By Mike Peek

What does it say? The priests and the Levites who returned to Jerusalem with the governor Zerubbabel are listed. The chief priestes and Levites who had come up with Zerubbabel during the reign of Darius as well as those who served in the days Nehmiah the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe. The Levites from all the land were sought out for the dedication of the the wall of Jerusalem. Choirs were appointed to sections of the wall. Great sacrifices were offered and they rejoiced and their joy was heard from afar. The people gave to the priests and the Levites their dues as was required by the law. On that day, the book of the law was read allowed and it was heard that Moses said, “No Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,” so, they applied this to all foreigners. During Nehemiah’s absence, Tobiah the Ammonite official had been given a room in the temple; this displeased Nehemiah, so he cleaned Tobiah’s things out of the room and restored its proper use. Also, the...

What does it say? Nehemiah the governor and leaders signed the document. They vowed (knowing the curse) to walk in God’s law as was given through Moses, to keep all of the commandments and statues of the law; they also vowed not to intermarry with the people of the land and to keep the Sabbath. They also vowed to give a temple tax, one third of a shekel. They cast lots for who would bring up wood to burn in the temple at appointed times; and vowed to bring in the first born, the first fruits, and give one-tenth of what up from the ground to the Levites. Lots were cast for one-tenth of the people to live in Jerusalem, while nine-tenths lived in the other cities of Judah; those who lived in Jerusalem were blessed by the people. The people who did not live in Jerusalem lived on their own property. The sons of Judah, the sons of Benjamin, the priests, and Levites who lived in Jerusalem are listed and numbered according to their patriarchal names. The Levites who were in charge of singing k...

What does it say? Ezra the priest and scribe brought out the book of the law of Moses, he stood up on a platform, opened the book the people stood up, he blessed the Lord, he read the word from early morning to midday and the Levites explained the law to the people. The people began to cry but Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites told the people to rejoice and they did celebrating a festival to the Lord because they understood the word. The leaders gathered in a council regarding the words of the law and proclaimed a proclamation that the feast of booths should be observed, so the people made booths of olive branches and lived in them for seven days; during the feast Ezra read from the book of the law of God daily and on the eight day they had a solemn assembly. The people confessed their sins and they wore sackcloth with dirt upon them. The Levites commanded the people to arise and recounted the entire history of the Old Testament before the assembly in prayer to the Lord; blessing the Lord...

What does it say? Nehemiah appointed two men in charge of Jerusalem; Hanani his brother and Hananiah the commander of the fortress to bar the gates during the night and post guards; he consider them honorable men. Than it was put into Nehemiah’s heart to enroll everyone by their genealogy; however, the genealogical book of those who came up first was found. These are remembered by their patriarchal names along with the priests, the Levites, the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants. Those who came up previously who could not prove their genealogy to a son of Israel, a son of Aaron, or a son of Levi were also remembered but restricted from temple service. The entire assembly that previously came up was 42,360 persons, 7,337 servants (245 of the people were singers), 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys. The treasury that was given by these who first returned was remembered. Lastly, it was remembered that the people settled into the land and lived in each thei...

What does it say? Sanballat the Samaritan and Tobiah the Ammonite became angry; therefore, they mocked the Jews who were rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah prayed to the Lord because the people were demoralized, they continued to rebuild and the wall was joined together to half its height. Sanballat, Tobiah and the other people of the land conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem; therefore, they prayed to the Lord for protection, stationed guards night and day, and Nehemiah spoke encouraging words to the Jews in the Lord. The Jews continued the rebuilding project and each man had his sword at his side ready to rally together at the sound of the trumpet. Day and night each man remained in Jerusalem, didn’t remove his clothing, and kept his sword with him at all times. Some of the people cried out because their Jewish brothers were taking advantage of them, taking their property and putting them in bondage for food. Nehemiah scolded those who were charging interest to his brother and re...

What does it say? Nehemiah inquired about the Jews and the condition of Jerusalem. Nehemiah lamented the condition of Jerusalem and confessed that it was right for the Lord to punish Israel for their sin; he then reminds the Lord of his promise of restoration if they repent. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king. Artaxerxes the king saw that he was sad and asked the reason; therefore, Nehemiah confessed it was because of the condition in Jerusalem and requested that the king allow him to go repair the city and the wall of the city for which the king granted him the request. Nehemiah arrived with a letter from the king to the governors of the provinces but Sanballat was displeased. Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and was there three days before he arose at night, riding on a donkey, surveying the condition of the wall. When he returned, Nehemiah revealed to the Jewish officials his plan to rebuild the wall, but when Sandballat and Tobiah heard that the Jews were rebuilding the wall they accused...