ANSWERS

Week # 6      QUSTIONS:

 

 

1.     Why was it important to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem?

It was important, because the lack of fortified walls around the city left the people defenseless against enemies.

2.     The lack of fortified walls around the city left the people in what state?

They were exposed to any and everything around them, even their enemies; also they were ashamed.

3.     What did Nehemiah tell the Jewish leaders concerning the state of their city?

Let us build the walls of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.

4.     What was the quote of Moses did Nehemiah quote?

"If you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name" (Nehemiah 1:9).

5.     Rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was what kind of sign to the enemy?

This was a sign that their God had not left them; it was an important to the enemy of Israel, God's chosen people.

6.     When was the completion of the walls?

The walls around the city of Jerusalem were completed during sometime in the year (444 BC).

7.     Why do you suppose Nehemiah made this statement? (Nehemiah 6:16)

""When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God" I would think he had confident in God, and knew man was limited, and that the people (their enemies) didn't believe they could have done it by themselves, I would think!!!

8.     How did the destruction of Jerusalem leave the people then?

This left the people with shame, because they had a reputation of having a God that stood by them and protected them, even brought them out of bondage to the Egyptians. God's name was well known through-out these nations.

9.     What did the rebuilding reveal about God?

It revealed that God is a God of mercy, grace, and love. He kept His Word as He had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning that He will never leave them nor forsake them. It revealed God's character! Also, that He is a Mighty God!

10.                        Who did Nehemiah say would fight for the people if their enemies attacked?

Nehemiah 4:20 says, "In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.

11.                        What did the men do while rebuilding the wall concern protection?

Some of the men stood guard with weapons while others worked on the wall. God's people were ready to fight, but God protected them from their enemies. Jesus protects us from our enemies. When we know and love Jesus, He keeps us safe and we will live with Him forever.

12.                        How many times the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt?

After the Babylonian captivity and the Persian conquest of Babylonia, Cyrus II of Persia allowed the Jews to return to Judea and rebuild the Temple. The construction was finished in 516 BCE or 430 BCE. Then, Artaxerxes I or possibly Darius II allowed Ezra and Nehemiah to return and rebuild the city's walls and to govern Judea, which was ruled as Yehud province under the Persians. During the Second Temple period, especially during the Hasmonean period, the city walls were expanded and renovated, constituting what Josephus calls the First Wall. Herod the Great added what Josephus called the Second Wall somewhere in the area between today's Jaffa Gate and Temple Mount. Agrippa I later began the construction of the Third Wall, which was completed just at the beginning of the First Jewish–Roman War. Some remains of this wall are located today near the Mandelbaum Gate gas station.

13.                        In what ways do the enemies of Nehemiah from without begin to oppose his work?

They used craftiness to try and trick them to stop building the walls; they also they sent letters to put fear in Nehemiah, but God was with him.

14.                        How does Nehemiah respond?

God gave him spiritual perception and he prayed to God concerning this matter.

15.                        With what kind of trick do the enemies continue to oppose Nehemiah?

Five times Sanballat sent letters trying to intimidate Nehemiah, saying he was rebuilding these walls to become king over Israel, which was not true.

16.                        What kind of defensive action does Nehemiah take this time?

Nehemiah withstood Sanballat and told him the true about himself, and what his intension were; (Nehemiah 6:8).

17.                        What kind of problems arise from within Jerusalem?

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

18.                        What action does Nehemiah take to settle this problem?

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. (WOW!!) He meant busy, amen.

19.                        Show how enemies from both without and within try to lure Nehemiah into a trap.  

As to my reading, maybe wrong but that would be found in Nehemiah 13:25-28); "And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me." 

20.                        What have you learn from these studies?

I have learned about God's mercy and grace on His people. Also, God is a God that will keep His Word, even if it's not what we want. Down through the History God showed mercy, but His people didn't listen. I saw God preparing a way for our redemption too. It was a way for us to worship Him in spirit and in truth, in our soul, spirit, and mind, and not just in a building.