclusion

Zechariah 14:10–21 describes the sanctification of the secular.

The book concludes not just with Israel’s safety, but with the total erasure of the line between the “sacred” and the “common.” In God’s final Kingdom, holiness is not confined to the Temple or the priesthood; it saturates the geography, the economy, and the daily tools of life (horses and pots). The end of history is the presence of God filling all things.

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