This post is Day 2 in a series of studies about “Nehemiah”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Nehemiah – Day 2

At that time there would be a lot of pressure on people to give, and much willingness on their parts, wanting to thank and bless God for bringing them back to their homeland. But there was also much poverty, few leaders and going back home was not quite what they had hoped.

Nehemiah 1:3

They said to me, “Those who survive the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

The Thought

Nehemiah was probably not expecting to hear such disappointing news from Jerusalem, a city which was “sacred” and of great importance for the Jewish people.

As early as Genesis 14 we read of the King of Salem (Jerusalem) meeting Abraham after a victorious battle. Many believe that that king was Jesus, because he brought bread and wine to Abraham and gave him a blessing. In return Abraham gave this king a tenth of everything he had.

That is the basis of many churches recommending today that people give a tithe (a tenth) of their income to the work of the church.

Luke 11:42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”

In Nehemiah’s time there would be a lot of pressure on people to give, and much willingness on their parts, wanting to thank and bless God for bringing them back to their homeland. But there was also much poverty, few leaders and going back “home” was not quite what they had hoped. They needed help.

Action

Read Genesis 14:17-20 slowly in different translations in order to get an understanding of what really happened when Abraham met the King of Salem.

Consider today how much you give to the work of The Lord.

Read Psalm 76 which speaks of God living in Salem, and think of Nehemiah’s reaction when God’s city was in such a bad state.

Pray that you will react to any future bad news in the right way giving the situation to the Lord.