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Nehemiah 1

World English Bible

WEB

1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the palace, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” 4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, 5and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned. 7We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses. 8“Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’ 10“Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Nehemiah Chapter 1 begins with Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, receiving troubling news about Jerusalem. He learns from Hanani, one of his brothers, that the city lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire. This news deeply distresses Nehemiah, prompting him to sit down, weep, mourn, and fast for several days. His heartfelt response demonstrates the importance of intercession and the burden of leadership, as he seeks God earnestly in prayer. Nehemiah's prayer is a model of confession and supplication, acknowledging the sins of Israel and pleading for God's mercy and favor to restore His people and their city. He recalls God's promises to gather His people if they return to Him, showing his faith in God's covenant relationship with Israel.

Nehemiah's prayer culminates in a request for success as he prepares to approach the king about the plight of Jerusalem. He identifies himself as a servant of God, emphasizing his commitment to the mission ahead. This chapter sets the stage for Nehemiah's leadership and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, highlighting themes of repentance, prayer, and divine guidance. Nehemiah's deep concern for his homeland and his reliance on God serve as a powerful reminder of the call to action for believers to respond to the needs of their communities with faith and determination. #Nehemiah #Jerusalem #Prayer #Leadership

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Referenced by

  1. Deuteronomy 28:64v8Deuteronomy 28:64 speaks of scattering among the nations, which Nehemiah references in his prayer, acknowledging the fulfillment of this warning and seeking God's mercy for restoration.
  2. Deuteronomy 30:3v9Deuteronomy 30:3 promises restoration and gathering of the exiles, which is echoed in Nehemiah 1:9 where Nehemiah prays for the return of the exiles, showing God's faithfulness in restoring His people.
  3. Ezra 10:1v4Ezra 10:1 describes Ezra's deep mourning and prayer over the people's unfaithfulness, similar to Nehemiah's response to Jerusalem's desolation in Nehemiah 1:4, highlighting the theme of intercessory prayer and repentance.
  4. Nehemiah 2:4v11Nehemiah 2:4 shows Nehemiah's immediate prayer to God when the king asks him what he wants, reflecting his reliance on God as seen in his prayer in Nehemiah 1:11.
  5. Psalms 137:5-6v3Psalm 137:5-6 expresses a deep commitment to Jerusalem, similar to Nehemiah's mourning and prayer for Jerusalem's restoration.

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