Expository Commentary on the Book of Nehemiah – Bible Study 2.
Just for your thoughts
Expository Commentary on the Book of Nehemiah
– Bible Study 2.
In this book, we see approximately 12 prayers
(Nehemiah 2:4; 4:4,9; 5:19; 6:9,14; 9:5; 13:14,22,29,31).
Among these, the prayer found in the first chapter reveals a profound spiritual truth for us as believers.
The first verse that captured my attention is this:
“Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.”
(Nehemiah 1:2)
This single verse teaches us a deep spiritual principle:
A believer must have a heart that cares enough to inquire about others.
Even while living in comfort, influence, and honor—serving in a high position close to the king of a great empire—Nehemiah still inquired about his people and the city of God.
I compare this attitude with Moses:
He refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
He chose to share in the suffering of God’s people (Hebrews 11:25).
He considered disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater value than the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26).
In the same way, Nehemiah:
Inquired
Was deeply concerned
Identified the sins of the people as his own
This is what we call a true “Burden for God’s Work.”
When Nehemiah heard about the condition of Jerusalem, he did not respond as if it were mere information.
He sat down and wept, fasted, and prayed.
Though he did not personally experience those sufferings, he felt them deeply.
That burden led him into prayer.
He confessed the sins of the people as his own and pleaded before God.
? A Challenge for Believers
Here is the key lesson we must learn:
We must inquire about the condition of the churches
We must understand the struggles of others
We must feel the burdens of God’s people
This is the first step in a believer’s life.
We may not be able to help everyone,
but we must not fail to care and inquire.
? A heart that does not inquire = spiritual dullness
? A heart that inquires = spiritual vitality
⚠️ A Warning
We should not confine ourselves within the church saying, “I am a believer”
We should not think attending worship once a week is enough
We should not assume giving offerings fulfills our responsibility
Our world is vast.
A Christian’s spiritual world is even greater.
Our family is not small—
it is the great family of God’s people.
✨ Conclusion
Nehemiah:
Inquired
Cared deeply
Prayed
What was the result?
? The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15)out ? Final Thought
If we do not live saying, “my work, my life,”
but instead respond to the burdens God gives us with prayer,
? God will entrust us with the ministry related to that burden.
This is an unchanging truth.
This is a spiritual principle.