the ruminations of aaron eberline

Does God answer prayer? What is true leadership? Is God faithful to fulfill His promises? These are the questions that are answered in the book of Nehemiah? The setting found in the post exilic time for Israel as different groups of refugees escape from Babylon and return home to Israel to the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the cup bearer for king Artaxerxes of Persia, leads one of these groups back.

Have you ever been moved to pray fervently for God’s help and deliverance? Nehemiah hears of the ruined wall and gates of Jerusalem and his spirit becomes downcast. He prays that God would help His people, Israel. When you pray to God do you actually believe that He exists, He hears you and that He is faithful? Did Nehemiah think that God would use him to answer his prayer? Was Nehemiah surprised when Artaxerxes showed concern for his servant? In the moment when some would have been fearful to speak up to the king Nehemiah trusted that God was working in his midst. Read more

What is happening in Nehemiah 11 and 12? You are faced with many names again which may make you want to tune out the details of the text. What is happening in the story of Israel? “And they offered great sacrifices that and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with a great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:43 ESV Why are details given about the priests and Levites? Why was there such joy in Jerusalem? Why list the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel? Read more

These are my thoughts as I reflected upon my reading in Nehemiah with more questions presented than answers found. Nehemiah 7 and 8 has driven home the fact the Christians cannot live outside the community found within the church. When we perceive that we can live a life marked by solitude apart from the fellowship of believers I honest believe that we are living outside the intentions that God has for mankind. The journey that the Israelites progressed from being set apart by God to this moment where a remnant has returned to Jerusalem has always focused on the community of the people. Consistently the punishment for sinfulness and disobedience was either death or expulsion from the community. The culture of the Israelites is one where people were in contact with one another and living out life together. In society today we can go through our day with little regard and thought given to any other person other than ourself. We are surrounded with self serve, self improvement, and self help which only facilitate our solitude enabling behaviors. Read more