Welcome to Worldwide Outreach Teaching School

Session 4, A Person with Passion 6/28/2020

Scriptures：Nehemiah 1:1-4; 2:1-6,16-18

Worldwide Outreach Teaching School Dr. Meiman Lai Saidi

http://www.WorldwideOTS.org

PREFACE: God selected Nehemiah who was a man of great vision and passion. He was a layperson, specifically a cupbearer serving in inner court of king Artaxerxes in Persia. This role indicates his high level of character, integrity, trustworthiness, and leadership that equipped him for the daunting project of rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah’s close work with Ezra is a reminder that God uses both clergy and lay to accomplish the building of His kingdom.

Last Week: We discovered that we must confess and seek God’s forgiveness for those

things for which we have allowed to compromise our relationship with God.

This Week: We will discover that believers must cultivate passion for the things of God.

Seeing the Need: Nehemiah1:1-4, 1. The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2. Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 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." 4. When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Commentary: Nehemiah1:1-4, The reason for Nehemiah’s concern over Jerusalem is not hard to explain. Jerusalem was “the city of the Great king” according to Psalm 48:2. It was the place God had chosen to put “a dwelling for His name” according Deuteronomy 12:11. Thus, this city represented the rule of God in this world. If the Jerusalem suffered disgrace, the Lord did as well. Many people at the time were aware of Jerusalem’s humiliation, Thus, Nehemiah “mourned and fasted and prayed” for many days (1:4). The prayer that follows in verses 6-11 shows how Nehemiah’s passion and vision only increased as he prayed. (Excerpted from the page 25 of the Faith Connection,)

Leveraging Resources: Read Nehemiah 2:1- 6 1. In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; 2, so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, 3. but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" 4. The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5. and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it." 6. Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me, so I set a time.

Commentary:

2:2, The King noticed Nehemiah’s sad appearance. This frightened Nehemiah because it was dangerous to show sorrow before the king, who could execute anyone who displeased him. Anyone wearing sack cloth (mourning clothes) was barred from the palace (Esther 4:2).

2:2, 3 Nehemiah wasn’t ashamed to admit his fear, but he refused to allow fear to stop him from doing what God had called him to do. When we allow our fears to rule us, we make fear more powerful than God. Is there a task God wants you to do, but fear is holding you back? God is greater than all your fears. Recognizing why you are afraid is the first step in committing it to God. Realize that if God has called you to a task, he will help you accomplish it.

2:4, With a little time to think, Nehemiah immediately prayed. Eight times in this book we read that he prayed spontaneously (2:4; 4:4-5, 9; 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 29). Nehemiah prayed at any time, even while talking with others, He knew that God is always in charge, is always present, and hears and answers every prayer. Nehemiah could confidently pray throughout the day because he had established an intimate relationship with God during times of extended prayer (1:4-7). If we want to reach God with our emergency prayers, we need to take time to cultivate a strong relationship with God through times of in-depth prayer. 2:6, The king asked Nehemiah how long he would be gone. The Bible does not record Nehemiah’s immediate answer, but he ended up staying in Jerusalem 12 years (5:14; 13:6) (Nehemiah 2:1-6, N.I.V.P962)

Motivating Others: Please read - Nehemiah 2:16-18, 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. 17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

Commentary: Nehemiah 2:16-18, 2:15-16, Nehemiah kept his mission a secret and surveyed the walls by moonlight to avoid unhealthy gossip about his arrival and to prevent enemies from being alerted to his plans. Only after planning carefully would he be ready to go public with his mission from God. A premature announcement could have caused rivalry among the Jews as to the best way to begin in this case Nehemiah didn’t need tedious planning sessions; he needed one plan that would bring quick action. (N.I.V. p.965)

2:17,18 Spiritual renewal often begins with one person’s vision. Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it with enthusiasm, inspiring Jerusalem’s leaders to rebuild the walls. We frequently underestimate people and don’t challenge them with our dreams for God’s work in the world. When God plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something for him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit to impress them with similar thoughts Do not regard yourself as the only one through whom God is working. Often God uses one person to express the vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish God’s goals.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Seeing the Need: Nehemiah1:1-4, Thus, this city represented the rule of God in this world. Nehemiah clearly felt deep passion for God’s kingdom; So, he fasted and prayed, mourned for many days.

2. Leveraging Resources: Nehemiah 2:1-6. King Artaxerxes inquired Nehemiah’s sadness. God orchestrated the conversation about Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayed as he answered the king, and asked for time to go to Jerusalem and rebuild it, because Nehemiah already had a plan in mind.

3. Motivating Others: Nehemiah 2:16-18, Once Nehemiah models dependency on the Lord’s strength and passion for God’s work. Nehemiah made a full survey of the city’s deplorable condition when he arrived in Jerusalem. He presented a clear vision and a well thought out plan to accomplish it. Displaying passion for the project. Invoking the graciousness of God by sharing the story of His faithfulness in gaining the king’s favor.

Unit 1. 以斯拉記/尼希米記第四課, 一個充滿熱情的人 6/28/2020 經文：尼希米記 1:1-4; 2:1-6,16-18 Worldwide Outreach Teaching School 賴美滿校長 http://www.WorldwideOTS.org

前言: 神諫選尼希米是一位有偉大視野與熱情的人。雖是位門外漢，只是當波斯亞達薛西王之司酒者而已。這角色象徵他性格的高級，正直，可靠性，與領導能力裝備他為這可怕的重建城牆之設計工作。尼希米與以斯拉二者之專心工作是在叮嚀我們，神的用人如他們兩位的努力工作，完成了神之王國的建築。

上週: 發現我們必須認罪尋求神的赦罪，以便為這些事輿神調停和解之。這週: 我們將發現基督徒必需致力於培養為神的事熱心。

1. 看到需要: 尼希米記1:1-4, 1. 哈迦利亞的兒子尼希米的言語如下。亞達薛西王二十年、基斯流月、我在書珊城的宮中。2. 那時、有我一個弟兄哈拿尼、同著幾個人從猶大來．我問他們那些被擄歸回剩下逃脫的猶大人、和耶路撒冷的光景。3. 他們對我說、那些被擄歸回剩下的人、在猶大省遭大難、受凌辱．並且耶路撒冷的城牆拆毀、城門被火焚燒。4. 我聽見這話、就坐下哭泣、悲哀幾日．在天上的　神面前禁食祈禱. 解經: 尼希米記1:1-4, 並非難於解釋之所以尼希米為耶路撒冷而操心。根據詩篇48章第2節說耶路撒冷 “是大君王的城”。根據申命記 12章11節. 是 “神所選擇要立為他名的居所”。因此，耶路撒冷這城是代表神在此地。倘若耶路撒冷受辱不名譽，神也受辱。在當時許多人都清楚並且耶路撒冷的城牆拆毀，因此，尼希米 “痛哭、禁食地禱告許多日” (1:4). 接著的禱告(6-11) 再禱告，在禱告中僅增加他的熱情與意象。

2. 力量之來源: 讀尼希米記 2:1-6, 1亞達薛西王二十年、尼散月、在王面前擺酒、我拿起酒來奉給王。我素來在王面前沒有愁容。王對我說、你既沒有病、為甚麼面帶愁容呢．這不是別的、必是你心中愁煩。於是我甚懼怕。我對王說、願王萬歲．我列祖墳墓所在的那城荒涼、城門被火焚燒、我豈能面無愁容麼。王問我說、你要求甚麼。於是我默禱天上的　神。我對王說、僕人若在王眼前蒙恩、王若喜歡、求王差遣我往猶大、到我列祖墳墓所在的那城去．我好重新建造。6. 那時王后坐在王的旁邊。王問我說、你去要多少日子、幾時回來．我就定了日期．於是王喜歡差遣我去。

解經: 尼希米記 2:1-6, 2:2, 王Artaxerxes察覺到尼希米的愁容，使尼希米甚是懼怕，因為任何人露出愁眉苦臉使王不悅的話，王都有權賜他死罪，因為穿麻衣服的不可進朝門，而愁眉苦臉與穿麻衣服無異。 2:2, 3 尼希米不因他的惶恐而感到恥辱。他未因此停止了神交拖的工作。若我們讓惶恐控制自己，便等於承認恐惶勝過神。當神呼召您時，您畏縮了嗎？神已勝過了恐惶，您先要找出懼怕的原因，並要明白，只要是出於神的，祂必定幫助您完成這工作的。 2:4, 尼希米沒多考慮，便立刻跪下禱告。在尼希米記中，先後有八次他發自內心的禱告 (2:4; 4:4-5, 9; 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 29)。尼希米隨時禱告，因他知道神掌管一切，與他同在並樂意聆聽和回應他的祈求。尼希米有信心地禱告，因為恆常禱告，使他與神更親密了 (1:4-7)。若我們想禱告達到神面前，必需發時間深人的禱告，才能與神建立親密的關係。 2:6, 王(Artaxerxes) 問尼希米要去多少日子，聖經沒有記載他即時的答覆，結果他在耶路撒冷住了12 年 (5:14; 13:6)。 (參考聖經靈修版P.830)

3.激發他人 : 讀- 尼希米記2:16-18, 16 我往那裡去、我作甚麼事、官長都不知道．我還沒有告訴猶大平民、祭司、貴冑、官長、和其餘作工的人。17 以後、我對他們說、我們所遭的難、耶路撒冷怎樣荒涼、城門被火焚燒、你們都看見了．來罷、我們重建耶路撒冷的城牆、免得再受凌辱。18 我告訴他們我　神施恩的手怎樣幫助我、並亞達薛西王(Artaxerxes對我所說的話．他們就說、我們起來建造罷。於是他們奮勇作這善工。解經: 尼希米記2:16-18, 尼希米對身負的使命保持不說出去，在深夜視察城牆，是為了避免他的巡視引起各種的不利謠言，並防止敵人對他的計劃起戒心。唯有審慎的計劃，一切準備就緒，他才將神拖負的使命公開。若時機未成熟便公佈計劃，可能會導致猷太人的反對。尼希米不願被冗長而費時的計劃會議耽誤時間，他要的是一個能夠坐言起行的計劃。 2:17,18 意象常叫人靈性復興。尼希米領受了異象滿懷熱誠與耶路撒冷的領袖們分享，激動他們重建城牆。我們常低估別人，所以不常將神在地上之旨意，宣告出來以激勵別人。神給您異象去為祂工作，您只管與人分享，相信聖靈會感動他們有同樣的意念。不要以為您是神唯一的僕人。神常藉著一個人宣講異象，而動員其他人去實現異象，當您激動別人，鼓舞別人時，就是以團隊事奉來完成神的旨意。 (參考聖經靈修版P.831) 4. 結論: 1. 看到需要: 1:1-4, 像這樣，這城象徵着神的律法在世間，尼希米很清楚的感覺為神國的熱愛; 因此，他禁食禱告，哭喪著臉許多日。 2. 力量之來源: 2:1-6, 亞達薛西王詢問尼希米之傷心事時; 神已調停尼希米之心懷意念有關耶路撒冷城牆之事，尼希米禱告的就如他的回應亞達薛西王，並請示王的應許，因他已有計劃了。 3. 激發他人: 2:16-18, 尼希米的朔造計劃全歸於神的力量與他熱誠於神的工作。尼希米抵達耶路撒冷就作一個全部城牆不幸情況的調查。他提出一個很清楚的異象與完成建牆之工作計劃，現出他為設計的熱潮。以分享他的信實，迫切的乞求神的優裕得王之贊成。

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