Nehemiah 1:1-11

1:1 | The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. The word of Nehemiah indicated that this book gives his experience, told from his perspective, just as Ezra the priest recorded his narrative for posterity. Chislev matches our November-December, and twentieth year refers to a time in the reign of Artaxerxes, who ruled Persia from 464-423 BC. He succeeded Ahasuerus – the husband of Esther, also known as Xerxes. These real-world references root the book in history.

1:2-4 | God often stirs people’s hearts before He moves in their circumstances. In the Lord’s hands, Nehemiah’s concern and curiosity concerning the Jews and Jerusalem would soon become a calling, because he knew that a city wall broken down with its gates burned was a sign of not just past defeat but continuing vulnerability.

1:5-11 | One of the greatest building projects in history was so successful because it was started by the prayers of a man of God. This is the first of many prayers this book records – an intercessory prayer in which Nehemiah identifies with the people rather than just pleading to God on their behalf (Ezra 10:1; Dan. 9:20; Ps. 106:6).

1:8-9 | Nehemiah showed God that he knew the conditions God Himself had established for His people through Moses: unfaithfulness would result in scattering; faithfulness would result in gathering. If indicates a choice, and choices have consequences. In a healthy prayer life, we should ask God to reveal if any current problems in our lives are the consequences of sinful choices.

1:11 | Nehemiah expected to see God answer prayer in his role as the king’s cupbearer. Cupbearers were trusted servants who made sure that the king’s drinks were not poisoned. They also had the responsibility of bringing the king joy, not sadness.