The words of
Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the
month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came
with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped,
who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in
the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall
of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
THE STUDY:
Today starts
the new study in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah means comfort or consolation
of Jehovah, and he is one whose name expresses his character, as is so
often the case in Scripture, when names were not given by any means so
carelessly as now.[1]
The Lord used Nehemiah to revive the spirit of the discouraged exiles and
bring them hope (cf. Isa 57:14–21). The first seven chapters of Nehemiah as
well as 12:31–13:31 are written in the first person. This, as well as all or
part of Neh 11 and the rest of Neh 12, constitutes what is called the Nehemiah
Memoirs. As such it offers an extensive look into the life and heart of an
outstanding servant of God that is unique to the Old Testament. Nehemiah was an
energetic leader who combined a deep trust in the Lord with precise planning,
careful organization, and discreet but energetic action. Christian leaders find
inspiration in Nehemiah’s life and character.[2]
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding the significance a person’s name was in days of old. Today’s chosen name for a child is not brought about in the same manner as done in Nehemiah’s day. The name expressed the child’s future character.
- Some may ask, “How do you know the future character of a child?” From birth we start instilling and molding the character of our children. We speak it into them!
APPLICATION:
I remember
picking the name of our children. My daughter, Danielle, was the easiest one
for me. I have always loved that name and so when I knew it was a girl,
Danielle was to be her name. As for Logan and Lucas, these were a little more
time consuming. Once we prayed about it and felt this was the names for our
boys, we had a peace about it. I look at my children and say, there is no other
name that could have been given to them. Their names fit them perfectly.
The character
of my children has been something that has been written upon their hearts by my
wife and I. We speak into them what we expect and desire for their lives.
Negative words have never been a part of our family. Looking at the glass half
full has always been our view, Finding the solution to a problem and not giving
up is the way we do things in our family.
Our kids
never knew this as an infant. We gave them their name but, we instilled into
them their character. Today, understand your name was given to you but your
character is within you. The Spirit of Christ becomes your character.
Hopefully, today someone will mistake you for Jesus.
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
