From Broken to Restored: The Book of NehemiahSample

Read: 2 Chronicles 36:15–21; Ezra 1:1–4; 7:1–10; 2 Peter 3:8–13

SOAP: 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Into the Text

As we dive into our study of Nehemiah, we need an understanding of the historical background of these events. The nation of Israel experienced great blessings under King David. However, after David’s son Solomon died, the nation of Israel was split into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Israel, the northern kingdom, rebelled against God and was overthrown and destroyed by the Assyrians. The Assyrians scattered the people of Israel into exile around the region under their control.

During the next one-hundred years, the nation of Judah also rebelled against God and He disciplined them. The Babylonians captured Jerusalem and took the people into exile by transporting them to Babylon, where they remained for seventy years.

Finally, after the prophesied seventy years of exile were over, God worked in the heart of the king of Persia (the nation that had since conquered the Babylonians) to allow the people of Judah to return to their homeland. Many did return, and they worked to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. About fifty years later, Ezra returned to Jerusalem and re-established worship in the temple.

Shortly after Ezra’s return is where Nehemiah’s story begins. Nehemiah was living in Persia, not having returned to Jerusalem like many others. However, God used Nehemiah and his connections to the king of Persia to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and to turn the hearts of the people of Judah back to Him.

God punished His people, both Israel and Judah, because they had turned against Him and disobeyed His commandments. After a period of discipline, God restored the people of Judah. They repented and turned from their idolatry and God forgave them. The Jews’ physical return and rebuilding of Jerusalem mirrored what God was doing in their hearts.

Though we may not experience literal exile like the people of Judah, we will likely experience the discipline of God at one time or another. But our God is faithful to His promises when we are faithful to repent and return to Him. He is patient with us, not wanting any to perish but desiring that all would repent and believe in Him.