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Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah 1 describes the beginning of Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king, hears about the dire situation in Jerusalem and responds with prayer, asking for God’s help to restore his people and the city. This chapter highlights Nehemiah’s deep concern for his people and his reliance on God’s guidance as he prepares to take action.

Nehemiah 1:1-5 (NKJV)
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel,
2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments."

Nehemiah begins with a report about the state of Jerusalem from his brother, Hanani, who reveals the city’s destruction and the distress of the people. The walls are broken, and the gates are burned, leaving the city vulnerable. Nehemiah’s deep emotional response shows his love for his people and his sorrow for the ruined state of Jerusalem. He immediately turns to fasting and prayer, recognizing God’s power and covenant faithfulness, knowing only God can restore the city and the nation.

Nehemiah 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 "Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.
7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses."

Nehemiah continues his prayer by confessing the sins of the Israelites, including his own and his family's. He acknowledges that the calamity facing Jerusalem is a result of the people’s unfaithfulness to God’s commandments. Nehemiah’s prayer demonstrates humility and responsibility, as he includes himself in the repentance. His prayer is also an appeal for God's mercy and help, knowing that the people had strayed from the covenant.

Nehemiah 1:8-9 (NKJV)
8 "Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations;
9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’"

Nehemiah reminds God of the covenant promises made to Moses, specifically how God had warned of scattering the people if they were disobedient, but also promised to regather them if they repented. Nehemiah’s prayer is full of hope, rooted in the faithfulness of God to keep His promises. He believes that despite the people's failure, God's mercy can bring restoration if they turn back to Him.

Nehemiah 1:10-11 (NKJV)
10 "Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.
11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king’s cupbearer.

Nehemiah concludes his prayer by acknowledging that the people are God’s redeemed and chosen people. He asks for God’s attention to the prayers of all who fear Him and specifically for favor as he prepares to approach the king. Nehemiah’s position as cupbearer is significant, as it gave him access to the king, and he prays for God’s help in using this influence to benefit Jerusalem. His prayer shows both his dependence on God and his readiness to act.

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