About Nehemiah
God-directed work accomplished through prayer, planning, and perseverance will succeed despite every form of opposition - because the work is ultimately God's.
"The God of heaven will give us success."
Nehemiah 2:20
Written
circa 430-400 BC
Author
Nehemiah
Genre
Narrative / Historical / Memoir
Position
16th of 66 books - Historical Books
Authorship
Primarily written by Nehemiah himself - the book contains extensive first-person memoirs recording his prayers, actions, and frustrations. Ezra may have compiled the final form.
Historical Context
Set during the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia (c. 445-433 BC). Jerusalem's walls had lain in ruins for 140 years. Nehemiah served as cupbearer to the Persian king - a trusted and influential position.
Purpose
To show God's sovereign orchestration of seemingly secular political processes to accomplish his redemptive purposes - and to model prayerful, courageous, practical leadership in the face of opposition.
Key Message
God-directed work accomplished through prayer, planning, and perseverance will succeed despite every form of opposition - because the work is ultimately God's.
Book Structure
Interesting Facts
Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt in just 52 days - Nehemiah's opponents admitted 'this work had been done with the help of our God' (6:16).
Nehemiah's short arrow prayers scattered throughout the narrative are models of spontaneous prayer in the midst of crisis.
Ezra's public reading of the law (ch. 8) with the people weeping and rejoicing is one of the great revival scenes in the OT.