Introducing Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1

            For a long time—centuries—Nehemiah didn’t have a separate existence as a book; it was counted as part of Ezra. My study Bible doesn’t even give the book its own introduction; it literally says, “See introduction to Ezra.” The first verse of the book of Nehemiah, though, is a usual introduction in Hebrew to a new work, so there’s reason to consider these two men, these two contemporaries, separately.

            So, first, Nehemiah was a man of some importance. Verse 11 tells us that he was cupbearer to the Persian king. A cupbearer ensured that the king’s food was not poisoned; he was a man entrusted with the highest level of personal security. Between Nehemiah and Esther, we learn that the Jewish people prospered in what is called the Diaspora, the scattering that occurred in the wake of the exile, holding positions at the highest level of government. (Daniel will make the same point.)

            Second, although he was thriving in Persia, Nehemiah’s heart was in Judah. He had been born in the exile: the events of the book of Nehemiah occur 141 years after the destruction of Jerusalem! It’s likely Nehemiah has never even seen Jerusalem. Yet, his prayer for Jerusalem is powerfully emotional.

            Third, it’s 141 years after the exile, but Nehemiah is still clearly aware of the idolatry that had resulted in the exile. In verse 8, he alludes to Deuteronomy 28, with its list of curses and blessings. Nehemiah sees Israel still bearing the marks of their unfaithfulness. It strikes me the scar that the exile left on Israel’s heart. Nehemiah sees Israel’s ongoing troubles and wonders if they are still under that curse.

            Fourth, Nehemiah is a man with a plan: he will leverage his position with the king into a blessing for his people Israel. Notice the last verse of his prayer, “Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Who is ‘this man’? Probably King Artaxerxes. Now, the events in chapter one are said to occur in the month of Kislev in the 20^th year, probably November or December of 445, and Nehemiah doesn’t actually make his request until the month of Nisan, probably the next March or April. Why the delay? As we’ll learn in Esther, speaking to the king without first being spoken to was an extremely presumptuous and dangerous thing to do. Probably we are to understand this that the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer, but it took several months. The Lord doesn’t follow our timelines!

            So, a number of issues that make Nehemiah worth reading and struggling with.