In the Hebrew
manuscripts the books of Ezra and Nehemiah appeared as one book.
AUTHOR OR COMPILER
uncertain. A large portion of the book is regarded by many students as an
autobiography of Nehemiah.
KEY
TEXT,
ch. 6.3
Ne 6:3
LEADING TOPICS,
The Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem, the rehearsal of certain Divine Laws,
and the restoration of Ancient Ordinances.
SYNOPSIS
PART I. A TYPICAL STUDY.
THEME,
The Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem considered as a Type of the up building
of the Divine Kingdom in the Earth.
(a) The walls
broken down, ch. 1.3, may typify the defences of God's kingdom weakened.
Ne
1:3
(b) The
preliminary season of fasting and prayer ch. 1.4-11, may typify the state of
mind which should precede all great spiritual enterprises.
Ne
1:4-11
(c) Nehemiah's
sacrifice of a fine position for the good of the cause, ch. 2.5, may typify the
sacrificial service always needed when a great work is to be accomplished.
Ne
2:5
(d) The night
inspection of the city, ch. 2.15,16, may typify the necessity of facing the
facts before beginning constructive work.
Ne
2:15,16
(e) The
seeking of co-operation, ch. 2.17,18, may typify an essential element in all
successful work.
Ne
2:17,18
(f) The
enlistment of all classes, ch. 3, may typify the importance of thorough
organization.
Ne
3:1
THE SAME METHODS MAY BE USED IN
OVERCOMING HINDRANCES TO SPIRITUAL WORK.
(a) Ridicule
Ne
2:19
Overcome by
confidence in God
Ne
2:20
(b) Wrath and
contempt
Ne
4:3
Overcome by
prayer and hard work
Ne
4:4-6
(c) Conspiracy
Ne
4:7,8
Overcome by
watchfulness and prayer
Ne
4:9
(d)
Discouragement of friends
Ne
4:10,12
Overcome by
steadfast courage
Ne
4:13,14
(e) Selfish
greed
Ne
5:1-5
Overcome by
rebuke and self-sacrificing example
Ne
5:6-17
(f) Work
completed, enemies confounded by persistent endeavour
Ne
6:1-15
PART II. CLOSING EVENTS.
(a) The
rehearsal and exposition of the Divine Law, ch. 8
Ne
8:1
(b) The
confession of the Priests and Levites, and the signing of the covenant, chs.
9,10
Ne
9:1 - 10:1
(c) The call
for people to dwell in Jerusalem, ch. 11
Ne
11:1
(d) The
dedication of the walls, ch. 12
Ne
12:1
(e) Social and
religious reforms, ch. 13
Ne
13:1
(Outline
from Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible)