Nehemiah 4:1-6:14

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    24                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 4:1-6:14

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Restoration and Defense (Nehemiah 4) 1. Sanballat and Tobiah’s anger over restoration ridiculing Jews (4:1-3) 2. Prayer for God to deal with them for the insults (4:4-5) 3. People continued building with all their heart (4:6) THREATS and RESPONSE 4. Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites, and people of Ashdod became angry and plotted to fight against Jerusalem (4:7-8) 5. Response: Prayed and posted guard (4:9) 6. Concern about effort needed and attacks with repeated warnings (4:10-12) 7. Response: Posted people and encouragement to remember Lord (4:13-14) 8. Enemies frustrated as work on wall completed under guard (4:15-23)

Fairness and Community (Nehemiah 5) 1. Outcry against fellow Jews because mortgaging fields for food (5:1-3) 2. King’s tax requires borrow money subjecting children to slavery (5:4-5) 3. Nehemiah hearing became angry challenging nobles and officials for charging interest (5:6-8) 4. Nehemiah directed them to stop charging interest and give money back along with interest (5:9-11) 5.  Agreement to give back money and interest with a reminder to keep promise and they did (5:12-13) 6. Nehemiah appointed to be governor and didn’t tax people for food and wine as prior governors (5:14-15) 7. Nehemiah and his men devoted himself to rebuilding the wall and didn’t acquire any land (5:16) 8. Food was prepared for Nehemiah and 150 others without a food allotment on the people; request to remember him with favor (5:17-19)

Prayerful Focus among distracting plots (Nehemiah 6)  1. Sanballat, Tobiah, Greshem along with other enemies sent word to meet scheming to harm (6:1-2) 2. Nehemiah responds “he is busy with great project and can’t go”; four requests with same answer (6:3-4) 3.Fifth time a messenger with unsealed message claiming a Jewish revolt and threat that message will get King (6:5-7) 4. Nehemiah responds you’re just making this stuff up; just trying to frighten (6:8-9) 5. Nehemiah goes to house of Shemiah, and he suggest that they meet in the Temple, close the doors because men are trying to kill you (6:10) 6. Nehemiah realized that Shemiah was hired to intimidate him causing sin and discredit (6:11-13) 7. Nehemiah prayed to remember Tobiah and Sanballat for trying to intimidate (6:14)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Restoration and Defense	Nehemiah 4
Fairness and Community	Nehemiah 5
Prayerful Focus among distracting plots	Nehemiah 6

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Nehemiah faces insults, unfair taxes and plots distract from purpose.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that doing what God has for us requires focus, removing distractions, pure motives and prayer.

Application Questions

How do you guard against frustrations in your work for the Lord?

Where do you find unfairness and how do you respond?

What things tend to distract and lead you to not being your best?

Principles to Remember

Enemies will come; be on guard.

Encourage fairness; reminders may be necessary

Focus brings reward; don’t get caught up in unfounded rumors

Characteristic of God

Encourager

Theme

Nehemiah faces enemies to insult, situations to discourage and plots to entrap; each requirement faithful commitment.

 

Nehemiah 1-3

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    23                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 1-3

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Report and Prayer for people and Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1) REPORT 1. Hanani, a brother came from Judah providing report of Jewish remnant and Jerusalem (1:1-2) 2. Exile Survivors are in trouble, disgrace; walls are down and burnt (1:3) 3. Hearing Nehemiah mourned, fasted and prayed to God (1:4) PRAYER 4. Praise – Great and awesome God; keeps covenant of love; Hear my prayer for the people of Israel Hear my prayer for the people of Israel (1:5-6a) 5. Confession – Sins of Israelites and father’s family: acted wickedly, disobeyed commands, decrees given to Moses (1:6b-7) 6. Calling out promise – “unfaithful” scattered and “return and obey commands” gather and bring to dwelling for your name (1:8-9) 7. Petition – Your servants and people you redeemed through Your strength; give success and favor with the king (1:10-11)

Request, Permission and Preparation for Return to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1-10) 1. Nehemiah brings wine to king; displaying sadness with king asking “why” (2:1-2) 2. Nehemiah describes Jerusalem in ruin (2:3) 3. King asks Nehemiah what he wants?” with the response to send him to rebuild it (2:4-5) 4. King asks “how long will it take?”; setting a time (2:6) 5. Nehemiah asks for letters of safe-conduct and for timber to rebuild gates, walls and residence; request granted. (2:7-8) 6. Nehemiah gives letters to governors and king also provided army officers and calvary for protection (2:9) 7. Sanballat and Tobiah heard and were disturbed that welfare of Israel was promoted (2:10)

Survey, Responsibility, and Encourage Rebuilding Walls and Gates (2:11-3:32) SURVEY 1. Nehemiah went to Jerusalem; after 3 days privately surveyed examining walls, gates saying nothing toe the Jews, priests, nobles or officials who would be doing the work (2:11-16) 2. Nehemiah shares findings, and God’s hand and King’s words (2:17-18a) 3.They replied “Let’s start rebuilding” (2:18b) 4. Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem mock and ridicule “What are you doing, rebelling?” – Response God is with us and you have no part (2:19-20) 5. Rebuilding Gates and Walls of Jerusalem – High priest and priests, rulers, Levites, and priests from surrounding region (3)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Report and Prayer for people and Jerusalem	Nehemiah 1
Request, Permission and Preparation to Jerusalem	Nehemiah 2:1-10
Survey, Responsibility and Encourage Rebuilding Walls and Gates	Nehemiah 2:11-3:32

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Nehemiah hears Jerusalem condition, prays, petitions and directs rebuilding efforts

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God is faithful to His people and directs their efforts for those who are faithful to Him.

Application Questions

What is your response to hearing devastating news? What do you take to God in prayer?

How do you act and respond when you know something is wrong? How do you engage?

In what ways do you encourage others in their faith walk and service?

Principles to Remember

God engages with us

God encourages us

God enables our efforts

Characteristic of God

Strength

Theme

Nehemiah is used by God to recognize the need, respond responsibly and encourage Jerusalem’s rebuilding.

 

Zechariah 12-14

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    22                                                     Passage:    Zechariah 12-14

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jerusalem Besieged (Zechariah 12) Word of the Lord concerning Israel; on that day: 1. Jerusalem, a cup sending nations reeling (12:1-2) 2 Jerusalem is an immovable rock; nations gathered against – Injured (12:3) 3. Strike every horse and rider with madness; will keep a watchful eye over Judah and blind horses; people say Jerusalem is strong because the Lord is their God (12:4-5) 4. Make clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, consuming all surrounding peoples; Jerusalem will remain intact, saving dwellings to honor the house of David (12:6-7) 5. Set out to destroy all nations that attack Jerusalem; pouring out the spirit of grace; they will look on God… one pierced, mourn with him, grieve deeply (12:8-10) 6. Weeping in Jerusalem; each clan by themselves… David and wives, Nathan and wives, Levi and wives, Shimei and wives, and the rest of the clans and wives (12:11-14)

Israel Cleansed (Zechariah 13) Fountain flowing deep and wide; on that day: 1. Cleanse from sin and impurity (13:1) 2. Banish idols, remove prophets and spirit of impurity; those that still prophesy parents declare and stab one who prophesy (13:2-3) 3. Prophets will be ashamed of prophetic vision and not put on a garment to deceive; if someone asks regarding wounds, they will deflect in response (13:4-6)   4. Awake sword against God’s shepherd; a. Strike shepherd – Sheep scattered with the Lord’s hand against the little ones (13:7) b. In the whole land, two-thirds were struck down and perish with one-third remaining (13:8) c. Remaining one-third refined like silver and gold in a fire; tested (13:9a) d. They will call Lord’s name, and Lord will answer, “they are my people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God” (13:9b)

Day of the Lord (Zechariah 14) Day of the Lord is coming; on that day: 1. When possessions are lost; Lord will gather the nations, the city captured, and people taken from the city (14:1-2) 2. The Lord will go out against those nations fighting a battle (14:3) 3. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives and split in two, forming a great valley; then the Lord will come (14:4-5) 4. There will be neither sunlight, cold, frosty darkness; a unique day with no distinction between day and night, in the evening there will be light (14:5-7) 5. Living water will flow out from Jerusalem to the east and west in summer and winter; the Lord is King (14:8-9a) 6. One Lord; His name is only name (14:9b) 7. Jerusalem will be secure 14:10-11) 8. Plague against nations who fought against Jerusalem: they will rot, panic seizing each other; Judah will fight, capturing wealth (14:12-15) 9. Survivors will come to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles; those who don’t will see plagues (14:16-19) 10. Holy to the Lord will be inscribed (14:20-21)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Jerusalem Besieged	Zechariah 12
Israel Cleansed	Zechariah 13
Day of the Lord	Zechariah 14

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Prophecy concerning besieging Israel, cleansing, and coming Day of Lord

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL on that day… “Day the Lord” He saves and protects His own; He cleanses and is the only Name above all the earth.

Application Questions

What issues are you battling that need to be turned over to the Lord?

How has the Lord impacted your world by bringing cleansing forgiveness?

How do you celebrate the Lord’s work for you?

Principles to Remember

Our Lord protects

Our Lord Refines and Cleanses

Our Lord is Holy

Characteristic of God

Eternal God

Theme

The final words of Zechariah encourage Jerusalem, tell of God’s cleansing spirit and describes Lord as Holy Sovereign King.

 

Zechariah 9-11

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    21                                                     Passage:    Zechariah 9-11

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Victorious King Comes (Zechariah 9) A prophecy: 1. Word of Lord against Damascus. The eyes of people and tribes on the Lord. (9:1-2) 2. Tyre had built a stronghold of wealth, but the Lord will take wealth and their power away (9:3-4) 3. Gaza and Ekron will wither and lose king. (9:5) 4. Pride of Philistines will be removed (9:6-7) 5. God will encamp at temple and guard. No oppressor will overrun His people; he is keeping watch. (9:8) 6.King comes righteous and victorious riding on donkey (9:9-13) a. Take away chariots and war horses (9:10a) b. Proclaim peace to nations (9:10b) c. Free prisoners (9:11) d. Restore hope (9:12) e. Bend Judah and arouse sons (9:13) 7. Lord appear, shield destroy (9:14-15) 8. Lord will save as a shepherd saves flock (9:16-17)

Gathering and Restoration (Zechariah 10) 1. Ask Lord for rain; he gives to everyone (10:1) 2. Idols and diviners are false tell lies; people wander with lack of shepherd (10:2) 3. Lord’s anger will punish leaders; Lord will care for Judah and make proud (10:3-7) a. Judah a cornerstone from tent peg, battle bow from every ruler (10:3-4). b. Be like warriors trampling enemy; Lord is with them. (10:5) c. Strengthen & restore due to Lord’s compassion; like without rejection (10:6) d. Ephraimites become like warriors with glad hearts. (10:7a) e. Children will see, be joyful and rejoice in Lord (10:7b) 4. Lord will signal and gather, redeem and be numerous as before (10:8-12) a. They will remember the Lord and return (10:9) b. They’ll come back from Egypt, Assyria, Gilead and Lebanon and won’t be enough room for them (10:10) c. They’ll pass through trouble; enemies pride brought down and Egypt scepter will pass away (10:11) d. Lord declares He will strengthen them and they’ll live securely (10:12)

True Shepherd and Rejection (Zechariah 11) 1. Open your doors, wail, listen to sound of Judgment (11:1-3) 2. The Lord says.. The flock marked for slaughter was given to hands of neighbors and their king, devastated and not rescued (11:4-6) 3. Lord shepherded flock marked for slaughter of rid of 3 shepherds of two staffs (11:7-8) 4. Flock detested God and He grew weary revoking covenant and oppressed knew the reason (11:9-11) 5. Lord requested payment; 30 pieces of silver and thrown to potter the price at which they valued Him. (11:12-13) 6. Family bond broken between Israel and Judah (11:14) 7. Foolish shepherd raised up over the land who will not care for sheep, but devour them (11:15-16) 8.  Woe to the worthless shepherd who is cursed with a strike to arm and right eye (11:17)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Victorious King Comes	Zechariah 9
Gathering and Restoration	Zechariah 10
True Shepherd and Rejection	Zechariah 11

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

The king and shepherd flock returning and worthless shepherd curse.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that the Lord as king calls for His people to come to Him caring for them and conquering evil.

Application Questions

What is your response to God’s request to come to Him for protection?

How are you tricked or fooled by false teaching?  How can you guard against being led astray?

What are you willing to give up for God’s best?

Principles to Remember           

God is our steadfast hope and salvation

God strengthens and restores

Our choice good or worthless shepherd

Characteristic of God

Good Shepherd

Theme

God is our shield and defender and saves his flock as their redeemer.

Zechariah 7-8

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    20                                                     Passage:    Zechariah 7-8

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Fast or Feast; a time to mourn or listen (Zechariah 7) 1. People of Bethel ask priests and prophets: “should we mourn and fast” (7:1-3) 2. Word of the Lord to Zechariah asking people – When you fasted were you doing it for yourselves (7:4-6) 3. Not the words of earlier prophets when at rest and prosperous (7:7) 4. Word of the Lord to Zechariah: administer justice, show mercy and compassion, don’t oppress or plot evil (7:8-10) 5. People refused to pay attention to the earlier prophets; Lord’s anger resulted (7:11-12) 6. Result: when the Lord called, they didn’t listen; they called the Lord, but didn’t listen, and scattered them, and the land became desolate (7:13-14)

Promise of Good to Jerusalem and Judah (Zechariah 8:1-13) 1. Lord came to Zechariah saying: He is jealous for Zion (8:1-2) 2. Lord will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem (8:3) 3. The Old will sit in streets of Jerusalem and streets filled with children playing; a marvelous time (8:4-6) 4. Lord will save people from countries east and west and be faithful and righteous to them as their God (8:7-8) 5. Be strong so that the temple will be built; the Lord won’t deal with people as in the past (8:9-11) 6. Seeds will grow, vine yield fruit, ground produce crops and heaven’s dew; God will save, and you’ll be a blessing. No fear and hands be strong. (8:12-13)

God’s Presence Time of Joyful Feasting (Zechariah 8:14-23) 1. God’s anger determined the fate of ancestors and determined good; don’t be afraid (8:14-15) 2. Things the Lord wants people to do (8:16-17) a. Speak the truth, b. Render sound and true judgment, c. Don’t plot evil against each other, d. Don’t love to swear falsely 3. Fasts of 4th, 5th and 7th and 10th to become joyful, glad occasions and happy festivals… Love truth and peace (8:18-19) 4. Many people will come to seek the Lord and to entreat him (8:20-22) 5. People from all languages and nations will take hold of one by the hem of robe saying: “let us go with you, we heard God is with you” (8:23)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Fast or Feast; Time to mourn or listen	Zechariah 7
Promise of Good to Jerusalem and Judah	Zechariah 8:1-13
God’s Presence Time of Joyful Feasting	Zechariah 8:14-23

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

God’s Word, no mourning, promise, and presence bring joyful feasting

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that there is no fear in following the Lord, speaking truth, judging rightly, caring for each other honestly.

Application Questions

How are you loving the Lord by honoring your neighbor?

What truth about God’s jealousy for you is most impactful?

How do you celebrate joyously all that God is doing for you?  Is your joy attractive to others?

Principles to Remember           

Focus brings truth

God’s promises are true

Joy in the Lord is attractive

Characteristic of God

Jealous for us

Theme

God’s jealousy for us and is cause for righteous living, loving our neighbor, remembering His promises, and celebrating His goodness.