Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. Hanani, one of my brothersHanani is identified as Nehemiah's brother, which may indicate a familial relationship or a close kinship. This personal connection emphasizes the authenticity and urgency of the report Nehemiah receives. In the broader biblical narrative, family ties often play a crucial role in God's unfolding plan, as seen in the stories of Joseph and his brothers or Moses and Aaron. arrived with men from Judah
The mention of Judah highlights the geographical and tribal significance of the region, which was the heartland of the Jewish people and the location of Jerusalem. Judah's returnees were central to the restoration efforts post-exile. The journey from Judah to Susa, where Nehemiah was, underscores the distance and difficulty of travel in the ancient world, reflecting the dedication of those who brought news. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile
The term "remnant" is significant in biblical theology, often referring to a faithful group preserved by God through trials. This concept is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah and Jeremiah, where God promises to preserve a remnant of His people. The survival of the Jews after the Babylonian exile fulfills prophecies of restoration and continuity of God's covenant people. and also about Jerusalem
Jerusalem holds profound theological and historical importance as the city of David, the location of the Temple, and the center of Jewish worship and identity. Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem reflects the city's symbolic role as the heart of God's promises to Israel. The city's condition post-exile is a focal point for the restoration efforts, as seen in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and it foreshadows the ultimate restoration and peace prophesied in the Messianic age. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is the central figure in the book. He is deeply concerned about the welfare of Jerusalem and its people. 2. HananiIdentified as one of Nehemiah's brothers, Hanani brings news from Judah. His report prompts Nehemiah's prayer and subsequent actions. 3. JudahThe region where Jerusalem is located. It is significant as the homeland of the Jewish people and the site of the temple. 4. The RemnantRefers to the Jews who survived the Babylonian exile and returned to Jerusalem. Their condition is a primary concern for Nehemiah. 5. JerusalemThe holy city of the Jews, central to their identity and worship. Its state of disrepair is a source of distress for Nehemiah. Teaching Points Concern for God's People and PlaceNehemiah's inquiry about the remnant and Jerusalem shows his deep concern for God's people and the place of worship. We should also care about the spiritual and physical well-being of our communities. The Importance of InformationNehemiah seeks accurate information about the situation in Jerusalem. In our lives, making informed decisions requires seeking out the truth and understanding the circumstances. Family and Community TiesHanani's role in bringing news highlights the importance of family and community connections. We should maintain strong ties with our spiritual family and be attentive to their needs. Preparation for ActionNehemiah's questioning is the first step in a process that leads to significant action. Before taking action, we should gather information and seek God's guidance. Prayer as a ResponseNehemiah's immediate response to the news is prayer, demonstrating the importance of turning to God in times of distress and uncertainty. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem reflect the importance of caring for our spiritual communities today? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are well-informed about the needs of our church or community, similar to Nehemiah's inquiry? 3. How can we strengthen our family and community ties to better support one another, as seen in the relationship between Nehemiah and Hanani? 4. What steps can we take to prepare for action in our own lives, following Nehemiah's example of gathering information and seeking God's guidance? 5. How can we incorporate prayer into our response to challenging situations, as Nehemiah did upon hearing the news from Jerusalem? Connections to Other Scriptures Ezra 4-6These chapters provide background on the challenges faced by the Jews who returned to Jerusalem, including opposition from surrounding peoples, which sets the stage for Nehemiah's concern. Psalm 137Expresses the deep longing and sorrow of the exiled Jews for Jerusalem, similar to Nehemiah's concern for the city. Daniel 9Daniel's prayer for his people and Jerusalem parallels Nehemiah's intercession, highlighting the importance of prayer and repentance. People Hachaliah, Hanani, Israelites, NehemiahPlaces Jerusalem, SusaTopics Brethren, Brothers, Captivity, Escaped, Exile, Got, Hanani, Hana'ni, Jerusalem, Jewish, Jews, Judah, News, Prisoners, Questioned, Remnant, Request, SurvivedDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 1:2 5661 brothers
7145 remnant Nehemiah 1:1-2 5254 citadel Nehemiah 1:1-3 7240 Jerusalem, history Nehemiah 1:1-4 5354 invasions Nehemiah 1:2-4 8239 earnestness Library The Church and Social Evils
'It came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.'--NEH. i. 4. Ninety years had passed since the returning exiles had arrived at Jerusalem. They had encountered many difficulties which had marred their progress and cooled their enthusiasm. The Temple, indeed, was rebuilt, but Jerusalem lay in ruins, and its walls remained as they had been left, by Nebuchadnezzar's siege, some century and a half before. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Nehemiah, the Praying Builder
We care not for your splendid abilities as a minister, or your natural endowment as an orator before men. We are sure that the truth of the matter is this: No one will or can command success and become a real praying soul unless intense application is the price. I am even now convinced that the difference between the saints like Wesley, Fletcher, Edwards, Brainerd, Bramwell, Bounds, and ourselves is energy, perseverance, invincible determination to succeed or die in the attempt. God help us.--Rev. …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Discouragements and Courage
'Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Nehemiah 1:2 NIVNehemiah 1:2 NLTNehemiah 1:2 ESVNehemiah 1:2 NASBNehemiah 1:2 KJV
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