The Message of Nehemiah

by Raymond Brown

Overview

The book of Nehemiah is about starting over again. Nehemiah, one of Israel's great leaders, tells firsthand the powerful story of rebuilding ancient Jerusalem's walls after the exile. In the face of great odds, this rebuilding represented the people's renewal of faith, their overcoming of national shame, and the reformation of their conduct.

In this volume, Raymond Brown vividly sketches Nehemiah's historical and social setting and demonstrates the book's striking relevance for today. He explores the dominant themes of Nehemiah's doctrine of God, passion for Scripture, experience of prayer, and example of leadership. In describing Nehemiah the man, Brown concludes, "He must surely be regarded as one of the most inventive and resilient personalities in the rich tapestry of Old Testament biography."

Part of the beloved Bible Speaks Today series, The Message of Nehemiah offers an insightful, readable exposition of the biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for those studying or preaching the Bible and anyone who wants to delve deeper into the text.

This revised edition of a classic volume features lightly updated language and Scripture quotations with a new interior design.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781514005163
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	07/19/2022
Series:	The Bible Speaks Today Series
Edition description:	Revised, Revised Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Raymond Brown, formerly principal of Spurgeon's College in London, was a pastor for many years. He is the author of Philosophy of Religion, Why Believe?, and several volumes in IVP's Bible Speaks Today series.

Table of Contents

General preface
Author’s preface
Select bibliography
Chief abbreviations
Introduction

A. Rebuilding the walls (1:1–7:73)
1. The servant’s preparation (1:1-11)
2. The servant’s guidance (2:1-10)
3. The servant’s strategy (2:11-20)
4. The servant’s partners (3:1-32)
5. The servant’s confidence (4:1-23)
6. The servant’s compassion (5:1-19)
7. The servant’s protection (6:1-19)
8. The servant’s convictions (7:1-73)

B. Reforming the community (8:1–13:31)
9. ‘Bring out the Book’ (8:1-18)
10. Discovering more about God (9:1-37)
11. ‘But in your great mercy’ (9:1-37)
12. ‘Making a binding agreement’ (9:38–10:29)
13. Being specific (10:30-39)
14. Vocal archives (11:1 – 12:26)
15. Our ‘chief end’ (12:27-47)
16. ‘There it was found written’ (13:1-3)
17. Temple, marketplace and home (13:4-31)
18. Patterns of leadership (13:4-31)