1:1 These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: It so happened that in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, I was in Susa the citadel.
Most conservative scholars believe that Nehemiah was the author of this book, because of the first person pronouns. Another possibility is Ezra. He could have copied down some of the first person accounts of Nehemiah. Both the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate named this book “Second Ezra.” The Hebrew texts join Ezra and Nehemiah together as one text. New Testament writers never quote from the Book of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah means “Jehovah consoles.” Nehemiah was a cup-bearer for the Persian king. He tasted the wines of the king to make sure that they were not poisoned. This meant that the king completely trusted Nehemiah. Nehemiah was serving in this position thirteen years after this same king had sent Ezra to Jerusalem.
Susa was the winter capital of the Persian King. Susa was about 250 miles east of Babylon. in 550 B.C., Daniel was transported to this city. Esther became Ahasuerus’s queen in this palace. This city has been confirmed by archaeology.
1:2 Hanani, who was one of my relatives, along with some of the men from Judah, came to me, and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.
Hanani was Nehemiah’s brother (Nehemiah 7:2). He returned to Jerusalem with Ezra during the second exile. He traveled the 900-mile, four-month journey from Jerusalem to Shushan. He reported news to his brother about the situation in Jerusalem. He arrived in the month of Chisleu, which would be late November or early December.
1:3 They said to me, “The remnant that remains from the exile there in the province are experiencing considerable adversity and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been burned down!”
Zerubbabel had partially rebuilt this wall after the first exile, but enemies attacked Jerusalem, tore down the walls, and burnt down the gates.
After hearing this report, Nehemiah could have said, “That is too bad. I’ll place you on my prayer list. I will pray for you, my brother.” However, Nehemiah was not as pious as most modern Christians.
1:4 When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah did not criticize the people. Instead, he sat down and cried. He mourned for several days. He fasted and prayed to heaven.
1:5 Then I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments,
The Hebrew for “LORD God” is יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י (Jehovah Elohi), meaning the covenant-keeping-promise-keeping triune-creator God. Nehemiah was most likely a young man who was born into captivity. However, he knew that God made and kept promises with His people. He knew that God was the triune Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Notice that God is not called “the God of Israel,” but the God “of heaven.” Nehemiah was living in the time of the Gentiles. Israel was a tribute nation at this time, underneath the jurisdiction of Persia. According to the prophets, Israel would also serve underneath Rome, be removed from the land, they would return in rebellion, and then David would co-reign with the Messiah during the Messianic Kingdom.
Nehemiah reminded God of the Mosaic Covenant. The Mosaic Covenant was conditional. If Israel obeyed God, then she would be blessed. If Israel was disobedient, then she would be cursed.
Those who love God will keep His commandments. Jesus said the same thing. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” The commandments for Israel was the Mosaic Law. If Israel loved God, they would keep these commandments. They would keep these commandments of the Mosaic Law, because Israel wanted to please God.
The commandments for modern Christians is bible doctrine. Those who love Christ will study bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God and apply it in their lives. One cannot apply bible doctrine unless they know it.
1:6 may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committed against you—both I myself and my family have sinned.
Just as Daniel and Ezra identified themselves with the people in sin against God, Nehemiah prayed in the same way. America needs to confess its sin against God in the same way. American lawmakers have censored the Bible in public school education. They have made all demonic religions equal to that of the Bible (multiculturalism). They have passed laws which support same sex marriage, drugs, alcohol, abortion, transgenderism, and pornography. The electorate who has placed these kinds of leaders into office has rebelled against the God who made America great. America is no longer great, because they do not study and apply God's word.
1:7 We have behaved corruptly against you, not obeying the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.
Nehemiah believed God’s Word. America does not, even though America has been given more light than any nation in history. The sin of America is great. All geographical regions who reject such great light rarely or never receive it again as a nation, although God will still call out individuals from these regions.
1:8 Please recall the word you commanded your servant Moses: ‘If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations.
Moses predicted that Israel would disobey God and be scattered into all nations all over the world. This was not a reminder to God as if He had forgotten His promise, but it was a plea to study and apply His Word.
9 But if you repent and obey my commandments and do them, then even if your dispersed people are in the most remote location, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to reside.’
There are many amillennialists and postmillennialist pastors who do not believe that the people of Israel will return back to their land. They believe that God lied to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Jesus, and Paul. Nehemiah was not a pastor, but he was a layman. He believed that God would keep His promise to Israel and return her people to her land. Sometimes God will not reach a pastor, but he will reach a layman. God uses laymen to take the gospel to his elect.
10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your mighty strength and by your powerful hand.
Israel was the only nation in history who went into slavery three times, but God redeemed her each time and brought her back into her land.
11 Please, O Lord, listen attentively to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respect to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to me in the presence of this man.” Now I was cupbearer for the king.
Nehemiah asked the Lord to use him. Nehemiah was a cupbearer for the Persian King. Nehemiah asked Jehovah to soften the king’s heart so that he could receive permission to return to Jerusalem and serve the Lord.