__The Book of Nehemiah offers a first-hand telling of how ancient Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt in the face of great odds after the Babylonian exile – an act that represented the renewal of the people's faith and the reforming of their conduct.__  
  
In The Message of Nehemiah, Raymond Brown explores this powerful story and the striking relevance of this themes for Christians living today. Vividly drawing out Nehemiah's historical and social milieu, Brown demonstrates that Nehemiah is one of the most inventive and resilient personalities in the Old Testament. His doctrine of God, his passion for Scripture, his experience of prayer and his example in leadership all provide valuable lessons that can be applied to how we live our faith every day.  
  
A revised volume in the trusted the Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Nehemiah offers a compelling exposition of the Biblical text, unpacking its meaning for both the original audience it was written for and for Christians in the twenty-first century.  
  
Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who want to delve more deeply into the riches of Scripture and better understand how it can be applied to modern life.  
  
This beautifully redesigned edition has been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text.  
The Message of Nehemiah is perfect for anyone looking for accessible commentaries on Nehemiah that will help broaden their knowledge and understanding of the this fascinating book of the Old Testament.

One of the most inventive and resilient personalities in the rich tapestry of Old Testament biography. - Raymond Brown

General preface vii  
Author's preface ix  
Select bibliography xi  
Chief abbreviations xiv  
Introduction 1  
A. Rebuilding the walls (1:1 – 7:73)  
1. The servant's preparation (1:1–11) 21  
2. The servant's guidance (2:1–10) 34  
3. The servant's strategy (2:11–20) 45  
4. The servant's partners (3:1–32) 56  
5. The servant's confidence (4:1–23) 65  
6. The servant's compassion (5:1–19) 80  
7. The servant's protection (6:1–19) 95  
8. The servant's convictions (7:1–73) 108  
B. Reforming the community (8:1 – 13:31)  
9. 'Bring out the Book' (8:1–18) 124  
10. Discovering more about God (9:1–37) 139  
11. 'But in your great mercy' (9:1–37) 152  
12. 'Making a binding agreement' (9:38 – 10:29) 169  
13. Being specific (10:30–39) 176  
14. Vocal archives (11:1 – 12:26) 195  
15. Our 'chief end' (12:27–47) 207  
16. 'There it was found written' (13:1–3) 222  
17. Temple, marketplace and home (13:4–31) 229  
18. Patterns of leadership (13:4–31) 256

Raymond Brown

GENERAL PREFACE

Author’s preface

Select bibliography

Commentaries

Other works

Chief abbreviations

Introduction

1. Background

2. Date

3. Sources

4. Author

5. Themes

6. Relevance

A. Rebuilding the walls (1:1 – 7:73)

Nehemiah 1:1–11

1. The servant’s preparation

1. Looking out in compassion (1:1–3)

2. Looking up in dependence (1:4–6a)

3. Looking inward with penitence (1:6b–7)

4. Looking back with gratitude (1:8–10)

5. Looking forward with confidence (1:11)

Nehemiah 2:1–10

2. The servant’s guidance

1. God's servant waits (2:1)

2. God's servant trusts (2:2–4a)

3. God's servant prays (2:4b–5a)

4. God's servant plans (2:5b–8)

5. God's servant testifies (2:8b–10)

Nehemiah 2:11–20

3. The servant’s strategy

1. Replenishing resources (2:11–12)

2. Assessing need (2:13–16)

3. Recruiting colleagues (2:17)

4. Inspiring confidence (2:18)

5. Handling opposition (2:19–20)

Nehemiah 3:1–32

4. The servant’s partners

1. The builders' priority

2. Their unity

3. Their individuality

4. Their unselfishness

5. Their disappointment

6. Their commitment

7. Their enthusiasm

8. Their privilege

9. Their reward

Nehemiah 4:1–23

5. The servant’s confidence

1. Conflict is inevitable (4:1–3)

2. Prayer is crucial (4:4–9)

3. Discouragement is understandable (4:10–12)

4. Unity is essential (4:13–20)

5. Sacrifice is inescapable (4:21–23)

6. God is invincible

Nehemiah 5:1–19

6. The servant’s compassion

1. Nehemiah's problem (5:1–5)

2. Nehemiah's solution (5:6–13)

3. Nehemiah's example (5:14–19)

Nehemiah 6:1–19

7. The servant’s protection

1. A plot to kidnap him (6:1–4)

2. A plot to malign him (6:5–9)

3. A plot to intimidate him (6:10–14)

4. A plot to undermine him (6:15–19)

Nehemiah 7:1–73

8. The servant’s convictions

1. Honour spiritual priorities (7:1)

2. Value reliable partners (7:2)

3. Recognize specific dangers (7:3)

4. Encourage strategic planning (7:4)

5. Seek divine guidance (7:5a)

6. Utilize available help (7:5b–38)

7. Identify complementary gifts (7:39–60)

8. Obey biblical teaching (7:61–65)

9. Encourage generous giving (7:66–73)

10. Exercise responsible stewardship

B. Reforming the community (8:1 – 13:31)

Nehemiah 8:1–18

9. ‘Bring out the Book’

1. God's Word valued (8:1–8)

2. God's Word applied (8:9–12)

3. God's Word shared (8:13–18)

Nehemiah 9:1–37

10. Discovering more about God

1. Revealed in Scripture

2. Confirmed in history

3. Discerned in prayer

4. Focused in adoration

5. Deepened through failure

6. Enriched in suffering

11. ‘But in your great mercy’

1. God reveals his nature (9:5)

2. God proclaims his uniqueness (9:6a)

3. God displays his power (9:6b)

4. God keeps his promise (9:7–8)

5. God manifests his love (9:9–12)

6. God unfolds his will (9:13–15)

7. God demonstrates his mercy (9:16–18)

Nehemiah tells, first hand, the powerful story of the rebuilding of ancient Jerusalem's walls after the exile. This rebuilding, in the face of great odds, represented the renewal of the people's faith and the reforming of their conduct.  
In opening up Nehemiah's text, Raymond Brown concludes: 'He must surely be regarded as one of the most inventive and resilient personalities in the rich tapestry of Old Testament biography.'  
As well as vividly drawing out Nehemiah's historical and social milieu and the contents of his book, Raymond Brown demonstrates the striking relevance for today of Nehemiah's dominant themes: his doctrine of God, his passion for Scripture, his experience of prayer and his example in leadership.

Message of Nehemiah

Navigation Bar

Header Default

Download the Christian360 App to read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks bought at Christian360

Download the App

Message of Nehemiah

Description

Need support?

Customer reviews

Download the App

Download the App