fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Aug 21, 2019 11:18:59 GMT -5
I am feeling kind of sick with a cold today so I did not give a background....maybe one of you can or I will hopefully feel better tomorrow or the next day after and include it.
Nehemiah 1: 1-11
Report from Jerusalem
It starts with Nehemiah in Susa the citadel and he inquiries about the Jews in their land, how are they faring. What he was told was not good at all
(the holy city was exposed and in ruins.)
and it deeply effected him, to the point he wept and mourned for days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah's Prayer
He starts his prayer by giving glory to God.
Then he confesses both the sins of Israel and his own sins.
He speaks of their relationship with God as God's servants.
And the great things God has done for them in the past.
He asks for mercy.
This is a good prayer example for me.
And then we discover he was the king's cupbearer.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 21, 2019 17:33:04 GMT -5
Nehemiah chapter 1
The major portion of the book is occupied with a history of Nehemiah's twelve years' administration in Jerusalem, after which he returned to his duties in Shushan. At a later period he returned with new powers and commenced new and vigorous measures of reform, which are detailed in the later chapters of the book.
Nehemiah fasts, morns and prays asking God to hear the prayers from him as he calls himself a servant praying for the people of Israel, for he remembered the word that the Lord told Moses saying, if ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations, but if the people remember the commandments that were given to Moses then the Lord will bless them. Nehemiah stated that he was the kings cupbearer, which means he had influence and frequent access to royal presence.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 22, 2019 9:55:46 GMT -5
Nehemiah 2: 1-20
Being the cupbearer for the king meant he had a lot of contact with the king, and thus potentially a lot of influence.
Also being sad around the king was very dangerous, it made the king look bad and was considered an insult to the king.
Although this was over the top ( to demand no one ever be sad),
it does however speak to me....
in that, melancholy/depression has often been my main expression,
and as a Christian,
others might rightly wonder......
why would they wish to become a Christian,
if it has nothing to offer for the sad state of this world.
However, always grinning ( and not being sincere in it) is not the point either....
but does God give us peace and a promise of a glorious future or not?
If so then why the constant long sad face?
Anyway, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes. noticed for the first time ever that Nehemiah looked sad.
And he immediately asked Nehemiah about it.
What is important to note ( besides the fact that Nehemiah was afraid)
was when the king asked what Nehemiah requested
was the first thing Nehemiah did before answering the king....
was he prayed first!!
I think it interesting to note, Nehemiah did not say what we often say when asked: Oh......I am OK.
Rather he is honest and says exactly what is making him sad.
Then Nehemiah asks to go to Judah to make repairs, plus he asks for letters, lumber etc.
"And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me."
Again we see it was the hand of God!!
Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls
So Nehemiah goes and inspects the walls at night and he then tells the people "the hand of my God that had been upon me for good" let's build....
He did condemn them for not doing it themselves he came with a servants heart, to help ( he could not do it all by himself either so he encouraged them)
And of course....to be expected....opposition arises!!
I think so often this takes Christians by surprise and then they are defeated. I know it does me, but we need to be prepared...it is almost always going to happen, sooner or later, but we are not to be surprised...in a way, it shows we are truly God's children or Satan and demons would not care.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 22, 2019 13:59:03 GMT -5
sorry ladies, made a post in the chat thread and now will have to wait till tomorrow to post here...
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 22, 2019 17:29:05 GMT -5
Nehemiah chapter 2
Nehemiah makes a request. It was the month of April and Nehemiah was sad, so much so that it showed that he was sad and he did not want that to show of himself and King Artaxerxes noticed that Nehemiah was sad and questioned him as to why he was sad, the king asked, are you sick, you have sorrow of the heart, at the king saying that to Nehemiah he felt fear, Nehemiah the cupbearer. What the Lord has spoken He will bring to pass, what the Lord has purposed He will do it, for the Lord changes not. Unlike people who are always changing, growing for the better or for the worse, or just feeling discouraged. Nehemiah answered giving proper reverence the the king and said that the people are in affliction and reproach, the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates burned with fire. The king then asked Nehemiah what he could do for him and Nehemiah told the king to let him pray about it first before he gives the king an answer to his question. Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven. After a time in prayer Nehemiah humbly asked the king that he may be excused as a servant and go to Judah unto the city of his fathers sepulchres that he may build it. The king asked Nehemiah how long he would be there doing that, when would he return. Nehemiah asked that word in his favor be sent to the other governors so that he could pass beyond the river safely, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest so he could get from him timber to build and repair with. The king sent the letter to Asaph so that Nehemiah could have what he wanted. Nehemiah kept it to himself his goal and desire, not telling others. Then he did tell the others and said to them let us build anew. The men said let us build, but some men despised them. Nehemiah said to the ones that mocked and despise that God will not prosper them and that they had not part of that blessing that they will get.
That reminds me of the scripture Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 23, 2019 11:06:55 GMT -5
I am feeling kind of sick with a cold today so I did not give a background....maybe one of you can or I will hopefully feel better tomorrow or the next day after and include it.
Nehemiah 1: 1-11
Report from Jerusalem
It starts with Nehemiah in Susa the citadel and he inquiries about the Jews in their land, how are they faring. What he was told was not good at all
(the holy city was exposed and in ruins.)
and it deeply effected him, to the point he wept and mourned for days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah's Prayer
He starts his prayer by giving glory to God.
Then he confesses both the sins of Israel and his own sins.
He speaks of their relationship with God as God's servants.
And the great things God has done for them in the past.
He asks for mercy.
This is a good prayer example for me.
And then we discover he was the king's cupbearer.
When we learn that he's the kings cupbearer, we then understand that he is very afraid about what he plans to do next.
Humanly speaking only one person could make it possible for Nehemiah to help the Jews in Jerusalem—the king he served. Years earlier, Artaxerxes had issued a decree to stop the construction work in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:21), and he was the only one who could reverse that order. That is why Nehemiah prayed specifically, Give Your servant success today by granting him favor (lit., “compassion”) in the presence of this man. Nehemiah was referring of course to King Artaxerxes. A favorable relationship with the king could open the door for his petition. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Some have misunderstood the importance of what Nehemiah divulged at the end of this verse, thinking that the cupbearer was a lowly position. To the contrary, the cupbearer in the Persian court served in a position of honor and influence, 2nd only to the crown prince in relation to the king. Nehemiah’s relationship to the king actually explains why he received such a positive response to his request and the subsequent authority he exercised in the province of Judah. The Apologetics Study Bible
Nehemiah chapter 1
The major portion of the book is occupied with a history of Nehemiah's twelve years' administration in Jerusalem, after which he returned to his duties in Shushan. At a later period he returned with new powers and commenced new and vigorous measures of reform, which are detailed in the later chapters of the book.
Nehemiah fasts, morns and prays asking God to hear the prayers from him as he calls himself a servant praying for the people of Israel, for he remembered the word that the Lord told Moses saying, if ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations, but if the people remember the commandments that were given to Moses then the Lord will bless them. Nehemiah stated that he was the kings cupbearer, which means he had influence and frequent access to royal presence.
Nehemiah 2: 1-20
Being the cupbearer for the king meant he had a lot of contact with the king, and thus potentially a lot of influence.
Also being sad around the king was very dangerous, it made the king look bad and was considered an insult to the king.
Although this was over the top ( to demand no one ever be sad),
it does however speak to me....
in that, melancholy/depression has often been my main expression,
and as a Christian,
others might rightly wonder......
why would they wish to become a Christian,
if it has nothing to offer for the sad state of this world.
However, always grinning ( and not being sincere in it) is not the point either....
but does God give us peace and a promise of a glorious future or not?
If so then why the constant long sad face?
Anyway, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes. noticed for the first time ever that Nehemiah looked sad.
And he immediately asked Nehemiah about it.
What is important to note ( besides the fact that Nehemiah was afraid)
was when the king asked what Nehemiah requested
was the first thing Nehemiah did before answering the king....
was he prayed first!!
I think it interesting to note, Nehemiah did not say what we often say when asked: Oh......I am OK.
Rather he is honest and says exactly what is making him sad.
Then Nehemiah asks to go to Judah to make repairs, plus he asks for letters, lumber etc.
"And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me."
Again we see it was the hand of God!!
Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls
So Nehemiah goes and inspects the walls at night and he then tells the people "the hand of my God that had been upon me for good" let's build....
He did condemn them for not doing it themselves he came with a servants heart, to help ( he could not do it all by himself either so he encouraged them)
And of course....to be expected....opposition arises!!
I think so often this takes Christians by surprise and then they are defeated. I know it does me, but we need to be prepared...it is almost always going to happen, sooner or later, but we are not to be surprised...in a way, it shows we are truly God's children or Satan and demons would not care.
The comment that he hadn't been sad in the Kings presence before is a very important statement, as it was actually a law that no servant could look sad in front of the king.
Eastern monarchs were sheltered from anything that might bring them unhappiness (Es. 4:1–2). He feared that either his countenance, his explanation, or his request would anger the king and thus lead to his death (cf. Esther 4:11 with Esther 5:1–3). The MacArthur study Bible.
A servant was never to let his negative emotions show before the king, for it might suggest dissatisfaction with the king. To do so might jeopardize his position or even his life. Also Nehemiah knew that his request was a bold one. A few years earlier this king had stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem and now Nehemiah was going to ask that the order be reversed. The cupbearer was risking his life! But his response was wise, no doubt reflecting the fact that he had been thinking about this opportunity, should it come, for a number of months. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
What I love about this is that it shows how much like us Nehemiah is. He's about to go into the kings presence with a sad face, which he knows could cost him his life - but he believes it's what he is supposed to do and therefore he intends to be obedient to the Lord regardless of how afraid he is. So he goes in and sure enough the king instantly notices that he looks sad and asks him why. Nehemiah tells him why without actually mentioning the name of Jerusalem. (this show that even back then people debated whether or not Jerusalem belonged to the Jew's!) The king isn't a dummy and realizes that Nehemiah wants something, so asks him what it is he wants. Then Nehemiah does what we all do when faced with something scary and/or important to us - he mentally sent up one of those quickie "emergency prayers" before answering the king!
“Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.” (Nehemiah 2:6) Since Esther was the queen of the previous king Ahasuerus (Xerxes) ca. 486–464 B.C. and the stepmother of Artaxerxes, it could be that she had previously influenced the present king and queen to be favorably disposed to the Jews. The MacArthur study Bible
Nehemiah 2:8. Artaxerxes’ permission to rebuild the city of Jerusalem is the decree Daniel had prophesied 95 years earlier in 539 b.c. This decree was issued on March 5, 444 b.c. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Then, no sooner then God's people begin to do His Will, but the enemy shows up to try and discourage them, or destroy them! Let me share what Wiersbe says as it's so good: Nehemiah is a good example of how believers should relate to unsaved officials as they seek to do the work of God. Nehemiah respected the king & sought to work within the lines of authority that existed in the empire. He didn’t say, “I have a commission from the Lord to go to Jerusalem, & I’m going whether you like it or not!” When it comes to matters of conscience, we must always obey God rather than men; but even then, we must show respect for authority (Rom. 13 and 1 Peter 2:11–25). Daniel & his friends took the same approach as did Nehemiah, & God honored them as well.
Nehemiah was not only able to challenge his own people, but he was also able to stand up against the enemy and deal effectively with their opposition. Just as soon as God’s people step out by faith to do His will, the enemy shows up and tries to discourage them. Sanballat and Tobiah heard about the enterprise (v. 10) and enlisted Geshem to join them in opposting the Jews. In chapters 4–7, Nehemiah will describe the different weapons the enemy used and how the Lord enabled him to defeat them.
They started off with ridicule, a device somebody has called “the weapon of those who have no other.” They laughed at the Jews and belittled both their resources and their plans. They even suggested that the Jews were rebelling against the king. That weapon had worked once before (see Ezra 4). Nehemiah could have dealt with their ridicule in several ways. He might have ignored it, and sometimes that’s the wisest thing to do (Prov. 26:4). But at the beginning of an enterprise, it’s important that leaders encourage their people and let them know that God has everything in control. Had Nehemiah ignored these three men who were important in the community, he might have weakened his own position among the Jews. After all, he was the official governor, and he was doing official business. Or, Nehemiah might have debated with the three enemy leaders and tried to convince them that their position was false. But that approach would only have given “official promotion” to the 3 men along with opportunity for them to say more. In his reply, Nehemiah made 3 things clear: Rebuilding the wall was God’s work; the Jews were God’s servants; and Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem had no part in the matter. Sometimes leaders have to negotiate, but there are times when leaders must draw a line and defend it. Be Determined.
I loved what you had to say about the sad face and melancholy etc. I'd like to hear more about how you feel about that now. Can someone who's been saved and understands what all God has done for them, and knows how God expects them to deal with their thoughts and emotions, be depressed most of the time? Is there any time that it's ok for a Christian to be "sad" or depressed, and if so when is it ok? Tell me more about this ok? 
Nehemiah chapter 2
Nehemiah makes a request. It was the month of April and Nehemiah was sad, so much so that it showed that he was sad and he did not want that to show of himself and King Artaxerxes noticed that Nehemiah was sad and questioned him as to why he was sad, the king asked, are you sick, you have sorrow of the heart, at the king saying that to Nehemiah he felt fear, Nehemiah the cupbearer. What the Lord has spoken He will bring to pass, what the Lord has purposed He will do it, for the Lord changes not. Unlike people who are always changing, growing for the better or for the worse, or just feeling discouraged. Nehemiah answered giving proper reverence the the king and said that the people are in affliction and reproach, the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates burned with fire. The king then asked Nehemiah what he could do for him and Nehemiah told the king to let him pray about it first before he gives the king an answer to his question. Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven. After a time in prayer Nehemiah humbly asked the king that he may be excused as a servant and go to Judah unto the city of his fathers sepulchres that he may build it. The king asked Nehemiah how long he would be there doing that, when would he return. Nehemiah asked that word in his favor be sent to the other governors so that he could pass beyond the river safely, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest so he could get from him timber to build and repair with. The king sent the letter to Asaph so that Nehemiah could have what he wanted. Nehemiah kept it to himself his goal and desire, not telling others. Then he did tell the others and said to them let us build anew. The men said let us build, but some men despised them. Nehemiah said to the ones that mocked and despise that God will not prosper them and that they had not part of that blessing that they will get.
That reminds me of the scripture Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 23, 2019 12:32:10 GMT -5
Can someone who's been saved and understands what all God has done for them, and knows how God expects them to deal with their thoughts and emotions, be depressed most of the time?
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I think it is possible such a person could be saved and depressed. I think tho there is also a chance they are not really saved.
But I have read ( I think) for example that Martin Luther struggled with depression ( perhaps on and off his whole life?).
I think in some cases bad health might contribute, even Satan might continually be bringing up the past sins ( and if one does not quickly take those thoughts captive...over and over again, it can quickly lead to melancholy), but perhaps the worst, is when doubt strikes.
If one spent a portion of their life doubting God's existence and then realizes that it is absurd to believe nothing produced everything and random chance made non-living things live etc.
and then read the Bible and discover how much God loves you, made provision for you etc.
Sometimes there is a intense battle that will rage and as much as the person hates the doubt trying to assault them, it may pop up unannounced even after they are totally convicted of Jesus existence, death on the cross for their sins, their love for Him etc.
and yet the battle can start up at the most unexpected time and it in itself is depressing.....you so want sin, doubt, depression to go away forever.
So back to the Bible and prayer you go.....in that sense, I guess you could find even depression being used for good by God.
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Is there any time that it's ok for a Christian to be "sad" or depressed, and if so when is it ok?
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Yes, there are times when death or sickness, war, etc. come and we will be sad.....even Jesus wept.....so I think it is ok.....but we are not to camp and wallow in it for ever.......
We are to take that 'feeling' and replace it with trust in the Lord, His promises, and His Word.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 23, 2019 18:55:34 GMT -5
Nehemiah 3
We get a list of the builders and what part they rebuilt.
There were a couple of surprising things mentioned like
".... the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord".
Not a very good way to be remembered, at the very least.
and then there was this:
"Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters."
Interesting that his daughters helped in the repair.
and then:
"27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel."
The fact they repaired 2 sections seemed commendable to me.
What is interesting is that everybody pulled and worked together and Nehemiah was a good leader seeing to it that the wall was completed .
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 23, 2019 21:07:04 GMT -5
Nehemiah chapter 3
The rebuilding has begun. They were blessed and working in unison to rebuild Jerusalem. They rebuilt the sheep gate, and prayed dedicating it to the Lord in prayer. They rebuilt where the weapons and armour of the city lay, also a tower, and to the going up of the corner, which was the place of judgment or execution.
Even now days when people work together, with the Lord's help, in love to help to rebuild a person's life, it is something beautiful and encouraging to see.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God is love.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 24, 2019 11:40:16 GMT -5
Nehemiah 4: 1-23
Opposition to the Work
But of course.....can't let anything of God go unchallenged sigh!
So first off the opposition tries mocking, sarcasm, ridicule and scorn trying to to discourage the workers.
Funny Cindy asked me to talk about depression and here we have the enemy trying to discourage and depress these workers. They point out the fact these workers are kind of feeble, weak, and other 1/2 truths ( while neglecting to factor in their God who is perfect in every way).
Discouragement is a powerful weapon of Satan and it does often stop believers by getting them to look at their flaws and not their faith in a wonderful God.
So what to do?
Nehemiah prays!!!
" Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders."
He asks God to fight the battle....
And then........ kind of picked themselves up and worked!!
6 "So we built the wall...."
As the work then progressed the enemy decided on violence next ( so far just talk tho) ....and so
9 "And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night."
But also they enemy tried to create confusion.....confusion will also stop people from doing anything....and our God is not a God of confusion.....but confused we do get from time to time.
Still, I can see how they might have wondered why their prayers did not stop the continuing attacks.....was God saying for them to stop? Thus confusion.
But no they knew better and continued to pray.
Still we need to also set a watch ( guards)....there are times when we can just watch God do it all, but most often we need to grow and not just be lazy but set a watch.
But now some of the challenges comes from the inside when Judah says:
"“The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”
Well humph.....Judah sounds unfortunately a lot like....me.
I suppose one could even say the rubbish in our lives has to be dealt with as well....and it is often tiring....
kind of like these folks....it seems like I may make a good 1/2 way mark.....and then just get tired the burden of the heavy stones of sins....even tho Jesus has indeed paid for them all, that does not mean I can pamper them and leave them in my life, knowing He paid for them all....not if I truly love Him.....and yet, it can be tiring for sure.
So while they are probably in their lowest state....then the enemy plans a surprise attack
( kick um while they are down tactic) .
The evil forces of darkness knew the best strategical time.
As they do with believers today....
But ha....God gave them warnings 10 times!
and what does Nehemiah say?
"“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome...."
We ( I) must remember this
( even to the point if necessary: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. ")
Now it was time to get serious and be prepared in the physical realm ( as well as the spiritual).
so the work resumes but...
"From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail".....each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other"
Aha! That is where Spurgeon's: The sword and the Trowel must have come from.
Plus they had a trumpet to call sounding an alarm to arms when needed.
They did not even changed into PJ's the evil was so great! I should be as alert!!!
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 24, 2019 14:36:50 GMT -5
Nehemiah 4
Nehemiah labored for the good of his people pursuing the project of the Lords' will, in spite of the contempt of those around them, they continue it in spite of the hatred and opposition of enemies, and the faintheartedness of fellow-laborers. They had a perseverance. It is also a beautiful feature in Nehemiah's character, that in spite of his high office he had all the details of his service so much at heart, and concern about the upright walk of God's people. In the midst, however, of all this faithfulness, was the influence of the Gentile power wanting to control the whole state of things. Nehemiah's arrival and even his conduct are marked with his influence. It was not faith alone that was in action, but a protecting power.The separation from all that was not Jewish is carefully maintained. Encouraged by Nehemiah's energy, the people are ready to work.
Yes Barbra, it seems even in my life when I had a job as a manager that people that I did not even know them, or their name, tried to discourage and depress me and so did some of my family members, everyone thinking they are right in their own eyes. So yesterday when Andrew in chat said to everyone that feeling negative emotions, opinions, and judgments should be long dead from us as a group of believers, that caught my eye and I noticed what he said because I thought he had good understanding and had experienced such to speak out against it.
What, they did not change to pj's lol and you being on alert, that is funny. Sometimes in the wintertime I just sleep in t-shirt and jeans.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 25, 2019 16:02:42 GMT -5
Anna:
The PJ thing goes on LOL
I if I know I have to go babysit early ( or just usually),
I put on PJ bottoms... but will leave on normal top, sweater etc.
and
sometimes I do not don PJ at all especially if I have to go 'baby' ( kid) sit at 4 in the morning
( before dawn.....
because I am just sooooo tired otherwise and waaay tooo cold etc.
to change in the wee hours).
So I really related to that ha ha.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 25, 2019 16:32:13 GMT -5
Nehemiah 5: 1-19
Certainly the work was threatened from the outside forces, but then, it is not uncommon that work for God can be threatened by the enemy within.....and so it was in this case.
In a way, I think it is way sadder when there is strife among God's people, but the thing is we are still human with sins....and so it happens.
So in this case, money was the issue ( the bigger issue was not loving each other).
However this had grown to really nasty evil proportions.
There was a famine, and extreme taxation, and some had to even sell their children into slavery!!
The rich Jews, were taking advantage of this crisis.
It is often misunderstanding of some Christians to think homes work etc is kind of separate from Church, prayer and Bible study....but that is not true.
We have to have the heart of our Lord in all we do.
That was NOT going on in this situation.
Nehemiah was very angry when he discovered what was going on.
He confronted the nobles and rich with the truth.
He said:
"“The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? .....abandon this exacting of interest......Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”
And they agreed!! That was pretty impressive, not all people are so willing to let go of money.
However, Nehemiah was a godly example himself.....he did not just point his finger at those doing wrong, he set the example by his own life in sooo many ways!
neither he nor his brothers ate the food allowance of the governor...
He was a wealthy man from being the cup bearer.
I must say, hate, or love, or in between,
our current president ( also a wealthy wealthy man)
only takes $1.00 for his payment as president each year.....so in that he reminds me of Nehemiah.
However,
it should be noted that Nehemiah made it clear he did it: "because of the fear of God".
He also gave the example of generosity.
And he continued in his prayer life.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 25, 2019 19:58:31 GMT -5
Nehemiah chapter 5
Against the rich who oppressed them, they said, our sons, and our daughters are many, therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live and we have to borrow money for the king's tribute, and give from our lands and vineyards.This is the complaint of the people, showing the extreme that they were brought to.
They had to pay like we do today, paying property tax.
Tribute to the king of the Persians, was exacted yearly from them. Some of them in bondage to the rich rulers unable to pay their bills. Then the people revolted against this problem. Nehemiah confronted the nobles and ruler, and said, restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive yards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that you obtain from them, which is taken from them for a loan. He also said that he did not receive the portion and diet which the governors who were before him demanded but declares that he chose to seek the wealth of the people rather than his own convenience.
That reminds me of the scripture 1 Cor. 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 26, 2019 11:27:43 GMT -5
Nehemiah 6:1-19
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
The enemy does not rest....
the wall was completed but the gates were not done.
Sanballat and Geshem tried to arrange a what they tired to present as a friendly or harmless meeting with Nehemiah, however, Nehemiah was able to discern their true intentions and declined.
Nevertheless, they tried on 4 different occasions to lure him....
But even IF......( which was very very unlikely)....
they ONLY were attempting to delay and/or distract Nehemiah
( rather than kill him).....
His effectiveness for God would have been lost,
so instead he said to them:
"Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Then they try some vague accusations and lies,
And again, I see this happening with our present president, but really, I think it probably has happened with all most all of them, and not only them but great men, and even unknowns ( right down to us)....
satan the Father of lies, loves to use lies ( he started out from the very beginning with humans but 1/2 lies and full lies)
Sanballat made a plain threat that it would get back to the king!!
Yet again, Nehemiah would not be deterred, but basically told Sanballat he was a liar.
He did not even waste time, trying to go over each point to prove his innocence....it would be a waste of precious time and clearly serve zero purpose ( because Sanballat already knew it was a lie).
Once again, Nehemiah instead took it to the Lord in prayer ( rather than cower in fear)......an example to us as what to do in such a situation.
it can be easy to become paralyzed by fear but God does not want us to live that way ( even IF we were to actually face being killed), we need to pray for God's strength.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Soooo that tactic didn't work, now the enemy moves to the next.
Shemaiah says they are trying to kill you and so he offered Nehemiah a safety
in the temple....only....there is a problem ( or 2) with that
Nehemiah was not a priest, and he would have been disobeying God by doing that.
Not to mention it would discredit him as a coward.
Nehemiah knew Shemaiah was a prophet for hire ...he reminds me of Balaam.
One commentary made a really good point I thought they wrote that they said to Nehemiah:
“Come down to the plain of Ono,”
and
" they said to Jesus, “come down from the cross.”
But Jesus was doing a great work – the greatest work – on the cross and would not be stopped".
I find that so often the idea of taking a little rest sounds...
well even caring and loving....
but not if God wants a work to be done.
and so the wall is completed in 52 days! ( ruined for over a 100 years fixed in 52 days wow!)
The best part was God got the glory!!
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 26, 2019 19:03:43 GMT -5
Chapter 6 is about false rumors about Nehemiah and also the building of walls finished.
I have seen the destructive power of false rumors. Life and death is in the tongue. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all. Prbs 16:23 From a wise mind comes careful and persuasive speech.
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of Nehemiah's enemies, heard that he built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; though at that time he had not set up the doors upon the gates. Nehemiah sent messengers unto these men saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down, why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Meaning, that if he obeyed their request, the work God had appointed would cease. This shows that we should not commit ourselves to the hands of the wicked. But they said to him, come now therefore, and let us take counsel together accusing Nehemiah of having bribed and set up false prophets, to make himself king, and so to defraud the king of Persia of that subjection which he owed to him. Nehemiah did not doubt that God was able to preserve him. God gave him power to resist false prophecies, though they seem to have great probability. The building of the walls were finished.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 27, 2019 10:46:39 GMT -5
Nehemiah 7:1-73
once the walls were built, it was so people could worship....
but...
any serious Christian knows the enemy is still lurking about.
So Nehemiah sets precautions in place....
set up authorities....interestingly we discover his brother
guards, watchmen, the gates only to open later in the day when everybody is up and alert.
Then is the list of the returned families ( Ezra's list?)
which God put in his heart.....Nehemiah does everything according to what God would have him do ( as should I and that is is what I want also).
the list included the people, priests, v, singers, temple servants, Solomon's servants, etc. and even a counting of the animals.
Imagine God honored them twice but even if our names are not written in the Bible, God does have our names in his books in Heaven.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 27, 2019 12:41:10 GMT -5
Can someone who's been saved and understands what all God has done for them, and knows how God expects them to deal with their thoughts and emotions, be depressed most of the time?
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I think it is possible such a person could be saved and depressed. I think tho there is also a chance they are not really saved.
But I have read ( I think) for example that Martin Luther struggled with depression ( perhaps on and off his whole life?).
I think in some cases bad health might contribute, even Satan might continually be bringing up the past sins ( and if one does not quickly take those thoughts captive...over and over again, it can quickly lead to melancholy), but perhaps the worst, is when doubt strikes.
If one spent a portion of their life doubting God's existence and then realizes that it is absurd to believe nothing produced everything and random chance made non-living things live etc.
and then read the Bible and discover how much God loves you, made provision for you etc.
Sometimes there is a intense battle that will rage and as much as the person hates the doubt trying to assault them, it may pop up unannounced even after they are totally convicted of Jesus existence, death on the cross for their sins, their love for Him etc.
and yet the battle can start up at the most unexpected time and it in itself is depressing.....you so want sin, doubt, depression to go away forever.
So back to the Bible and prayer you go.....in that sense, I guess you could find even depression being used for good by God.
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Is there any time that it's ok for a Christian to be "sad" or depressed, and if so when is it ok?
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Yes, there are times when death or sickness, war, etc. come and we will be sad.....even Jesus wept.....so I think it is ok.....but we are not to camp and wallow in it for ever.......
We are to take that 'feeling' and replace it with trust in the Lord, His promises, and His Word.
 I loved your reply Barbara! I'd like to address what you said about Martin Luther though, as you may run up against this some time when you're counseling others. People will often point to some well known pastor in the past that may have struggled with the same thing they struggle with, as though that makes it ok....like it vindicates them or something. But that's not at all the case. For one thing, we only have hear say about pastors back then who may or may not have had such a problem. It's not fair to them or us to say that they definitely did or didn't have such a problem; really is slander and gossip since they can't defend themselves. But, let's say that they did have a problem with depression. Do we know when the problem began and what their attitude toward God and His Word was at that time? Do we know if and when they stopped being depressed (or whatever other issue is being discussed) and what their attitude and knowledge of God was when that happened? We also need to take into consideration what the pastor was dealing with. In the case of Luther, he was trying to get the church to reform. It wasn't in his mind at all to separate from the catholic church, he just wanted the pope and those higher ups to confess, and repent and bring the teaching of the church back into the truth of God's Word. And thereby lies the crux of the issue, especially of depression: Prior to this, Luther, like everyone else simply accepted what they were being taught that the Bible said. They didn't question it. But when he started questioning it, and studying it for himself, a whole new world opened up to him! (just as it does for us!) He learned what causes depression, and how to deal with depression; which he applied to his life along with the other things he learned. I seriously doubt if he had any problems with it after that. (other then the problem of Satan continuing to try and derail him and make him think he was depressed, but he knew better by then.
About there being a time when we can be sad or depressed.... I agree that there are times when we can be sad, when we can grieve, but I don't agree that there is any time that it would be ok for us to be truly depressed. (I think this is one of those times when we have to be super careful about what words we use or we could accidentaly mislead someone. I feel pretty sure I know what you meant by your reply and you would be correct. But other could misunerstand and think that it's ok to be depressed at times.)
I felt I should look up the word depressed, though I didn't know why... but look what it says: Synonyms for depressed: downcast, bad, blue, dejected, disconsolate, dispirited, down, low, spiritless, woebegone. Merriam-Webster’s collegiate thesaurus. Wow! Someone who's depressed then could be said to be "spiritless", or someone without any spirit! But we do have a Spirit that dwells within us and it's not just any spirit, but is the Holy Spirit of God! Does God get depressed? I don't think so! In fact, with all the words used to describe God and His character and attributes in the Bible, I'm absolutely certain that He has never been and never will be depressed. For one thing, God doesn't sin, and depression is a sin. So if we say it's ok to be depressed on occasion, then we're saying it's ok to sin on certain occasions. I know for sure you didn't mean that though. I think instead you were thinking of when a loved one dies or some other tragedy like that, because some people will use the term "depressed" to describe how they or a loved one is feeling that's grieving over a loss etc. But to be depressed or maybe I should use the term, "clinically depressed" or maybe "chronically depressed" or something like that. In other words a deep depression that lasts for months or longer and/or doesn't go away. (Considering that Luther never stopped preaching, I don't think he would qualify as being depressed in the way people think of depression today.)
I love how you put it: "but we are not to camp and wallow in it for ever......."  That's exactly true! Couldn't say it better myself lol. It's ok to have the thought, but we are not to allow ourselves to wallow in it. For example, say a loved one died and you're feeling sad and missing them; you have the natural thought that you don't want to live without them. That's a perfectly normal and natural thought in that kind of situation and it's ok to think it. What's not ok is to think it and then take it further and really focus on the part of the thought that says you don't want to live without them, that life without them is meaningless. That's saying so many different bad things about God that I don't even want to go there in pretend. When we do that, we've gone beyond grieving to willfully sinning against the Lord. Basically saying that He's mean and not at all good because He took away our loved one, etc. (and saying a lot more then that too! So you can see why it would be a sin!
Excellent! Yes, this book has a lot to say about spiritual warfare! Especially chapter 4 and yes, about depression too!  I was going to quote each of the replies but then realized it would take forever if I did that, so decided to reply to what you've done so far, this way instead. I'm sorry I didn't get here yesterday, but had a bit of a set back. Still feeling it today, but forcing myself to post anyway.
Marlene, all of your replies were really great too! I enjoyed reading them as well!
By the way, I often will just stay in my pj's all day long. Especially the last few weeks. I went almost two weeks without getting dressed - was too sick. Went to the hospital in my pj's and to the doctor in my pj's  You've both done a fantastic job on this!!!!!
If you want to talk about depression or anything else some more, I'm open to that.... anytime....
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 27, 2019 14:30:42 GMT -5
Nehemiah chapter 7
The wall was built and doors in place also and the porters and singers and the Levites were appointed. Hanani and Hananiah were given rule of the palace, charge over Jerusalem, they were a good choice because they were faithful and God fearing. There were people appointed to watch who came in through the door and the then the door was closed. Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls.
Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him.
I was given a scripture from a good sister Maylen today and I want to put the scripture here. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Nehemiah put together a list of the nobles, rulers and people so it could be known their genealogy.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 28, 2019 9:46:41 GMT -5
Cindy: I wondered if perhaps you had had a set back...I am so sorry to hear that! I will of course continue to pray for you.
Nehemiah 8: 1-18
Ezra Reads the Law
What is interesting is that the people asked Nehemiah to read the Word of God.
It seems hard for me to imagine people doing that today.
In fact Ezra read for 6 hours.......
and.....
the people stood up the whole time!!
I truly think there are people who are put out if the pastor goes over his 'allotted' 1/2 an hour sermon by 5 minutes!!
After all, the football game is on, or they are going out to eat, or any number of things!!
It's laughable, but not in a happy kind of way, how would they do if they also had to stand ( as in the very presence of God) for 6 hours.....
granted people back then were probably more used to hard labor, and standing
many people today, are not, in our sit down computer world....
so even IF we did not stand,
( and no.... I probably could not stand that long either,
if I tried I might be so focused on the pain,
I would not be focused on God's Word....unless He did a miracle for me)
Still....could we survive a one hour sermon, sitting down...with a cup of coffee and snacks provided by the church?
I was reminded, by the fact that Ezra prayed first, before, reading the Word,
that you had told me that ,years ago ( that I should pray before reading God's Word).
Also men helped the people understand the Word.....yes we have to Holy Spirit to help us understand, but we can also have pastors, preachers, teachers etc. who give us commentaries, sermons etc. to help us understand.
And some of the people may have had a different language etc.
The people responded with tears...with great sorrow at their sins.
This sort of reminds me of our talking about sadness, grief and depression...
because, it true, that sin has consequences, God does punish sin....
However, God also made a way for our sins to be paid in full,
and tho we may grieve for a time over our sins,
we cannot neglect to be grateful and joy filled, most of our days because of what Jesus has done for us!!
And in this case, they tell the people not to mourn any more either.
Our sense of our sin, should not be greater than of God.....
otherwise we are worshiping self
( even tho it may seem like we are being sooo holy.....looking at what great sinners we are....
it is 'self' centered and not God centered).
instead as Ezra said:
"for the joy of the Lord is your strength"....
There is that word 'JOY' which I sometimes forget!!!!!!
We are not to trust and wallow in our emotions and feelings.....tho it seems, it is almost ingrained in us, because as sinners... we are 'self' centered,
but our feelings lie....
we believe 'them',
and think we have no control over them....
But...
we do have control
and they are not to rule us.
well, there was not just one day of studying the Word of the Lord,
but it continued daily...as it ought to for us.
and then the Feast of Booths was celebrated.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 28, 2019 11:03:50 GMT -5
Quoting what you said Barbra, how true I have found that to be and I am still noticing it in my life and learning what is proper to do, it took me time to come to that understanding with the help of the Lord, what you have said and worded well.
We are not to trust and wallow in our emotions and feelings.....tho it seems, it is almost ingrained in us, because as sinners... we are 'self' centered, but our feelings lie... we believe 'them', and think we have no control over them, But...we do have control and they are not to rule us.
Chapter 8
The people asked Ezra to read from the law of Moses. He read from the book from morning to midday. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Then the people were told to go their way back to their homes, they were told that the day was holy unto the Lord and that the Lord is their strength.
There are many scriptures in both the OT and NT in the Bible saying that the Lord is a person's strength.
In the feast of the seventh month the people made booths from branches, these booths were on the roofs of the houses as the house roofs were flat and they sat under the booths and they felt glad, for they had found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month. Day by day Ezra read the book of the law of Mosses and the people listened and were in solemn assembly.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 28, 2019 11:04:57 GMT -5
Nehemiah chapter 7
The wall was built and doors in place also and the porters and singers and the Levites were appointed. Hanani and Hananiah were given rule of the palace, charge over Jerusalem, they were a good choice because they were faithful and God fearing. There were people appointed to watch who came in through the door and the then the door was closed. Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls.
Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him.
I was given a scripture from a good sister Maylen today and I want to put the scripture here. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Nehemiah put together a list of the nobles, rulers and people so it could be known their genealogy.
So much of this book, and this chapter is relevant to us today. It's amazing what we can learn from this. All through the Bible we're taught that if we fear God we have no reason to fear anything or anyone else, but if we don't fear God, then we will fear everything and everyone else. So leaders they picked we those who feared God "even more then most other people did", which made them an excellent choice. Have you noticed that while God is the one who does the work through us, He still insists that we must agree to allow Him to work through us. We must say Yes, before He will do what needs doing. Sadly too many of us are afraid to say yes, and instead at best say, "maybe" or "I'll try" as though it all depended on them. When in fact, the only thing that depends on them is that they say "yes!" Another thing that's true about those who fear the Lord is that they will always be faithful to Him, but those who don't really fear God will waver in their faith and won't always be faithful. How we react when we're threatened will show us who we really fear - other people or God. Whichever one we fear more is the one we'll be faithful to.
By the way, I know none of us wants to be made fun of or persecuted, or hurt in any way, not for our faith or anything else. That would be silly. People who truly fear God don't want to be harmed any more then anyone else does. I guess the difference is that when it becomes obvious that this is what is going to happen (or is in fact happening at that very moment) that those who fear God will ultimately accept it as part of their job description. But they're not going to enjoy it and will be praying against it and asking God to help them and save them just the same as anyone else. The only difference I can see between someone who fears God and someone who fears people, is that the one who fears people more then God will soon tell those who are harming them that they agree with them and that they don't agree with those Christians. While the one who fears God will either stay silent or simply say they agree with what the Bible says or something like that. They won't give God up in order to not lose their job , or not be hurt etc.
I want to quote something Wiersbe says about Nehemiah 7:2, as it relates to today:
The power of leadership appears to be declining everywhere. More and more of the men we see coming to the top seem to be merely drifting. Dr. Ted Engstrom, wrote, “We see the tragedy of weak men in important places—little men in big jobs” . Walter Landor wrote, “When little men cast long shadows, it is a sign that the sun is setting.” An ominous statement, indeed! Be Determined.
I've noticed this pretty much all of my life, only it's gotten worse the older I've gotten. At first I noticed it most at Chruch. When I was a little girl, I noticed there were many families that went to church together - the father, mother and the children. The older I got though, the fewer and fewer fathers and husbands went with their families to church. And now the congregations are mostly made up of women and children. I remember reading a report in the last couple of years that men make up less then 20% of most congregations.
Why is the number of men attending church important, besides the obvious reasons? If a man isn't saved, they can't make best decisions for themselves, for their families, and much less for the country. (1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 4:18–19, Jude 19, Proverbs 28:5, Romans 1:18, Romans 1:28–32, Romans 8:5–9) Obviously too, just because a man goes to church doesn't mean that he's saved, so I don't mean to imply that.
I've also noticed for many many years that there are fewer and fewer men filling the role that God ordained for them of being the head of their home. Men have become weaker and weaker in their faith and in how they lead their families, organizations or the country.
So today most men aren't saved, and therefore don't have any spiritual understanding of what's going on in their own life, or in the world; most men make decisions based on their feelings and their desires, which come from hearts that are corrupted, causing them to sin, and bring the consequences of their sins on themselves and their families; and if they are part of the government, then their sin also affects the entire country! We see how this has and is happening in Europe and the consequences they've had from weak, unsaved, little men, filling jobs that required strong, God fearing men who aren't afraid to lead. We're seeing it too in our own country, which of course is very scary for us. We need to stop putting our faith in any human being, whether it's who we think is best for the presidency, governor, or whatever, and instead put our faith in God, knowing that He is in control and that what His Word says will happen, is what is happening and what is going to happen. We need to be praying that our men will get saved and become God fearing men who will stand firm for the Lord and His Word, and who will stand firm for their wife and children and be the leader that every family needs. That the Holy Spirit will lead our pastors and speak through them, touching the hearts of the men and women and children and making their faith strong and sure. That God will grow us all up in our faith. 
Edited to add: My brain fizzled out half way through what I wanted to say here and I kept losing my place, then would forget what I wanted to say.... and it just kept getting worse. I kept trying to finish it through because I thought I was almost done and that was back when I shared what Wiersbe said! Anyway, I know this has got to be a mess. I haven't even tried to read it again (I'm so exhausted right now I don't think I could read it if I wanted to anyway) but it's probably really messed up. So please disregard everything that doesn't make sense!
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 28, 2019 15:45:13 GMT -5
A christian life is purposed,for the time they live in on the earth. Wanting to believe Christians are purposed to be here, but do they actually believe that, yet they are drawn to the teaching of the Lord. We have contended with Satan who has tried to discourage us from seeing the good scriptures coming true in our lives. Many people have a struggle to not fail, in their mind they are fighting continually, trying to believe a scripture for their life when all of a sudden they feel like they don't deserve it, taking inventory of their life thinking, I don't deserve that from the Lord, the Lord probably won't bless me, I think the Lord barely accepts me, I am not as good as everyone else. People do this because they are aware, or maybe not yet aware, of a few things that they will not confess. We all need to be refined and don't want to stand before the Lord and hear the Lord say, depart from me I never knew you. If a person is trying to escape the world by running to Christ, they are running away from what they have associated themselves with. It is time to be healed from that, to know longer believe the lying tongue of the devil. Fearfully and wonderfully made we are each one of a kind, we don't have a copy.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 29, 2019 11:11:18 GMT -5
Cindy: I wondered if perhaps you had had a set back...I am so sorry to hear that! I will of course continue to pray for you.
Nehemiah 8: 1-18
Ezra Reads the Law
What is interesting is that the people asked Nehemiah to read the Word of God.
It seems hard for me to imagine people doing that today.
In fact Ezra read for 6 hours.......
and.....
the people stood up the whole time!!
I truly think there are people who are put out if the pastor goes over his 'allotted' 1/2 an hour sermon by 5 minutes!!
After all, the football game is on, or they are going out to eat, or any number of things!!
It's laughable, but not in a happy kind of way, how would they do if they also had to stand ( as in the very presence of God) for 6 hours.....
granted people back then were probably more used to hard labor, and standing
many people today, are not, in our sit down computer world....
so even IF we did not stand,
( and no.... I probably could not stand that long either,
if I tried I might be so focused on the pain,
I would not be focused on God's Word....unless He did a miracle for me)
Still....could we survive a one hour sermon, sitting down...with a cup of coffee and snacks provided by the church?
I was reminded, by the fact that Ezra prayed first, before, reading the Word,
that you had told me that ,years ago ( that I should pray before reading God's Word).
Also men helped the people understand the Word.....yes we have to Holy Spirit to help us understand, but we can also have pastors, preachers, teachers etc. who give us commentaries, sermons etc. to help us understand.
And some of the people may have had a different language etc.
The people responded with tears...with great sorrow at their sins.
This sort of reminds me of our talking about sadness, grief and depression...
because, it true, that sin has consequences, God does punish sin....
However, God also made a way for our sins to be paid in full,
and tho we may grieve for a time over our sins,
we cannot neglect to be grateful and joy filled, most of our days because of what Jesus has done for us!!
And in this case, they tell the people not to mourn any more either.
Our sense of our sin, should not be greater than of God.....
otherwise we are worshiping self
( even tho it may seem like we are being sooo holy.....looking at what great sinners we are....
it is 'self' centered and not God centered).
instead as Ezra said:
"for the joy of the Lord is your strength"....
There is that word 'JOY' which I sometimes forget!!!!!!
We are not to trust and wallow in our emotions and feelings.....tho it seems, it is almost ingrained in us, because as sinners... we are 'self' centered,
but our feelings lie....
we believe 'them',
and think we have no control over them....
But...
we do have control
and they are not to rule us.
well, there was not just one day of studying the Word of the Lord,
but it continued daily...as it ought to for us.
and then the Feast of Booths was celebrated.
Yes, most people today don't have the mental faculties needed in order to listen and understand something that's being said to them for more then half an hour. The few who are capable of it, are those who love the Lord and have allowed the Holy Spirit to draw them into His Word and teach them. Those people soon discover that the more they study, the more they want to study, and that half an hour is no where near enough time to be with the Lord in His Word. They're big problem isn't wanting the pastor to stop preaching after a meagerly half hour, but wanting him to continue after a couple of hours! For those people, finding others who love the Lord and His Word and want to talk about it is a huge challenge because people like that are few and far between. Sometimes I feel like a starving person who's desperately searching for something, anything to eat, but without much luck.
Funny, you should ask that about surviving a one hour sermon, but the church I used to go to was great that way! Sunday school for adults and kids started at 9am till 10am. At 10:15 church started, and didn't get out until 12:00 to 12:15. Why two hours? Because the sermon always lasted for at least one hour, and often longer; prayer also lasted longer then most other churches as did worship time. I know I've shared this before, but one Sunday, at 12:30 the Pastor announced that the Holy Spirit seemed to want to continue with the sermon, but to be fair, he would release anyone that needed to leave now and wanted to let others know they could leave any time the Spirit led them to, but for once we were going to let the Holy Spirit dictate what we did and how long we did it! Only a couple of people left. The pastor went on preaching for another hour and it was awesome! (imagine a sermon that's over 2 hours long!) We sang, we prayed and we listened and learned. It was the most amazing day of worship I've ever attended. It didn't even start to wind down until 2pm . I had to leave at 2:30 (I think I had to pick up one of the kids somewhere or something like that). I found out the following Sunday that the service finally ended when the last people left at 3pm.  
It's always good to ask the Lord to guide you in His Word each day.
Let me share what Wiersbe says about this chapter with you as it's so good and important:
“The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:7–8)
He read and explained the Book (Neh. 8:7–8). The common people didn’t own copies of the Scriptures, so they were thrilled to hear the Word of God. The words "clear and giving the meaning" in verse 8 means that the Law was explained to the people in a language they could understand. The Word was translated and expounded in such a way that the people were able to apply it to their own lives. The Hebrew language would have undergone some changes since the days when Moses wrote the Pentateuch, and the everyday conversational Hebrew of the people would be different in some ways from ancient Hebrew. We need new translations of the Bible, not because the Bible changes, but because our language changes.
Suppose you had to use John Wycliffe’s Version of the Bible, the oldest version in English. How much of this passage would you understand if you did not already know it from another version?
alle ye that traueilen & ben chargid come to me & I schal fulfille you. take ye my yok on you & lerne ye of me for I am mylde and meke in herte: and ye schulen finde rest to youre soulis/ for my yok is softe & my charge liyt. (It's Matthew 11:28–30)
Wycliffe’s translation goes back about 600 years (1382); but between Moses’ writing of the Law and Ezra’s reading of the Law, a thousand years had elapsed! The Levites assisted Ezra in teaching the Law (Nehemiah 8:7), for this was one of their God-given ministries (Deut. 33:10; Mal. 2:7). They probably mingled with the people and, when there was a break in the reading, answered questions and told them how to apply the Law to their own lives. Here we have a balance between the public proclamation of the Word in the large assembly and the personal application in the smaller groups. Both are important.
As Ezra read and explained the Word, the assembly’s first response was one of conviction and grief. They mourned over their sins, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). The law can’t save us; it can only convince us that we need to be saved and then point us to Jesus Christ the Savior (Gal. 3:24). The Jews had just observed the annual Day of Atonement, and the Lord had dealt with their sins (Lev. 16); so they should have been rejoicing in His forgiveness. On the Jewish calendar, the Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) follows the Day of Atonement, giving God’s people an entire week of happy celebration (23:26–44). The sequence is important: first conviction, then cleansing, and then celebration.
The Word of God brings conviction and leads to repentance, but it also brings us joy; for the same Word that wounds also heals. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name” (Jer. 15:16, NKJV). “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart” (Ps. 19:8). “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (119:111, NKJV).
Assisted by the Levites, Nehemiah convinced the people to stop mourning and start celebrating. It is as wrong to mourn when God has forgiven us as it is to rejoice when sin has conquered us. The sinner has no reason for rejoicing and the forgiven child of God has no reason for mourning (Matt. 9:9–17). Yes, as God’s children we carry burdens and know what it is to weep (Neh. 2:1–2); but we also experience power that transforms sorrow into joy.
The secret of Christian joy is to believe what God says in His Word and act upon it. Faith that isn’t based on the Word is not faith at all; it is presumption or superstition. Joy that isn’t the result of faith is not joy at all; it is only a “good feeling” that will soon disappear. Faith based on the Word will produce joy that will weather the storms of life.
It isn’t enough for us to read the Word or receive the Word as others expound it; we must also rejoice in the Word. “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Ps. 119:162, NKJV). In Bible days, people sometimes hid their wealth in jars buried in the ground (Matt. 13:44; Jer. 41:8). If a farmer plowing his field suddenly discovered a jar filled with gold, he would certainly rejoice. There are great treasures buried in God’s Word, and you and I must diligently “dig” for them as we read, meditate, and pray; and when we find these treasures, we should rejoice and give thanks.
If we read and study the Word of God only from a sense of duty, then its treasures may never be revealed to us. It is the believer who rejoices in the Word, who delights to read and study it day by day, who will find God’s hidden treasures. “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands” (Psalm 112:1, NIV). “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2, NKJV).
Do you delight in God’s Word? Would you rather have God’s Word than food (Psalm 119:103; Luke 10:38–42), or sleep (Psalm 119:55, Psalm 119:62, Psalm 119:147–148), or wealth? (Psalm 119:14, Psalm 119:72, Psalm 119:137, Psalm 119:162) If you delight in His Word, God will delight in you and share His best blessings with you.
Obligation and appreciation are certainly strong motives for serving the Lord, but celebration is even stronger. When we obey the Lord and serve Him because we rejoice in Him, then our service will be a delight and not a drudgery. To the believer without joy, the will of God is punishment; but to the believer happy in the Lord, the will of God is nourishment (John 4:34). The Jews still had work to do in their city, and they needed the joy of the Lord to give them the strength to do it.
During the seven days of the feast, the Jews lived in booths made of branches and usually built on the flat roofs of their houses. It was a time for looking back and remembering the nation’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness, when the people were homeless and lived in temporary shelters. But the feast was also a time for looking around at the harvest blessings from the hand of God. The Lord had given them a good land, and they were never to forget the Giver as they enjoyed the gifts (Deut. 8). The Feast of Tabernacles was also an occasion for looking ahead to the glorious kingdom God promised His people Israel (Zech. 14:4, 9, 16–20). It was a week-long festival of joyful praise and thanksgiving, focusing on the goodness of the Lord.
But the celebrating of the feast was not for enjoyment alone; it was also for enrichment and encouragement. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). The world’s joy is temporary and artificial; and when the joy is gone, people are left with even greater weakness and emptiness. But the joy that comes from the Lord is real and lasting and enriches our lives. God doesn’t give us joy instead of sorrow, or joy in spite of sorrow, but joy in the midst of sorrow. It is not substitution but transformation.
Jesus illustrated this truth by the birth of a baby (John 16:20–22). The same baby that gives the mother pain also gives the mother joy! Her pain is not replaced by joy but transformed into joy. The difficult circumstances of life are “pregnant” with joy, and by faith we must give that joy time to be born.
Ezra continued the “Bible conference” during the entire week of the feast, day by day reading and explaining the Word of God. The combination of joyful fellowship, feasting, and hearing the Word must have strengthened the people greatly. Then the week concluded with a solemn assembly (Num. 29:35), after which the people returned to their regular daily schedules.
Did the blessings of the celebration last? Yes, for a time; but then the people became careless again, and the leaders had to bring them back to the Word of God. But the failure of the people is not an argument against special times of Bible study or celebration. Someone asked evangelist Billy Sunday if revivals lasted, and he replied, “No, neither does a bath; but it’s good to have one occasionally!” Be Determined.
Quoting what you said Barbra, how true I have found that to be and I am still noticing it in my life and learning what is proper to do, it took me time to come to that understanding with the help of the Lord, what you have said and worded well.
We are not to trust and wallow in our emotions and feelings.....tho it seems, it is almost ingrained in us, because as sinners... we are 'self' centered, but our feelings lie... we believe 'them', and think we have no control over them, But...we do have control and they are not to rule us.
Chapter 8
The people asked Ezra to read from the law of Moses. He read from the book from morning to midday. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Then the people were told to go their way back to their homes, they were told that the day was holy unto the Lord and that the Lord is their strength.
There are many scriptures in both the OT and NT in the Bible saying that the Lord is a person's strength.
In the feast of the seventh month the people made booths from branches, these booths were on the roofs of the houses as the house roofs were flat and they sat under the booths and they felt glad, for they had found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month. Day by day Ezra read the book of the law of Mosses and the people listened and were in solemn assembly. Nehemiah chapter 7
The wall was built and doors in place also and the porters and singers and the Levites were appointed. Hanani and Hananiah were given rule of the palace, charge over Jerusalem, they were a good choice because they were faithful and God fearing. There were people appointed to watch who came in through the door and the then the door was closed. Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls.
Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must be to him.
I was given a scripture from a good sister Maylen today and I want to put the scripture here. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Nehemiah put together a list of the nobles, rulers and people so it could be known their genealogy.
So much of this book, and this chapter is relevant to us today. It's amazing what we can learn from this. All through the Bible we're taught that if we fear God we have no reason to fear anything or anyone else, but if we don't fear God, then we will fear everything and everyone else. So leaders they picked we those who feared God "even more then most other people did", which made them an excellent choice. Have you noticed that while God is the one who does the work through us, He still insists that we must agree to allow Him to work through us. We must say Yes, before He will do what needs doing. Sadly too many of us are afraid to say yes, and instead at best say, "maybe" or "I'll try" as though it all depended on them. When in fact, the only thing that depends on them is that they say "yes!" Another thing that's true about those who fear the Lord is that they will always be faithful to Him, but those who don't really fear God will waver in their faith and won't always be faithful. How we react when we're threatened will show us who we really fear - other people or God. Whichever one we fear more is the one we'll be faithful to.
By the way, I know none of us wants to be made fun of or persecuted, or hurt in any way, not for our faith or anything else. That would be silly. People who truly fear God don't want to be harmed any more then anyone else does. I guess the difference is that when it becomes obvious that this is what is going to happen (or is in fact happening at that very moment) that those who fear God will ultimately accept it as part of their job description. But they're not going to enjoy it and will be praying against it and asking God to help them and save them just the same as anyone else. The only difference I can see between someone who fears God and someone who fears people, is that the one who fears people more then God will soon tell those who are harming them that they agree with them and that they don't agree with those Christians. While the one who fears God will either stay silent or simply say they agree with what the Bible says or something like that. They won't give God up in order to not lose their job , or not be hurt etc.
I want to quote something Wiersbe says about Nehemiah 7:2, as it relates to today:
The power of leadership appears to be declining everywhere. More and more of the men we see coming to the top seem to be merely drifting. Dr. Ted Engstrom, wrote, “We see the tragedy of weak men in important places—little men in big jobs” . Walter Landor wrote, “When little men cast long shadows, it is a sign that the sun is setting.” An ominous statement, indeed! Be Determined.
I've noticed this pretty much all of my life, only it's gotten worse the older I've gotten. At first I noticed it most at Chruch. When I was a little girl, I noticed there were many families that went to church together - the father, mother and the children. The older I got though, the fewer and fewer fathers and husbands went with their families to church. And now the congregations are mostly made up of women and children. I remember reading a report in the last couple of years that men make up less then 20% of most congregations.
Why is the number of men attending church important, besides the obvious reasons? If a man isn't saved, they can't make best decisions for themselves, for their families, and much less for the country. (1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 4:18–19, Jude 19, Proverbs 28:5, Romans 1:18, Romans 1:28–32, Romans 8:5–9) Obviously too, just because a man goes to church doesn't mean that he's saved, so I don't mean to imply that.
I've also noticed for many many years that there are fewer and fewer men filling the role that God ordained for them of being the head of their home. Men have become weaker and weaker in their faith and in how they lead their families, organizations or the country.
So today most men aren't saved, and therefore don't have any spiritual understanding of what's going on in their own life, or in the world; most men make decisions based on their feelings and their desires, which come from hearts that are corrupted, causing them to sin, and bring the consequences of their sins on themselves and their families; and if they are part of the government, then their sin also affects the entire country! We see how this has and is happening in Europe and the consequences they've had from weak, unsaved, little men, filling jobs that required strong, God fearing men who aren't afraid to lead. We're seeing it too in our own country, which of course is very scary for us. We need to stop putting our faith in any human being, whether it's who we think is best for the presidency, governor, or whatever, and instead put our faith in God, knowing that He is in control and that what His Word says will happen, is what is happening and what is going to happen. We need to be praying that our men will get saved and become God fearing men who will stand firm for the Lord and His Word, and who will stand firm for their wife and children and be the leader that every family needs. That the Holy Spirit will lead our pastors and speak through them, touching the hearts of the men and women and children and making their faith strong and sure. That God will grow us all up in our faith.
A christian life is purposed,for the time they live in on the earth. Wanting to believe Christians are purposed to be here, but do they actually believe that, yet they are drawn to the teaching of the Lord. We have contended with Satan who has tried to discourage us from seeing the good scriptures coming true in our lives. Many people have a struggle to not fail, in their mind they are fighting continually, trying to believe a scripture for their life when all of a sudden they feel like they don't deserve it, taking inventory of their life thinking, I don't deserve that from the Lord, the Lord probably won't bless me, I think the Lord barely accepts me, I am not as good as everyone else. People do this because they are aware, or maybe not yet aware, of a few things that they will not confess. We all need to be refined and don't want to stand before the Lord and hear the Lord say, depart from me I never knew you. If a person is trying to escape the world by running to Christ, they are running away from what they have associated themselves with. It is time to be healed from that, to know longer believe the lying tongue of the devil. Fearfully and wonderfully made we are each one of a kind, we don't have a copy. |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 29, 2019 11:53:47 GMT -5
Nehemiah 9: 1-38
The people humbled themselves and confessed their sins.
then comes a prayer...
some times I wonder how I can praise God....
Well.....here we go!!!
It starts with praising God for Creation.
For His deliverance and protection.
For His compassion, mercy, patience, and goodness....even with continual sins.
They grow fat and turn from God, He brings correction, they repent and the cycle continues.
He blesses them ( and me)
it's kind of amazing that tho God had taken them out of slavery they wanted to return to it.
Even tho they lacked nothing in the desert!!
God even provided them with human 'saviors' ( in their history).
Nevertheless, they did evil and would not obey.
However He was a 'great , 'mighty' and 'awesome God...."steadfast in love"
He also gave them warnings.
And one way or the other....they, as are we...are indeed 'slaves'....either to righteousness or to satan and sin.
But then they make a covenant with God.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 29, 2019 20:21:02 GMT -5
chapter 9
The children of Israel assembled together with fasting and they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth part of the day and another fourth part they confessed their sins and prayed and worshiped. Here Ezra says a beautiful prayer to the Lord. Glad his prayer is written to be able to read. The prayer acknowledging the promise made to Abraham, and the bringing in of the people to Canaan by this promise, and their failure, they place themselves again under the obligations of the law, while confessing the goodness of God who had spared them. They continued to be subject to a Gentile king, in all matters concerning the people.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Aug 30, 2019 9:48:22 GMT -5
Did sleep much last night, and not feeling great today but have to babysit so this may be short and sweet but I did read and study.
Nehemiah 10: 1-39
The People Who Sealed the Covenant
First is a listing of who signed the covenant ( 84)
Starting with Nehemiah and then the priests and Levites.
John MacArthur pointed out something I missed and that was that Ezra's was not listed...odd.
The Obligations of the Covenant
The rest of the people entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, in other words they agreed to accept a curse from God if they did not obey His law.
Since parents controlled marriages back then they said they would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons .
This is still important today....not to marry an unbeliever.
They also agree not to buy or sell on the Sabbath.
And not to neglect God's house or priests etc.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 30, 2019 10:47:56 GMT -5
sorry, Bruce just came home early from work because his back is hurting something awful. I need to call the doctor and help him. I'll try to come in tomorrow.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Aug 30, 2019 13:08:21 GMT -5
chapter 10
The children of Israel were servants in the land that God had given unto their fathers, for that reason they signed a covenant, they wrote the covenant and sealed it. They proposed to keep the promise of Ezra's prayer.
In the ceremony of the Law they did bind themselves by covenant.
Wherever they labored or worked, there the tithes were due to the Lord both by the law, and according to the oath and covenant that they made. The children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers and they will not forsake the house of their God.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 31, 2019 9:48:40 GMT -5
Cindy: I wondered if perhaps you had had a set back...I am so sorry to hear that! I will of course continue to pray for you.
Nehemiah 8: 1-18
Ezra Reads the Law
What is interesting is that the people asked Nehemiah to read the Word of God.
It seems hard for me to imagine people doing that today.
In fact Ezra read for 6 hours.......
and.....
the people stood up the whole time!!
I truly think there are people who are put out if the pastor goes over his 'allotted' 1/2 an hour sermon by 5 minutes!!
After all, the football game is on, or they are going out to eat, or any number of things!!
It's laughable, but not in a happy kind of way, how would they do if they also had to stand ( as in the very presence of God) for 6 hours.....
granted people back then were probably more used to hard labor, and standing
many people today, are not, in our sit down computer world....
so even IF we did not stand,
( and no.... I probably could not stand that long either,
if I tried I might be so focused on the pain,
I would not be focused on God's Word....unless He did a miracle for me)
Still....could we survive a one hour sermon, sitting down...with a cup of coffee and snacks provided by the church?
I was reminded, by the fact that Ezra prayed first, before, reading the Word,
that you had told me that ,years ago ( that I should pray before reading God's Word).
Also men helped the people understand the Word.....yes we have to Holy Spirit to help us understand, but we can also have pastors, preachers, teachers etc. who give us commentaries, sermons etc. to help us understand.
And some of the people may have had a different language etc.
The people responded with tears...with great sorrow at their sins.
This sort of reminds me of our talking about sadness, grief and depression...
because, it true, that sin has consequences, God does punish sin....
However, God also made a way for our sins to be paid in full,
and tho we may grieve for a time over our sins,
we cannot neglect to be grateful and joy filled, most of our days because of what Jesus has done for us!!
And in this case, they tell the people not to mourn any more either.
Our sense of our sin, should not be greater than of God.....
otherwise we are worshiping self
( even tho it may seem like we are being sooo holy.....looking at what great sinners we are....
it is 'self' centered and not God centered).
instead as Ezra said:
"for the joy of the Lord is your strength"....
There is that word 'JOY' which I sometimes forget!!!!!!
We are not to trust and wallow in our emotions and feelings.....tho it seems, it is almost ingrained in us, because as sinners... we are 'self' centered,
but our feelings lie....
we believe 'them',
and think we have no control over them....
But...
we do have control
and they are not to rule us.
well, there was not just one day of studying the Word of the Lord,
but it continued daily...as it ought to for us.
and then the Feast of Booths was celebrated.
Yes, most people today don't have the mental faculties needed in order to listen and understand something that's being said to them for more then half an hour. The few who are capable of it, are those who love the Lord and have allowed the Holy Spirit to draw them into His Word and teach them. Those people soon discover that the more they study, the more they want to study, and that half an hour is no where near enough time to be with the Lord in His Word. They're big problem isn't wanting the pastor to stop preaching after a meagerly half hour, but wanting him to continue after a couple of hours! For those people, finding others who love the Lord and His Word and want to talk about it is a huge challenge because people like that are few and far between. Sometimes I feel like a starving person who's desperately searching for something, anything to eat, but without much luck.
Funny, you should ask that about surviving a one hour sermon, but the church I used to go to was great that way! Sunday school for adults and kids started at 9am till 10am. At 10:15 church started, and didn't get out until 12:00 to 12:15. Why two hours? Because the sermon always lasted for at least one hour, and often longer; prayer also lasted longer then most other churches as did worship time. I know I've shared this before, but one Sunday, at 12:30 the Pastor announced that the Holy Spirit seemed to want to continue with the sermon, but to be fair, he would release anyone that needed to leave now and wanted to let others know they could leave any time the Spirit led them to, but for once we were going to let the Holy Spirit dictate what we did and how long we did it! Only a couple of people left. The pastor went on preaching for another hour and it was awesome! (imagine a sermon that's over 2 hours long!) We sang, we prayed and we listened and learned. It was the most amazing day of worship I've ever attended. It didn't even start to wind down until 2pm . I had to leave at 2:30 (I think I had to pick up one of the kids somewhere or something like that). I found out the following Sunday that the service finally ended when the last people left at 3pm.
It's always good to ask the Lord to guide you in His Word each day.
Let me share what Wiersbe says about this chapter with you as it's so good and important:
“The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:7–8)
He read and explained the Book (Neh. 8:7–8). The common people didn’t own copies of the Scriptures, so they were thrilled to hear the Word of God. The words "clear and giving the meaning" in verse 8 means that the Law was explained to the people in a language they could understand. The Word was translated and expounded in such a way that the people were able to apply it to their own lives. The Hebrew language would have undergone some changes since the days when Moses wrote the Pentateuch, and the everyday conversational Hebrew of the people would be different in some ways from ancient Hebrew. We need new translations of the Bible, not because the Bible changes, but because our language changes.
Suppose you had to use John Wycliffe’s Version of the Bible, the oldest version in English. How much of this passage would you understand if you did not already know it from another version? alle ye that traueilen & ben chargid come to me & I schal fulfille you. take ye my yok on you & lerne ye of me for I am mylde and meke in herte: and ye schulen finde rest to youre soulis/ for my yok is softe & my charge liyt. (It's Matthew 11:28–30) Wycliffe’s translation goes back about 600 years (1382); but between Moses’ writing of the Law and Ezra’s reading of the Law, a thousand years had elapsed! The Levites assisted Ezra in teaching the Law (Nehemiah 8:7), for this was one of their God-given ministries (Deut. 33:10; Mal. 2:7). They probably mingled with the people and, when there was a break in the reading, answered questions and told them how to apply the Law to their own lives. Here we have a balance between the public proclamation of the Word in the large assembly and the personal application in the smaller groups. Both are important.
As Ezra read and explained the Word, the assembly’s first response was one of conviction and grief. They mourned over their sins, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). The law can’t save us; it can only convince us that we need to be saved and then point us to Jesus Christ the Savior (Gal. 3:24). The Jews had just observed the annual Day of Atonement, and the Lord had dealt with their sins (Lev. 16); so they should have been rejoicing in His forgiveness. On the Jewish calendar, the Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) follows the Day of Atonement, giving God’s people an entire week of happy celebration (23:26–44). The sequence is important: first conviction, then cleansing, and then celebration.
The Word of God brings conviction and leads to repentance, but it also brings us joy; for the same Word that wounds also heals. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name” (Jer. 15:16, NKJV). “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart” (Ps. 19:8). “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (119:111, NKJV).
Assisted by the Levites, Nehemiah convinced the people to stop mourning and start celebrating. It is as wrong to mourn when God has forgiven us as it is to rejoice when sin has conquered us. The sinner has no reason for rejoicing and the forgiven child of God has no reason for mourning (Matt. 9:9–17). Yes, as God’s children we carry burdens and know what it is to weep (Neh. 2:1–2); but we also experience power that transforms sorrow into joy.
The secret of Christian joy is to believe what God says in His Word and act upon it. Faith that isn’t based on the Word is not faith at all; it is presumption or superstition. Joy that isn’t the result of faith is not joy at all; it is only a “good feeling” that will soon disappear. Faith based on the Word will produce joy that will weather the storms of life.
It isn’t enough for us to read the Word or receive the Word as others expound it; we must also rejoice in the Word. “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Ps. 119:162, NKJV). In Bible days, people sometimes hid their wealth in jars buried in the ground (Matt. 13:44; Jer. 41:8). If a farmer plowing his field suddenly discovered a jar filled with gold, he would certainly rejoice. There are great treasures buried in God’s Word, and you and I must diligently “dig” for them as we read, meditate, and pray; and when we find these treasures, we should rejoice and give thanks.
If we read and study the Word of God only from a sense of duty, then its treasures may never be revealed to us. It is the believer who rejoices in the Word, who delights to read and study it day by day, who will find God’s hidden treasures. “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands” (Psalm 112:1, NIV). “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2, NKJV).
Do you delight in God’s Word? Would you rather have God’s Word than food (Psalm 119:103; Luke 10:38–42), or sleep (Psalm 119:55, Psalm 119:62, Psalm 119:147–148), or wealth? (Psalm 119:14, Psalm 119:72, Psalm 119:137, Psalm 119:162) If you delight in His Word, God will delight in you and share His best blessings with you.
Obligation and appreciation are certainly strong motives for serving the Lord, but celebration is even stronger. When we obey the Lord and serve Him because we rejoice in Him, then our service will be a delight and not a drudgery. To the believer without joy, the will of God is punishment; but to the believer happy in the Lord, the will of God is nourishment (John 4:34). The Jews still had work to do in their city, and they needed the joy of the Lord to give them the strength to do it.
During the seven days of the feast, the Jews lived in booths made of branches and usually built on the flat roofs of their houses. It was a time for looking back and remembering the nation’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness, when the people were homeless and lived in temporary shelters. But the feast was also a time for looking around at the harvest blessings from the hand of God. The Lord had given them a good land, and they were never to forget the Giver as they enjoyed the gifts (Deut. 8). The Feast of Tabernacles was also an occasion for looking ahead to the glorious kingdom God promised His people Israel (Zech. 14:4, 9, 16–20). It was a week-long festival of joyful praise and thanksgiving, focusing on the goodness of the Lord.
But the celebrating of the feast was not for enjoyment alone; it was also for enrichment and encouragement. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). The world’s joy is temporary and artificial; and when the joy is gone, people are left with even greater weakness and emptiness. But the joy that comes from the Lord is real and lasting and enriches our lives. God doesn’t give us joy instead of sorrow, or joy in spite of sorrow, but joy in the midst of sorrow. It is not substitution but transformation.
Jesus illustrated this truth by the birth of a baby (John 16:20–22). The same baby that gives the mother pain also gives the mother joy! Her pain is not replaced by joy but transformed into joy. The difficult circumstances of life are “pregnant” with joy, and by faith we must give that joy time to be born.
Ezra continued the “Bible conference” during the entire week of the feast, day by day reading and explaining the Word of God. The combination of joyful fellowship, feasting, and hearing the Word must have strengthened the people greatly. Then the week concluded with a solemn assembly (Num. 29:35), after which the people returned to their regular daily schedules.
Did the blessings of the celebration last? Yes, for a time; but then the people became careless again, and the leaders had to bring them back to the Word of God. But the failure of the people is not an argument against special times of Bible study or celebration. Someone asked evangelist Billy Sunday if revivals lasted, and he replied, “No, neither does a bath; but it’s good to have one occasionally!” Be Determined.
Quoting what you said Barbra, how true I have found that to be and I am still noticing it in my life and learning what is proper to do, it took me time to come to that understanding with the help of the Lord, what you have said and worded well.
We are not to trust and wallow in our emotions and feelings.....tho it seems, it is almost ingrained in us, because as sinners... we are 'self' centered, but our feelings lie... we believe 'them', and think we have no control over them, But...we do have control and they are not to rule us.
Chapter 8
The people asked Ezra to read from the law of Moses. He read from the book from morning to midday. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Then the people were told to go their way back to their homes, they were told that the day was holy unto the Lord and that the Lord is their strength.
There are many scriptures in both the OT and NT in the Bible saying that the Lord is a person's strength.
In the feast of the seventh month the people made booths from branches, these booths were on the roofs of the houses as the house roofs were flat and they sat under the booths and they felt glad, for they had found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month. Day by day Ezra read the book of the law of Mosses and the people listened and were in solemn assembly. Nice! Love the scripture too!
So much of this book, and this chapter is relevant to us today. It's amazing what we can learn from this. All through the Bible we're taught that if we fear God we have no reason to fear anything or anyone else, but if we don't fear God, then we will fear everything and everyone else. So leaders they picked we those who feared God "even more then most other people did", which made them an excellent choice. Have you noticed that while God is the one who does the work through us, He still insists that we must agree to allow Him to work through us. We must say Yes, before He will do what needs doing. Sadly too many of us are afraid to say yes, and instead at best say, "maybe" or "I'll try" as though it all depended on them. When in fact, the only thing that depends on them is that they say "yes!" Another thing that's true about those who fear the Lord is that they will always be faithful to Him, but those who don't really fear God will waver in their faith and won't always be faithful. How we react when we're threatened will show us who we really fear - other people or God. Whichever one we fear more is the one we'll be faithful to.
By the way, I know none of us wants to be made fun of or persecuted, or hurt in any way, not for our faith or anything else. That would be silly. People who truly fear God don't want to be harmed any more then anyone else does. I guess the difference is that when it becomes obvious that this is what is going to happen (or is in fact happening at that very moment) that those who fear God will ultimately accept it as part of their job description. But they're not going to enjoy it and will be praying against it and asking God to help them and save them just the same as anyone else. The only difference I can see between someone who fears God and someone who fears people, is that the one who fears people more then God will soon tell those who are harming them that they agree with them and that they don't agree with those Christians. While the one who fears God will either stay silent or simply say they agree with what the Bible says or something like that. They won't give God up in order to not lose their job , or not be hurt etc.
I want to quote something Wiersbe says about Nehemiah 7:2, as it relates to today:
The power of leadership appears to be declining everywhere. More and more of the men we see coming to the top seem to be merely drifting. Dr. Ted Engstrom, wrote, “We see the tragedy of weak men in important places—little men in big jobs” . Walter Landor wrote, “When little men cast long shadows, it is a sign that the sun is setting.” An ominous statement, indeed! Be Determined.
I've noticed this pretty much all of my life, only it's gotten worse the older I've gotten. At first I noticed it most at Chruch. When I was a little girl, I noticed there were many families that went to church together - the father, mother and the children. The older I got though, the fewer and fewer fathers and husbands went with their families to church. And now the congregations are mostly made up of women and children. I remember reading a report in the last couple of years that men make up less then 20% of most congregations.
Why is the number of men attending church important, besides the obvious reasons? If a man isn't saved, they can't make best decisions for themselves, for their families, and much less for the country. (1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 4:18–19, Jude 19, Proverbs 28:5, Romans 1:18, Romans 1:28–32, Romans 8:5–9) Obviously too, just because a man goes to church doesn't mean that he's saved, so I don't mean to imply that.
I've also noticed for many many years that there are fewer and fewer men filling the role that God ordained for them of being the head of their home. Men have become weaker and weaker in their faith and in how they lead their families, organizations or the country.
So today most men aren't saved, and therefore don't have any spiritual understanding of what's going on in their own life, or in the world; most men make decisions based on their feelings and their desires, which come from hearts that are corrupted, causing them to sin, and bring the consequences of their sins on themselves and their families; and if they are part of the government, then their sin also affects the entire country! We see how this has and is happening in Europe and the consequences they've had from weak, unsaved, little men, filling jobs that required strong, God fearing men who aren't afraid to lead. We're seeing it too in our own country, which of course is very scary for us. We need to stop putting our faith in any human being, whether it's who we think is best for the presidency, governor, or whatever, and instead put our faith in God, knowing that He is in control and that what His Word says will happen, is what is happening and what is going to happen. We need to be praying that our men will get saved and become God fearing men who will stand firm for the Lord and His Word, and who will stand firm for their wife and children and be the leader that every family needs. That the Holy Spirit will lead our pastors and speak through them, touching the hearts of the men and women and children and making their faith strong and sure. That God will grow us all up in our faith.
A christian life is purposed,for the time they live in on the earth. Wanting to believe Christians are purposed to be here, but do they actually believe that, yet they are drawn to the teaching of the Lord. We have contended with Satan who has tried to discourage us from seeing the good scriptures coming true in our lives. Many people have a struggle to not fail, in their mind they are fighting continually, trying to believe a scripture for their life when all of a sudden they feel like they don't deserve it, taking inventory of their life thinking, I don't deserve that from the Lord, the Lord probably won't bless me, I think the Lord barely accepts me, I am not as good as everyone else. People do this because they are aware, or maybe not yet aware, of a few things that they will not confess. We all need to be refined and don't want to stand before the Lord and hear the Lord say, depart from me I never knew you. If a person is trying to escape the world by running to Christ, they are running away from what they have associated themselves with. It is time to be healed from that, to know longer believe the lying tongue of the devil. Fearfully and wonderfully made we are each one of a kind, we don't have a copy.
Nehemiah 9: 1-38
The people humbled themselves and confessed their sins.
then comes a prayer...
some times I wonder how I can praise God....
Well.....here we go!!!
It starts with praising God for Creation.
For His deliverance and protection.
For His compassion, mercy, patience, and goodness....even with continual sins.
They grow fat and turn from God, He brings correction, they repent and the cycle continues.
He blesses them ( and me)
it's kind of amazing that tho God had taken them out of slavery they wanted to return to it.
Even tho they lacked nothing in the desert!!
God even provided them with human 'saviors' ( in their history).
Nevertheless, they did evil and would not obey.
However He was a 'great , 'mighty' and 'awesome God...."steadfast in love"
He also gave them warnings.
And one way or the other....they, as are we...are indeed 'slaves'....either to righteousness or to satan and sin.
But then they make a covenant with God.
Verse 2 speaks again about separating themselves from foreign wives. It was needed because the last time, when Ezra told them to do this (Ezra 10) it had only been partially successful. Many had escaped the required action of divorce and kept their pagan wives. Perhaps new defaulters had appeared also, and were confronted for the first time with this necessary action of divorce. Nehemiah’s efforts were successful in removing this evil mixture. The MacArthur study Bible
chapter 9
The children of Israel assembled together with fasting and they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth part of the day and another fourth part they confessed their sins and prayed and worshiped. Here Ezra says a beautiful prayer to the Lord. Glad his prayer is written to be able to read. The prayer acknowledging the promise made to Abraham, and the bringing in of the people to Canaan by this promise, and their failure, they place themselves again under the obligations of the law, while confessing the goodness of God who had spared them. They continued to be subject to a Gentile king, in all matters concerning the people.
Did sleep much last night, and not feeling great today but have to babysit so this may be short and sweet but I did read and study.
Nehemiah 10: 1-39
The People Who Sealed the Covenant
First is a listing of who signed the covenant ( 84)
Starting with Nehemiah and then the priests and Levites.
John MacArthur pointed out something I missed and that was that Ezra's was not listed...odd.
The Obligations of the Covenant
The rest of the people entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, in other words they agreed to accept a curse from God if they did not obey His law.
Since parents controlled marriages back then they said they would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons .
This is still important today....not to marry an unbeliever.
They also agree not to buy or sell on the Sabbath.
And not to neglect God's house or priests etc.
chapter 10
The children of Israel were servants in the land that God had given unto their fathers, for that reason they signed a covenant, they wrote the covenant and sealed it. They proposed to keep the promise of Ezra's prayer.
In the ceremony of the Law they did bind themselves by covenant.
Wherever they labored or worked, there the tithes were due to the Lord both by the law, and according to the oath and covenant that they made. The children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers and they will not forsake the house of their God. |
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I loved your reply Barbara! I'd like to address what you said about Martin Luther though, as you may run up against this some time when you're counseling others. People will often point to some well known pastor in the past that may have struggled with the same thing they struggle with, as though that makes it ok....like it vindicates them or something. But that's not at all the case. For one thing, we only have hear say about pastors back then who may or may not have had such a problem. It's not fair to them or us to say that they definitely did or didn't have such a problem; really is slander and gossip since they can't defend themselves. But, let's say that they did have a problem with depression. Do we know when the problem began and what their attitude toward God and His Word was at that time? Do we know if and when they stopped being depressed (or whatever other issue is being discussed) and what their attitude and knowledge of God was when that happened? We also need to take into consideration what the pastor was dealing with. In the case of Luther, he was trying to get the church to reform. It wasn't in his mind at all to separate from the catholic church, he just wanted the pope and those higher ups to confess, and repent and bring the teaching of the church back into the truth of God's Word. And thereby lies the crux of the issue, especially of depression: Prior to this, Luther, like everyone else simply accepted what they were being taught that the Bible said. They didn't question it. But when he started questioning it, and studying it for himself, a whole new world opened up to him! (just as it does for us!) He learned what causes depression, and how to deal with depression; which he applied to his life along with the other things he learned. I seriously doubt if he had any problems with it after that. (other then the problem of Satan continuing to try and derail him and make him think he was depressed, but he knew better by then.
That's exactly true! Couldn't say it better myself lol. It's ok to have the thought, but we are not to allow ourselves to wallow in it. For example, say a loved one died and you're feeling sad and missing them; you have the natural thought that you don't want to live without them. That's a perfectly normal and natural thought in that kind of situation and it's ok to think it. What's not ok is to think it and then take it further and really focus on the part of the thought that says you don't want to live without them, that life without them is meaningless. That's saying so many different bad things about God that I don't even want to go there in pretend. When we do that, we've gone beyond grieving to willfully sinning against the Lord. Basically saying that He's mean and not at all good because He took away our loved one, etc. (and saying a lot more then that too! So you can see why it would be a sin!
I was going to quote each of the replies but then realized it would take forever if I did that, so decided to reply to what you've done so far, this way instead. I'm sorry I didn't get here yesterday, but had a bit of a set back. Still feeling it today, but forcing myself to post anyway. 
