Nehemiah
The Book of Nehemiah is concerned with the last return; the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the repopulation of the city. Similar to the previous missions, this task is met with opposition from the surrounding peoples; the opposition is overcome, and the project ends with a joyful celebration. Following a brief interlude, Nehemiah returns for a second term as governor and carries out a number of reforms. -Mark Throntveit on Enter the Bible
Nehemiah is 13 chapters long. You can break them up however works best for you. This is the recommended break down:
Week 1
March 1-7: Nehemiah 1-5
Monday- Nehemiah 1
Tuesday- Nehemiah 2
Wednesday- Nehemiah 3
Thursday- Nehemiah 4
Friday- Nehemiah 5
Tuesday- Nehemiah 2
Wednesday- Nehemiah 3
Thursday- Nehemiah 4
Friday- Nehemiah 5
Week 2
March 8-14: Nehemiah 6-10
Monday- Nehemiah 6
Tuesday- Nehemiah 7:1-73a
Wednesday- Nehemiah 7: 73b-8:18
Thursday- Nehemiah 9:1-37
Friday- Nehemiah 9:38-10:39
Tuesday- Nehemiah 7:1-73a
Wednesday- Nehemiah 7: 73b-8:18
Thursday- Nehemiah 9:1-37
Friday- Nehemiah 9:38-10:39
Week 3
March 15-21: Nehemiah 11-13
Monday- Nehemiah 11
Tuesday- Nehemiah 12: 1-26
Wednesday- Nehemiah 12:27-43
Thursday- Nehemiah 12:44-13:3
Friday- Nehemiah 13:4-31
Tuesday- Nehemiah 12: 1-26
Wednesday- Nehemiah 12:27-43
Thursday- Nehemiah 12:44-13:3
Friday- Nehemiah 13:4-31
Bonus Week!
March 22-28 on 1 John
Monday- 1 John 1
Tuesday- 1 John 2
Wednesday- 1 John 3
Thursday- 1 John 4
Friday- 1 John 5
Tuesday- 1 John 2
Wednesday- 1 John 3
Thursday- 1 John 4
Friday- 1 John 5
Introduction to Nehemiah
General
Ezra and Nehemiah were originally considered one book and are often read together.
These books are "postexilic" which means that they happen after the Babylonian Exile.
Last month we read Exodus, so here's a quick summary to get us from the end of Exodus to Ezra/Nehemiah:
That is where we are in Nehemiah. It's after the exile - "post-exilic."
Ezra focuses on the restoration of the Temple and the people. Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of the wall and the repopulating of Jerusalem.
These books are "postexilic" which means that they happen after the Babylonian Exile.
Last month we read Exodus, so here's a quick summary to get us from the end of Exodus to Ezra/Nehemiah:
- After their time in the wilderness God grants the people entry into the Promised Land. The people spread out and settle in areas according to their tribe. The people are governed locally by judges.
- Then they ask God for a king. God reluctantly agrees- God wants to be the people's king, but the people want a human king like all the other nations. We have King Saul, then King David, then King Solomon.
- When Solomon dies the people split in two - there is a kingdom in the south called Judah (made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) and a kingdom in the north called Israel (made up of the other 10 tribes). Each kingdom is ruled by it's own king. A few of the kings are good, some are okay, but most of them are bad (you can read all about them in 1 and 2 Kings).
- The Assyrians invade Israel (the northern kingdom) in 722 BCE and exile the people. The people are kicked out of their homes and must leave their land.
- The Babylonians kept trying to take over the southern kingdom. When they occupied a new place Babylonians banned the local people from participating in their local religion. In 586 BCE, Jerusalem is destroyed and the temple is burned. The people, especially the leaders, were deported to Babylon.
- But then in 539 BCE, the NeoBabylonian Empire fell to the Persians under Cyrus the Great. Unlike the Babylonians, the Persians allowed the people to worship their own deities. The people were able to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
That is where we are in Nehemiah. It's after the exile - "post-exilic."
Ezra focuses on the restoration of the Temple and the people. Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of the wall and the repopulating of Jerusalem.
Monday, March 2
Chapter 1
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Tuesday, March 3
Chapter 2
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Wednesday, March 4
Chapter 3
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Thursday, March 5
Chapter 4
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Friday, March 6
Chapter 5
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Resources
Books
Online
Books about Nehemaih
Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther for Everyone (Old Testament for Everyone)
by John Goldingay. Published by IVP Connect.
Nehemiah in The New Interpreter's Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes Volume III by Ralph W. Klein. Published by Abingdon Press.
Books about the Old Testament
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible by John J. Collins. Published by Fortress Press.
A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament by David L. Petersen, Terence E. Fretheim, Bruce C. Birch, and Walter Brueggemann. Published by Abingdon Press.
Books about the Bible
Making Sense of the Bible, Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today by Adam Hamilton. Published by HarperOne.
What Is the Bible and Who Is It For? A Book for Beginners, Skeptics, and Seekers by Emanuel Cleaver III. Published by Wesley's Foundery Books.
Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther for Everyone (Old Testament for Everyone)
by John Goldingay. Published by IVP Connect.
Nehemiah in The New Interpreter's Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes Volume III by Ralph W. Klein. Published by Abingdon Press.
Books about the Old Testament
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible by John J. Collins. Published by Fortress Press.
A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament by David L. Petersen, Terence E. Fretheim, Bruce C. Birch, and Walter Brueggemann. Published by Abingdon Press.
Books about the Bible
Making Sense of the Bible, Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today by Adam Hamilton. Published by HarperOne.
What Is the Bible and Who Is It For? A Book for Beginners, Skeptics, and Seekers by Emanuel Cleaver III. Published by Wesley's Foundery Books.
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again
by Rachel Held Evans. Published by Thomas Nelson.
Enter the Bible resource
Enter the Bible is an excellent, free resource out of Luther Seminary.
It is a website designed to help everyday disciples and spiritual seekers engage Scripture in ways that are thoughtful, accessible, and faithful—with an aim to encourage and strengthen faith in the God revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
Each book of the Bible has its own course.
There are timelines, maps, videos, a glossary, and so much more.
The Mark course is taught by Kristofer Phan Coffman, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary.
Enter the Bible is an excellent, free resource out of Luther Seminary.
It is a website designed to help everyday disciples and spiritual seekers engage Scripture in ways that are thoughtful, accessible, and faithful—with an aim to encourage and strengthen faith in the God revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
Each book of the Bible has its own course.
There are timelines, maps, videos, a glossary, and so much more.
The Mark course is taught by Kristofer Phan Coffman, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary.
Biblical Interpretation for Lay Education Online Course
This is a course on the Absorb Platform, which is a website utilized by the Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for education.
This course introduces the basic principles of biblical interpretation. You'll explore how the Bible came together, methods for interpreting scripture, and helpful tools for biblical interpretation.
It is taught by Mark Statler, a lifelong Missouri Methodist. He currently serves as the Director for Leadership Excellence in the Missouri Conference Office.
This course introduces the basic principles of biblical interpretation. You'll explore how the Bible came together, methods for interpreting scripture, and helpful tools for biblical interpretation.
It is taught by Mark Statler, a lifelong Missouri Methodist. He currently serves as the Director for Leadership Excellence in the Missouri Conference Office.