We of the present generation should desire to be like Nehemiah, a governor of the province of Judah in the fifth century B.C.E.

King Artaxerxes of Persia appointed Nehemiah to govern the province of Judah and Jerusalem.

Nehemiah Makes Most of Opportunities

All such will therefore note with interest and profit the example of one who zealously made the most of his opportunities, and that in evil times, namely, Nehemiah.

 3. How did Nehemiah prove that Jerusalem was his chief concern?

³ Some 12 years later, there was another Jew who took decisive action—Nehemiah.

He had a prestigious position as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, but that was not Nehemiah’s “chief cause for rejoicing.”

That is the essence of the book of Nehemiah.

It is a vivid account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall under the courageous leadership of Nehemiah.

About 82 years after the return of the first repatriates, a Jew named Nehemiah, who had been serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes (Longimanus) of Persia, received news from his brother, Hanani, and other men from Judah, of the deplorable state of the city of Jerusalem.

This was most upsetting to Nehemiah.

Nehemiah tells us: “And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him, and I as usual took up the wine and gave it to the king.” (Neh. 2:1)

At this time Nehemiah brought to the king’s attention the sad state of Jerusalem and asked to be commissioned to go back to rebuild the city.

This servant was Nehemiah, who at the time had the responsible position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia.

Nehemiah was greatly grieved on hearing this report.

 2. (a) In what ways did Nehemiah give a good account of himself to God? (b) With what plea did Nehemiah conclude the Bible book bearing his name?

² One man who gave a good account of himself to God was Nehemiah, cupbearer to Persian King Artaxerxes (Longimanus). (Nehemiah 2:1)

Nehemiah became governor of the Jews and rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall in the face of foes and dangers.

 3. How many years pass before we are again introduced to the activities of Ezra, and in what circumstances do we find him?

³ The Bible does not state where Ezra was during the 12 years that intervened between his visit to Jerusalem and Nehemiah’s arrival in the city.

 5. (a) How did Ezra and Nehemiah make good use of “the first day of the seventh month”? (b) Why did the Israelites weep?

⁵ On “the first day of the seventh month,” “all the people” gathered, likely being encouraged to do so by Nehemiah and Ezra.