Just by way of reminder, from Sunday's sermon, the book of Nehemiah is divided into three major parts:
Nehemiah’s memoirs (written in 1st person) – Chps 1 - 7
Ezra’s continued reforms (written in 3rd person) – Chps 8 - 12:31
Nehemiah’s memoirs (written in 1st person) – Chaps 12:31 - 13
The two 1st person sections are peppered with the prayers of Nehemiah, both planned and spontaneous in nature. A study of them is an excellent devotional exercise, from which one can learn much.
Section I records 7 prayers (1:4-11; 2:4; 4:4-5; 4:9; 5:19; 6:9; 6:14)
Section II records 4 prayers (13:14; 13:22; 13:29; 13:31)
There is much we can learn from Nehemiah's prayer life, and that is the focus of the sermon, so I will not repeat it here. I do want to develop a bit more what I just introduce in the sermon, related to the prayers of Nehemiah which seem harsh or vindictive in nature. These prayers occur in response to the opposition Nehemiah had been experiencing.
There is one particularly sharp prayer in the book (4:4-5) and two that tend toward being imprecatory in nature (6:14 and 13:29). These prayers join with other passages in which biblical characters express, often in prayer, ill wishes upon their enemies. The most famous of these passages are a number of psalms that include imprecations. One that might fit well here is Psalm 137, which was written by Jewish exiles living in Babylon and remembering the fall of Jerusalem. Take a moment to read the psalm, especially verses 7-9.
In regard to Nehemiah's prayer against his enemies, we must remember, as I stated briefly in my sermon, that Nehemiah is guarding the work of God against those who would seek to stop it. He is not concerned for his own work or his own reputation, but he is very passionate that God be honored and that His work be done. He knows that those who oppose the building of the wall, are opposing God and that is a very serious thing.
Nehemiah never takes things into his own hands. He wants retribution for the evil done to his workers but he does not seek that himself. He knows the Bible in which God clearly says that vengeance is not ours to take (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, and repeated in Romans 12:19). But even though he does not act upon his feelings, he does have feelings, as we all do. But rather than suppress those feeling and much better than acting on them, Nehemiah offers them up to God in prayer.
Prayers like these and Psalms and other passages that include this kind of expression help us see that biblical characters are human and real. They were just like us. And they show us a godly way to process our feelings. If you are interested in reading more on this topic, click here for a good article.
As I was working through this my mind went to a often misinterpreted passage of scripture--Matthew 25:31-46. In this parable of the Sheep and the Goats, at the end of the age the nations are judged based upon how they had responded to the "lest of these brothers and sisters of mine" (or the "least of these my brethren" in older translations). We often assume that the "least of these" are people in need (the hungry, naked and imprisoned, as the parable states). Therefore, the parable becomes an encouragement for the church to reach out and care for the needy of the world. This is, of course, something the church ought to do, however it is not what this passage teaches.
The key to understanding this passage lies in how Matthew uses the phrase "my brethren" (or however translations render it). Whom does he have in mind when he uses this phrase? It is clear from Matthew 12:48-49 and 28:12, that for Matthew, "my brethren" are those who believe in Jesus and follow him. So what Jesus is saying in Matthew 25:31-46 is that in the end, Nations (and individuals) will be judged according how they treated the Christian community in their land and communities. This is something significant to ponder.
How does it relate to Nehemiah--simply like this. Sanballat and Tobiah and others who opposed Nehemiah, were actually opposing God and they will be held accountable for how they have treated the people of God. Nehemiah knew this and offered up his prayers to God, seeking God's honor and allowing retribution to rest in the hands of God. I for one would not want to be Sanballat or Tobiah on judgment day.
Thanks for digging deeper.
There is much we can learn from Nehemiah's prayer life, and that is the focus of the sermon, so I will not repeat it here. I do want to develop a bit more what I just introduce in the sermon, related to the prayers of Nehemiah which seem harsh or vindictive in nature. These prayers occur in response to the opposition Nehemiah had been experiencing.
There is one particularly sharp prayer in the book (4:4-5) and two that tend toward being imprecatory in nature (6:14 and 13:29). These prayers join with other passages in which biblical characters express, often in prayer, ill wishes upon their enemies. The most famous of these passages are a number of psalms that include imprecations. One that might fit well here is Psalm 137, which was written by Jewish exiles living in Babylon and remembering the fall of Jerusalem. Take a moment to read the psalm, especially verses 7-9.
In regard to Nehemiah's prayer against his enemies, we must remember, as I stated briefly in my sermon, that Nehemiah is guarding the work of God against those who would seek to stop it. He is not concerned for his own work or his own reputation, but he is very passionate that God be honored and that His work be done. He knows that those who oppose the building of the wall, are opposing God and that is a very serious thing.
Nehemiah never takes things into his own hands. He wants retribution for the evil done to his workers but he does not seek that himself. He knows the Bible in which God clearly says that vengeance is not ours to take (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, and repeated in Romans 12:19). But even though he does not act upon his feelings, he does have feelings, as we all do. But rather than suppress those feeling and much better than acting on them, Nehemiah offers them up to God in prayer.
Prayers like these and Psalms and other passages that include this kind of expression help us see that biblical characters are human and real. They were just like us. And they show us a godly way to process our feelings. If you are interested in reading more on this topic, click here for a good article.
As I was working through this my mind went to a often misinterpreted passage of scripture--Matthew 25:31-46. In this parable of the Sheep and the Goats, at the end of the age the nations are judged based upon how they had responded to the "lest of these brothers and sisters of mine" (or the "least of these my brethren" in older translations). We often assume that the "least of these" are people in need (the hungry, naked and imprisoned, as the parable states). Therefore, the parable becomes an encouragement for the church to reach out and care for the needy of the world. This is, of course, something the church ought to do, however it is not what this passage teaches.
The key to understanding this passage lies in how Matthew uses the phrase "my brethren" (or however translations render it). Whom does he have in mind when he uses this phrase? It is clear from Matthew 12:48-49 and 28:12, that for Matthew, "my brethren" are those who believe in Jesus and follow him. So what Jesus is saying in Matthew 25:31-46 is that in the end, Nations (and individuals) will be judged according how they treated the Christian community in their land and communities. This is something significant to ponder.
How does it relate to Nehemiah--simply like this. Sanballat and Tobiah and others who opposed Nehemiah, were actually opposing God and they will be held accountable for how they have treated the people of God. Nehemiah knew this and offered up his prayers to God, seeking God's honor and allowing retribution to rest in the hands of God. I for one would not want to be Sanballat or Tobiah on judgment day.
Thanks for digging deeper.
Interesting clarification on Matt 25 :31-46 also appreciated the link o Paul Copan's thoughts on angry/hostile prayers...always struggled with that!
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