Introduction to Nehemiah

Aim: To develop Nehemiah-like grace-traits—through faith in Christ.

Doctrine: Nehemiah's heart-concern was for God and His church. Everything he will do in this book is driven by this passion, and nothing in this world would prevent him from achieving his goal.

Exegesis: How God moves His people to action: through our inquiring after the church's situation (vv. 1-2); through our hearing of the church's hardship (v. 3); and through our bearing the church's burden (v. 4).

Further application: The mindset we are to gain through our study of Nehemiah: we should focus on what is most important; and then, we should act in faith—not stopping until our tasks are finished.

Key verse: v. 4 ''So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.''