Chronology of the post exile: Ezra-Nehemiah
Nehemiah
10 Nehemiah 13:1-31 Promises broken
Years later, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to find the people have broken all their vows. His reaction is ruthless — to make a point.
09 Nehemiah 12:1-47 Celebration
The history told in Nehemiah is a historic witness to the restoring work of God in people’s lives. Now in chapter 12, at the what should be the end of the story, Nehemiah is once again going to make a circuit of the city. But this time instead of a single rider on a single horse as we saw in chapter 2, he is part of a parade circling the city on top of the rebuilt walls, singing the praises of God.
08 Nehemiah 10:1-11:36 Promises made
The people vow to keep God at the center of their lives as they move back into Jerusalem both by choice and by draft.
07 Nehemiah 9:1-38 The Lord is faithful when we are not
If all the generations prior to you have been people who listened to God and eventually rejected him, what is the likelihood that your generation is going to be different?
06 Nehemiah 7:1-8:18 Restore the joy of the Lord
In chapter 7 the wall is finished. The city is safe, but not yet “alive.” In chapter 8 the people long to know God so they ask Ezra the priest to teach them the Law.
05 Nehemiah 5:1-6:19 Enemies within and without
In chapter 5, the problems Nehemiah and the Isrealites encounter are inflicted from within the community itself. In Chapter 6 Nehemiah is tested. Is he the kind of leader who fears God? Or is he the kind of leader who thinks too highly of himself and had been seduced by the power of leadership?
04 Nehemiah 3:1-4:23 Repair your broken wall
Chapter 3 paints a picture of community, including the main point that we should begin serving the body by working on “the broken wall in front of our own house.” Chapter 4 records the opposition they face and the leadership they need.
03 Nehemiah 2:1-20 How to speak boldly
Nehemiah faces three moments where he must rely on the word of God and speak out boldly.
02 Nehemiah 1:4-11 Between two worlds
Nehemiah is caught in the tension of living between two worlds. He needs an answer from God as to how to resolve the dilemma.
