Nehemiah - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The book of Nehemiah continues the story of the JEWS¹ who returned to Judah after their exile in Babylon. Zerubbabel had led the first group of exiles about ninety years earlier; his mission had been to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra Chapters 1–6). Then, about eighty years after that, Ezra himself had led a second group; his mission had been to bring reform to Judah’s people (Ezra Chapters 7–10). And finally, thirteen years after Ezra’s journey, Nehemiah set out for Jerusalem; Nehemiah’s mission was to rebuild the city walls.

The book of Nehemiah was written by Nehemiah himself. Nehemiah was a trusted servant of Artaxerxes king of Persia; his official title was royal cupbearer² (Nehemiah 1:11). Nehemiah was very different in temperament from his contemporary, Ezra. Whereas Ezra was a quiet and retiring man who devoted much time to prayer, study and teaching, Nehemiah was a man of action, a forceful leader who mobilized people to accomplish great tasks. Indeed, he is one of the Old Testament’s greatest models of godly leadership.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah should be studied together; they form a single story of the reestablishment of the Jewish people in Judah after the Exile. For further information concerning the historical background of the book of Nehemiah, see Ezra: Introduction.