SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (a) Outline Nehemiah's immediate reactions to the news...

Explanation

A) HOW NEHEMIAH REACTED TO THE NEWS ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN JERUSALEM (NEHEMIAH 1:2-11)

i. Nehemiah was one of the Jews taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar

ii. He was made a CUp-bearer to the king of Persia in Susa.

iii. One day, Nehemiah was in Susa when a delegation led by his brother Hanani came to him with men from Judah.

iv. Nehemiah asked them concerning the few Jews who were still in Jerusalem and about the city itself.

v. Hanani made him aware that the people in Jerusalem were in great trouble and shame.

vi. He further said that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates destroyed by fire.

vii. Upon hearing that, Nehemiah broke down, wept, mourned and fasted for days.

viii. Nehemiah prayed to God to hear the prayer of his servants

ix. He confessed that He and his father's house had sinned.

x. Again, he Confessed that they had not kept the commandments, statutes and ordinances Moses commanded.

xi. He asked God to remember His words to Moses that if they were unfaithful he would scatter them among the people.

xii. But should they repent and keep His commandment, He would gather them and restore them to the place He has chosen for them

xiii. He reminded God that He had redeemed His people by His great power.

xiv. He finally petitioned God to listen to His servant and grant him success and mercy.

xv. After the prayer, God intervened and touched the heart of the king to grant him mercy, to visit his people.

B. VIRTUES THAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM NEHEMIAH'S REACTION

i. Nehemiah was patriotic; hence, we need to learn to show patriotism/ love our nation.

ii. He was very prayerful. We need to emulate Nehemiah and be prayerful.

iii. He was conscious of the sins Committed by him and his fellow Jews; so he confessed to God/ There is the need for a country to accept her sins and confession.

iV. There is the need for national repentance.

V. It is important to have faith in God/God is faithful.

vi. We should always intercede for our nation/ pray for the well-being of our country.

vii. There is the need to be focused/ committed.

vii. We should have vision and share it with others.

ix. We should be sincere to God by confessing our sins.

x. We should show empathy with the plight of our people/selfless.

xi. We should demonstrate humility and sincere service.