“Lesson 53: Nehemiah,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 105–6

“Nehemiah,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 105–6

Nehemiah

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Nehemiah 1–7. Nehemiah Was Inspired to Rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem Nehemiah mourned and prayed for the oppressed and afflicted in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 1). Nehemiah determined to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem and left Persia to accomplish this task (see Nehemiah 2:1–11, 12–20). The work of refortifying Jerusalem proceeded despite great opposition (see Nehemiah 3–4). Nehemiah, as governor of Judah, abolished usury and took measures to relieve corruption and oppression (see Nehemiah 5). Sanballat and Tobiah sought to bring reproach on Nehemiah and stop the completion of the ’ walls (see Nehemiah 6; JST, Nehemiah 6:11, 13). Nehemiah reviewed the genealogy of those who had returned to Judah (see Nehemiah 7; JST, Nehemiah 7:10–11, 13, 15–16, 18–20, 22–24, 37–38, 44–45, 62).	Religion 302 student manual, 32-1 through 32-9. Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 7. Why was Nehemiah unafraid of the threats of his enemies? (see also Joshua 23:7–10; D&C 105:14). Joshua 18:7; Exodus 29:9, 44; 30:30. How was it determined to whom the priesthood was given? D&C 58:27–28. How did Nehemiah exemplify following the counsel given by the Lord in this scripture? TPJS, p. 259. Why was Nehemiah’s work opposed? Bible dictionary, s.v. “Nehemiah.” Who was Nehemiah?
Nehemiah 8:1–13:3. The People Were Strengthened and Renewed Their Covenants with God Ezra publicly read and expounded the law of Moses to all the people (see Nehemiah 8:1–12). The feast of Tabernacles was reestablished (see Nehemiah 8:13–18). The people confessed their sins, praised God, and reviewed his goodness to Israel (see Nehemiah 9). The people covenanted to live faithfully the law of Moses (see Nehemiah 10; JST, Nehemiah 10:29–30). Those who returned from captivity were elected by lot to live either in Jerusalem or in another part of Judah (see Nehemiah 11). Priests and Levites were named, and the city walls were dedicated with great ceremony and sacrifices (see Nehemiah 12). All strangers were separated from Israel (see Nehemiah 13:1–3).	Religion 302 student manual, 32-10 through 32-16. Alma 31:5. What is a very effective way to lead people to follow God’s laws? (see also 2 Nephi 33:1; D&C 50:17–23; Deuteronomy 28:1–14). DS, 1:301–3. Why should we search the scriptures? (see also Deuteronomy 29:29; 30:10–16; D&C 1:37; 33:16–17). DS, 1:155. What is the value of covenants?
Nehemiah 13. After an Absence from the City, Nehemiah Continued His Work to Strengthen the People When Nehemiah went a second time to Jerusalem, he ousted the wicked Tobiah from a temple chamber and then ceremonially cleansed it (see Nehemiah 13:4–9). Nehemiah reestablished the payment of tithes (see Nehemiah 13:10–14). Nehemiah rebuked the nobles of Judah for profaning the Sabbath day and for marrying outside the covenant (see Nehemiah 13:15–31).	Religion 302 student manual, 32-17 through 32-18. DBY, pp. 84–85. How could a people who had made solemn public covenants to strictly observe the law fall back into apostasy so readily? (see Nehemiah 10:28–29).

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

Nehemiah 1–7. Nehemiah Was Inspired to Rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem
1. Nehemiah mourned and prayed for the oppressed and afflicted in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 1).
2. Nehemiah determined to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem and left Persia to accomplish this task (see Nehemiah 2:1–11, 12–20).
3. The work of refortifying Jerusalem proceeded despite great opposition (see Nehemiah 3–4).
4. Nehemiah, as governor of Judah, abolished usury and took measures to relieve corruption and oppression (see Nehemiah 5).
5. Sanballat and Tobiah sought to bring reproach on Nehemiah and stop the completion of the ’ walls (see Nehemiah 6; JST, Nehemiah 6:11, 13).
6. Nehemiah reviewed the genealogy of those who had returned to Judah (see Nehemiah 7; JST, Nehemiah 7:10–11, 13, 15–16, 18–20, 22–24, 37–38, 44–45, 62).

Religion 302 student manual, 32-1 through 32-9.

Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 7. Why was Nehemiah unafraid of the threats of his enemies? (see also Joshua 23:7–10; D&C 105:14).

Joshua 18:7; Exodus 29:9, 44; 30:30. How was it determined to whom the priesthood was given?

D&C 58:27–28. How did Nehemiah exemplify following the counsel given by the Lord in this scripture?

TPJS, p. 259. Why was Nehemiah’s work opposed?

Bible dictionary, s.v. “Nehemiah.” Who was Nehemiah?

Nehemiah 8:1–13:3. The People Were Strengthened and Renewed Their Covenants with God
1. Ezra publicly read and expounded the law of Moses to all the people (see Nehemiah 8:1–12).
2. The feast of Tabernacles was reestablished (see Nehemiah 8:13–18).
3. The people confessed their sins, praised God, and reviewed his goodness to Israel (see Nehemiah 9).
4. The people covenanted to live faithfully the law of Moses (see Nehemiah 10; JST, Nehemiah 10:29–30).
5. Those who returned from captivity were elected by lot to live either in Jerusalem or in another part of Judah (see Nehemiah 11).
6. Priests and Levites were named, and the city walls were dedicated with great ceremony and sacrifices (see Nehemiah 12).
7. All strangers were separated from Israel (see Nehemiah 13:1–3).

Religion 302 student manual, 32-10 through 32-16.

Alma 31:5. What is a very effective way to lead people to follow God’s laws? (see also 2 Nephi 33:1; D&C 50:17–23; Deuteronomy 28:1–14).

DS, 1:301–3. Why should we search the scriptures? (see also Deuteronomy 29:29; 30:10–16; D&C 1:37; 33:16–17).

DS, 1:155. What is the value of covenants?

Nehemiah 13. After an Absence from the City, Nehemiah Continued His Work to Strengthen the People
1. When Nehemiah went a second time to Jerusalem, he ousted the wicked Tobiah from a temple chamber and then ceremonially cleansed it (see Nehemiah 13:4–9).
2. Nehemiah reestablished the payment of tithes (see Nehemiah 13:10–14).
3. Nehemiah rebuked the nobles of Judah for profaning the Sabbath day and for marrying outside the covenant (see Nehemiah 13:15–31).

Religion 302 student manual, 32-17 through 32-18.

DBY, pp. 84–85. How could a people who had made solemn public covenants to strictly observe the law fall back into apostasy so readily? (see Nehemiah 10:28–29).

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Nehemiah’s Character Was an Aid to the Lord in Rebuilding Jerusalem (Sections A–C)

Involve the class in a discussion of what is known about Nehemiah: who he was, what he was like, and what his character was. The following verses could be listed, and students could identify the qualities.

Nehemiah 1:4–11. Humble

Nehemiah 2:1. Pleasant

Nehemiah 2:5. Self-initiating

Nehemiah 2:5–8. Self-confident

Nehemiah 2:17–18. Willing to take the lead

Nehemiah 2:19–20. Full of faith

Nehemiah 4:14. Fearless

Nehemiah 4:13, 16–23; 11:1–2. An organizer

Nehemiah 13:10–14. Discerning

Nehemiah 6:1–14. Obedient

Nehemiah 13:7–8, 15–31. Just

Ask what relevance the example of Nehemiah has to our day. Courage and valiance such as Nehemiah’s may yet be required of the Saints living in our day (see D&C 98:11–14; Bruce R. McConkie, in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, pp. 97–100).

Nehemiah Sought to Strengthen the People (Sections B–C)

Nehemiah and Ezra sought to purify their people. Discuss several of the practices they taught to accomplish their objective. The following are examples. Place the references on the board, and ask the students to read them and identify the actions involved.

Nehemiah 8:2–3, 7–8. Study and expounding the scriptures

Nehemiah 8:13–18. Keeping the feasts

Nehemiah 9:1–3. Fasting and confessing sins

Nehemiah 10:30. Marriage only in the covenant

Nehemiah 10:31. Keeping the Sabbath holy

Nehemiah 10:33–39. Paying tithes and offerings

Show that the same challenges exist in our own day. The following references illustrate a similar emphasis in our time.

Sabbath observance. Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 6; Apr. 1975, p. 9; Oct. 1975, p. 6; Oct. 1978, p. 5; Oct. 1979, p. 4.

Marriage. Spencer W. Kimball, “Marriage—The Proper Way,” New Era, Feb. 1976, pp. 4–7; “The Marriage Decision,” Ensign, Feb. 1975, pp. 2–6.

Scripture study. Spencer W. Kimball, “How Rare a Possession—The Scriptures!” Ensign, Sept. 1976, pp. 2–5; Henry D. Taylor, cited by Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, p. 89.

Tithes and offerings. Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, pp. 113–14; Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1979, p. 135; Spencer W. Kimball, “He Did It with All His Heart, and Prospered,” Ensign, Mar. 1981, pp. 3–5.

Repentance. Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, pp. 69–73; Spencer W. Kimball, “What Is True Repentance,” New Era, May 1974, pp. 4–7; Marion G. Romney, “Repent or Perish,” Ensign, Apr. 1975, pp. 3–5.

Walls and Towers Were Built around the Defended Cities of Israel (Section A)

Point out that Nehemiah was primarily concerned with rebuilding the walls at Jerusalem even though his infant nation had many other needs. His first official act was to secretly survey the ancient fortifications of the city and then to conscript sufficient men to quickly repair and fortify the walls around the old city of David before his enemies could prevent the effort.

Ancient Israel comprised several fortified cities and their sister cities. Each general area was protected by a city that was intended as a refuge for the inhabitants of surrounding, weaker cities. The fortified city was built upon a hill and was surrounded by a substantial stone wall, which helped the inhabitants of the city resist forced military entry. To improve the effectiveness of the wall, towers were constructed at regular intervals around it from which the defenders could easily repel attackers. The only entry to the city was through a fortified city gate, which was very difficult to penetrate because it was protected by a separate, fortified wall (see transparency 30).

The lesser cities that surrounded the fortified city had no such walls. Their inhabitants, upon being warned of impending danger, would flee to the fortified city. The sister cities depended upon the walls of the fortified city, as Roland deVaux explained:

“Every town (’ir) was normally encircled by a rampart, which distinguished it from an open village (haser, cf. Lv 25:31). But a town which was defended by solid constructions was called a ’fortified town’ (’ir mibsar. cf. Jr 34:7 and many other texts).

“The entire population of the neighbourhood would seek protection behind these defences in times of danger (Jr 4:5; 8:14).” (Ancient Israel, p. 229.)

Upon his return to the destroyed city of Jerusalem, Nehemiah realized that without city walls the infant nation would continue to be subject to the whims of their neighbors who had assumed control of much of the land. The city walls, therefore, were synonymous with safety.

Roland deVaux said of the cities that the Israelite spies encountered when they were sent to search the land of Canaan: “It is understandable that these heavily fortified towns struck fear into the Israelite invaders (Nb 13:28), for their ramparts reached ’to the sky’ (Dt 1:28); they were ’strongholds enclosed by high walls, protected by gates and bars’ (Dt 3:5)” (Ancient Israel, p. 229).

Since modern weapons have rendered such means of defense nearly useless, the significance of the wall may not be appreciated by the students; however, to Nehemiah the wall was absolutely crucial.