Nehemiah 1 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Nehemiah 1

Report from Jerusalem

1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

Nehemiah’s Prayer

4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Commentary

There is a gap of about 12 years after Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem; compare 2.1 with Ezra 7.8.

v1: Nehemiah was another exile, living in the citadel in Susa. He served the king, see 2.1.

v2: Hanani, a brother of Nehemiah, arrived from Jerusalem. The wording here suggests that Nehemiah took the initiative in asking about the state of Jerusalem. This reflects his concern for the glory of God, as God's glory was always connected with the state of Jerusalem.

v3: The hopefulness and progress under Zerubbabel and Ezra was replaced by "great trouble and disgrace". No doubt God had raised up Nehemiah for such a time as this.

The wall of Jerusalem speaks of unity, strength, and security, Ps 122. Together with the temple it was a visible testimony of the blessing and presence of God amongst His people (Ps 84).

v4: Nehemiah's response, like Ezra's, was to pray. He did this before taking action. This was personal spiritual preparation, "for some days", about 3 months, from Kislev (v1), to Nisan (2.1); such a contrast with brief, superficial, rushed devotions. Here was whole-hearted devotion to God; mourning fasting, weeping, as in Ezra 9.5.

Nehemiah prayed to the God of Heaven; he knew to whom he was speaking.

v5: Nehemiah's first words were simply a declaration of what God is like; this is worship.

v6-7: "Let your ear be attentive", not presuming upon God, but trusting that He is merciful. Nehemiah identified with the sins of the people, and he prayed "day and night", coming before God persistently and regularly.

v8-9: Nehemiah knew something of God's word, and he used it in his prayer; the Lord had been faithful to His promise by judging the people, and sending them into exile. He had now been faithful in bringing them back to Jerusalem. Nehemiah's request was that He would honour their repentance.

v10: God had shown His redemption and power through His people; Nehemiah's prayer was that He would do so again. God is faithful to His own people.

v11: Others were praying also; Nehemiah knew he was not alone; there was still a faithful remnant.

Nehemiah had the trusted position of being the king's cupbearer; this gave him the ear of the king. A number of the Jewish people had been loyal servants of the Babylonians, Medes and Persians; Daniel, Mordecai. Although the nation had been dispersed, these individuals had, through their blameless lives, earned respect in the sight of the enemies of the people.