Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 7

Verses 1-73

1. Intro:
   1. The walls were finished in 52 days but the people inside sure weren’t.
      1. The 2nd part of the book, the remainder (ch.’s 7-13), teaches us about an even more important building program in Jerusalem...the spiritual building of the people behind the walls.
         1. ​​​​​​​Here we have the first steps toward community.
         2. Did you know you can acquire just about everything in solitude - except character.
         3. The fruit of the Spirit: [the 2nd 3 must be shown outward, in community]
            1. ​​​​​​​1st 3, inner attitudes, God-ward, sourced in God (Love, joy, peace)
            2. 2nd 3, relational qualities, man-ward, expressed to others (longsuffering kindness, goodness)
            3. 3rd 3, personal qualities, self-ward, guides indiv conduct (faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
2. PEOPLE OF THE WALL (7:1-6)
   1. (2) What 2 things was Nehemiah looking for in his leaders?
      1. Faithful men who Fear God.
      2. Required in OT: Jethro recommended to Moses Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.
      3. Required in NT: In Acts 6, the 12 looked for seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business…And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit…
      4. What do churches look for in leaders today?
         1. Forceful personality, vision, admin skills, decisiveness, humor, tact? Those all play a part, but the most desirable qualities are godliness & integrity.
   2. (3) In the East it is customary to open the gates of a city at sunrise, and to bar them at sunset, a rule which is very rarely infringed upon. But here…
      1. ​​​​​​​A precaution necessary because of the enemies prior attempts against them.
   3. (5) Do you ever have things put in your heart by God? Do your respond when He does?
3. PEOPLE OF THE INHERITANCE (7:7-73)
   1. ​​​​​​​We ought to be very sure that we & our loved ones are included in God’s register.
   2. Worship seemed to be an important part of building a strong community of faith.
      1. Note the singers – vs.1,44,67,73. [Our musician’s Fellowship, The Stir, next Sat 6:30pm. Renowned vocal coach Billy Purnell doing a vocal workshop]