God’s Word, Our Story: Learning from the Book of Nehemiah
Overview
The book of Nehemiah powerfully illustrates God’s faithfulness as it chronicles Israel’s return from exile. In this collection of biblical expositions, nine prominent Bible teachers lead readers on a gospel-centered survey of this Old Testament book, connecting the story of Nehemiah to God’s overarching story of redemption. Chapters include: • Kathy Keller—Taking Action in Light of God’s Word (Nehemiah 1–2) • Tim Keller—Laboring for a God Who Fights for Us (Nehemiah 3–4) • Paige Brown—Fearing God in a Fallen World (Nehemiah 5–6) • Nancy Guthrie—Coming Together around God’s Word (Nehemiah 7–8) • John Piper—Responding to God according to His Word (Nehemiah 9–10) • Carrie Sandom, Jenny Salt, & Kathleen Nielson—Celebrating! A Moment of Joy in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11–12) • D. A. Carson Leaning Forward in the Dark: A Failed Reformation (Nehemiah 13)
Top Highlights
“What is extraordinarily impressive in this chapter, especially if you read it carefully, is that both men and women are working. You have both clergy and laity working. You have groups from different towns. You have groups from different classes. You have groups from different trades. You have rulers and workers, goldsmiths and merchants and perfumers. You have representatives from virtually every part of society, and you have one phrase repeated over and over throughout the text: ‘next to him’ (or ‘them’).” (Pages 48–49)
“‘Next to him … next to him … next to him …’ All these different people—people who otherwise wouldn’t have worked together on anything—now are all together. In Christ, we are holy. In Christ, we all have gifts. In Christ, we are being built together into the temple.” (Page 56)
“We know through hindsight that the promise is going to be fulfilled through an individual, a Messiah. Nehemiah’s whole work is to prepare the way for him, to have a rebuilt nation, city, temple, priesthood, and sacrifices, a place where Jesus can grow up Jewish and be the true Israel, the final temple, the high priest, the ultimate sacrifice. Nehemiah doesn’t precisely know how what he is doing will bring this about. But he knows he has to be faithful to God’s promises and his Word.” (Page 29)
“Look at the prayer in 6:9: ‘O God, strengthen my hands.’ Consider the catalog of personal attacks in these chapters. There is intimidation. There is sabotage. There are threats. There is slander. And yet, Nehemiah’s prayer is not, ‘Lord, change this!’ What is it? ‘Lord, strengthen me. Silence my fears and make me strong in you.’” (Page 76)
- Title: God’s Word, Our Story: Learning from the Book of Nehemiah
- Authors: D. A. Carson, Kathleen Nielson
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2016
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Nehemiah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Nehemiah › Criticism, interpretation, etc
- Resource ID: LLS:GDSWRDRLRBKNHMH
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-05-02T16:38:37Z