Kidner: Since natural bent was for swift, decisive action, his Nehemiah’s behaviour here is remarkable. It shows where his priorities lay. Yamauchi: Custom of mourners being seated (cf. Ps. 137:1; Job 2:13) Overcome with intense grief this should be an emotional – message wept and mourned for days;” “and Weeping not a sign of weakness Jer. 9:1; Acts 20:19; Ps. 69:9; Rom. 15:3 – Swindoll: I am deeply impressed with the fact that, though he possessed a position in the world, he had a heart that was very tender toward God. It is rare to find these combined strengths in a person. Psalm 30:5 may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” “Weeping James 4:9-10 miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into “Be mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Application: What does God want us to be weeping and mourning about right now? Are we content to just look the other way and go on about our business?? B. Spiritual Response of Seeking the Lord 1. Concentrated Approach Shutting out Distractions by Fasting denying normal human – appetites I was fasting” Zech “and (Esth 4:16; Dan 9:3; 10:3; 7:3-7; 8:19) Focusing on God in Prayer “and praying” 2. Covenant Access to a Sovereign King the God of heaven.” “before Privilege to have a personal relationship with the majestic ruler of the universe; Special covenant relationship enjoyed by Nehemiah Where do we turn for help? Psalm 3:4 was crying to the Lord with my voice, and “I He answered me from His holy mountain.” Psalm 5:1-2 ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. “Give Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.” Psalm 11:4 Lord is in His holy temple; the is in heaven” “The Lord’s throne Just because you have the Vision and feel the that you always Burden doesn’t mean take action
Kidner: Since Nehemiah’s natural bent was for swift, decisive action, his behaviour here is remarkable. It shows where his priorities lay. Yamauchi: Custom of mourners being seated (cf. Ps. 137:1; Job 2:13) Overcome with intense grief – this should be an emotional message “and wept and mourned for days;” Weeping not a sign of weakness – Jer. 9:1; Acts 20:19; Ps. 69:9; Rom. 15:3 Swindoll: I am deeply impressed with the fact that, though he possessed a position in the world, he had a heart that was very tender toward God. It is rare to find these combined strengths in a person. Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” James 4:9-10 “Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Application: What does God want us to be weeping and mourning about right now? Are we content to just look the other way and go on about our business?? B. Spiritual Response of Seeking the Lord 1. Concentrated Approach Shutting out Distractions by Fasting – denying normal human appetites “and I was fasting” (Esth 4:16; Dan 9:3; 10:3; Zech 7:3-7; 8:19) Focusing on God in Prayer “and praying” 2. Covenant Access to a Sovereign King “before the God of heaven.” Privilege to have a personal relationship with the majestic ruler of the universe; Special covenant relationship enjoyed by Nehemiah Where do we turn for help? Psalm 3:4 “I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain.” Psalm 5:1-2 “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.” Psalm 11:4 “The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven” Just because you have the Vision and feel the Burden doesn’t mean that you always take action
6562.Nehemiah-Commentary_2D00_Paul-Apple.docx