Bible Study (August 30th)

I just decided that instead of keeping a little notebook with all my notes and whatnot from my bible studies that I would just post all of them on my blog.

Nehemiah 1 - Nehemiah's Prayer

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

1 In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
5 Then I said:
"Lord, the God heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servant, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my ancestral family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you have you servant Moses.
8 "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name."
10 "They are your servant and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."

I was the cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah : Author: The words of Nehemiah, but believed to be recorded by Ezra.
Date : 445 BC - Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem to be governor and lead in rebuilding walls.

Meditation :
What I focus on when reading the passage: The simplicity of the prayer, however, the lifting of God's name throughout. Also, the dedication to deal with the problem in a Godly manner(fasting and prayer)

In Nehemiah 1:4 it states, "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

• This implies that he just got away from everyone and for DAYS he was waiting for instruction from God about what to do about the broken down walls of Israel.
• That's really hard for me to grasp. Days of praying and fasting and just going before God. Not minutes, not hours, not just skip a meal or so to study a little extra. But for days.

Then the rest of the chapter (Nehemiah 1:5-11) states the prayer that Nehemiah prayed after the days of meditation.

• The prayer starts out with "Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments"

1. This signifies humbleness, and glorifying Him who saved us.

• Next, is a confession, "I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my ancestral family, have committed against you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

1. This is one of the most important parts of any prayer, because without this confession we can't effectively communicate and be face-to-face with our creator because of these unconfessed sins. We must be pure and white as snow before our Heavenly Father.
   

• Last, is a calling out to God to show you He is there and to give guidance, "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name."

1. This part of the prayer isn't as much as asking for anything; however, somewhat of a clarification that God will be faithful to what He says.

This passage leads into more of what the book of Nehemiah is about and is a guide for prayer for those lost and in need of maybe not something as much as a reminder that God is holy.