Jensens survey of the old testament adam 138
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of Nehemiah.
E. PURPOSES
In general, the book of Nehemiah seeks to
show how God favored His people, so
recently exiled, by strengthening their roots
in the homeland of Judah in the face of all
kinds of opposition.
Speci cally, the book shows how the
broken-down walls of Jerusalem and the
failing faith of the Jews were restored,
through (1) the competent leadership of
Nehemiah, a man of prayer and faith; and
(2) through a host of Jewish brethren, who
responded to the divine challenge to rise
and build.
VIII. SURVEY OF NEHEMIAH
1. Scan the book, chapter by chapter,
observing such things as organization of a
theme, and the prevailing atmosphere.
2. Concerning organization:
Is there an introduction and conclusion to
the book?
Is the book mainly narrative? How much, if
any, is autobiographical?
Is there a progression?
Is there a turning point?
Observe the places in the book where lists
appear. (These are of various kinds.)
3. Concerning atmosphere, what is the
general tone of the book? Reread the rst
few verses of each chapter and observe the
intensity of the tone involved. Note
especially these verses: 1:4; 2:1; 4:1; 5:1;
6:1; 8:1; 9:1; 13:1.
4. Observe also the simplicity in which the
action is described. There are no
embellishments of a litterateur attempting to
give color to the drama. The intensity of the
action remains even in the simplicity of the
reporting. One writer has remarked, “We see
throughout the writing of an honest, earnest
man,—and through him the history closes
with a sublime dignity.”16
5. What are your rst impressions of the
book of Nehemiah? Does any passage of the
book stand out prominently in your mind? If
so, what?
6. Now reread the book of Nehemiah
more slowly. Record chapter titles on paper.
(Note the divisional points at 6:15; 7:736;
12:27; and 12:44 shown on Chart 60. Why
are divisions made at these places?)
7. Always be on the lookout for key words
and phrases as you study.
8. Identify the main characters of the
book. Among other things, note when Ezra
appears in the story. Also, who are the most
frequently mentioned enemies of Nehemiah?
9. Make a note of Nehemiah’s prayers in
the book’s first and last chapters.
10. What is the key project of the story?
How is the book organized around this
project? Where is the rst activity of that
project recorded? What verse records the
project’s completion? How long did the
project last? Try making some outlines of
the book’s story.
11. In your own words, write out a theme
for the book. Also, suggest a title.
12. Study carefully the survey Chart 60.
Compare its observations and outlines with
your own work thus far.
13. Observe that 7:736 marks a turning
point on Chart 60. Some Bible students
locate the main division at 7:1, which would
make the passage 7:1-73a the opening of the
second half of the book. Because of the
nonnarrative nature of most of this passage,
