The Bible Study Podcast, episode 621. Today, the Bible Study podcast starts the study of the book of Nehemiah.

Welcome to the Bible Study podcast from your host, Chris Christensen. I forgot to tell you that last week was the

end of the book of Ezra, but we're going to jump right into the book of Nehemiah. I think of these

as a pair because they're both in the same time period. There's an overlap between these two men.

And the book of Nehemiah is focusing more on the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, while Ezra focused more on the rebuilding of the temple.

And both Ezra and Nehemiah are people who were serving in Persia,

and were called back to Jerusalem to do this work.

Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah's Prayer. In the month of Kislev in the 20th year,

while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers came from Judah with some other

men and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile and also about Jerusalem.

They said to me those who survived 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. When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted

and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said, Lord the God of heaven, the great and awesome

God who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear

be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your

servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.

I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed

against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the

commands, decrees, and laws you gave your servant, Moses. Remember the instruction you gave your

servant Moses, saying, if you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you

return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the

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