Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, O LORDThe term "LORD" in this context is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often vocalized as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenantal relationship with Israel. Nehemiah's invocation of "O LORD" reflects a deep reverence and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and personal involvement in the lives of His people. It is a reminder of the intimate relationship believers are invited into, where God is not distant but near and personal. God of heaven
This phrase emphasizes God's supreme authority and dominion over all creation. The title "God of heaven" is used to distinguish the God of Israel from the pagan gods of the surrounding nations, who were often associated with specific localities or natural phenomena. By addressing God as the "God of heaven," Nehemiah acknowledges His universal power and the belief that He is the ultimate ruler over all earthly and heavenly realms. This recognition is crucial for believers, as it affirms that no situation is beyond God's control. the great and awesome God
The adjectives "great" and "awesome" highlight God's majesty and the reverential fear He inspires. The Hebrew word for "great" (gadol) conveys the idea of magnitude and importance, while "awesome" (yare) suggests a sense of awe and wonder. Nehemiah's description serves to remind believers of God's unparalleled greatness and the appropriate response of worship and reverence. It is a call to recognize God's power and holiness, which should inspire both confidence and humility in His followers. who keeps His covenant
The concept of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, representing a binding agreement between God and His people. The Hebrew word for "keeps" (shamar) implies careful attention and faithfulness. Nehemiah acknowledges God's unwavering commitment to His promises, underscoring the reliability and trustworthiness of God. This assurance of God's faithfulness is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, affirming that God will fulfill His promises and remain true to His word. of loving devotion
The phrase "loving devotion" translates the Hebrew word "chesed," which encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and loyalty. It is a covenantal term that describes God's steadfast love and enduring mercy towards His people. Nehemiah's recognition of God's "loving devotion" highlights the depth of God's commitment and care for His covenant people. For believers, this is a profound reminder of the unchanging and compassionate nature of God, who is always ready to extend grace and mercy. with those who love Him
This phrase emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. The Hebrew word for "love" (ahav) denotes deep affection and commitment. Nehemiah points out that God's covenantal blessings are extended to those who genuinely love Him, indicating that a personal and devoted relationship with God is essential. This serves as an encouragement for believers to cultivate a sincere love for God, which is expressed through obedience and faithfulness. and keep His commandments
The word "keep" (shamar) is repeated here, reinforcing the idea of careful observance and adherence. Nehemiah underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a demonstration of love and faithfulness. The commandments represent God's will and guidance for His people, and keeping them is a sign of loyalty and devotion. For believers, this is a call to live in accordance with God's word, recognizing that true love for God is manifested through obedience to His commands. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is the central figure in the book. He is known for his leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and his dedication to God. 2. JerusalemThe city of Jerusalem is central to the account. It is the holy city for the Jewish people, and its walls were in ruins at the time of Nehemiah's prayer. 3. God of HeavenThis title emphasizes God's sovereignty and supreme authority over all creation, a common theme in the post-exilic period. 4. CovenantRefers to the solemn agreement between God and His people, highlighting God's faithfulness and the expected response of obedience from His people. 5. CommandmentsThe laws given by God to the Israelites, which are central to their covenant relationship with Him. Teaching Points Recognizing God's SovereigntyNehemiah begins his prayer by acknowledging God as "the great and awesome God." This teaches us to start our prayers with a recognition of God's majesty and authority. Covenant FaithfulnessNehemiah emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant. We are reminded that God is always faithful, and we are called to respond with love and obedience. Prayer as a First ResponseNehemiah's immediate turn to prayer in a time of distress teaches us the importance of seeking God first in our challenges. Loving Devotion and ObedienceThe connection between loving God and keeping His commandments is crucial. Our love for God should manifest in our obedience to His Word. Intercessory PrayerNehemiah's prayer is intercessory, standing in the gap for his people. We are encouraged to pray not only for ourselves but also for others, especially in times of need. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Nehemiah's recognition of God's greatness and covenant faithfulness shape the way we approach God in prayer? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate our love for God through obedience to His commandments in our daily lives? 3. How does the concept of God's covenant faithfulness provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty? 4. What can we learn from Nehemiah's example about the importance of intercessory prayer for our communities and nations? 5. How do other biblical figures, like Daniel, model similar approaches to prayer, and what can we learn from their examples? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:9This verse speaks of God as a faithful keeper of His covenant, similar to Nehemiah's acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. Daniel 9:4Daniel's prayer also begins with a recognition of God's greatness and covenant faithfulness, paralleling Nehemiah's approach. Exodus 20:6This verse highlights God's loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, echoing Nehemiah's words. People Hachaliah, Hanani, Israelites, NehemiahPlaces Jerusalem, SusaTopics Awesome, Awful, Beg, Beseech, Commandments, Commands, Covenant, Faith, Feared, Fearful, Greatly, Heaven, Heavens, Keepeth, Keeping, Keeps, Kindness, Laws, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Mercy, O, Obey, Observe, Preserves, Steadfast, TerribleDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 1:5 1060 God, greatness of
1349 covenant, at Sinai
6687 mercy, God's
8208 commitment, to God
8304 loyalty Nehemiah 1:4-6 8653 importunity, to God Nehemiah 1:4-7 8604 prayer, response to God Nehemiah 1:4-11 6655 forgiveness, application
8618 prayerfulness Nehemiah 1:5-6 6667 grace, in OT Nehemiah 1:5-7 6624 confession, of sin Library The Church and Social Evils
'It came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.'--NEH. i. 4. Ninety years had passed since the returning exiles had arrived at Jerusalem. They had encountered many difficulties which had marred their progress and cooled their enthusiasm. The Temple, indeed, was rebuilt, but Jerusalem lay in ruins, and its walls remained as they had been left, by Nebuchadnezzar's siege, some century and a half before. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Nehemiah, the Praying Builder
We care not for your splendid abilities as a minister, or your natural endowment as an orator before men. We are sure that the truth of the matter is this: No one will or can command success and become a real praying soul unless intense application is the price. I am even now convinced that the difference between the saints like Wesley, Fletcher, Edwards, Brainerd, Bramwell, Bounds, and ourselves is energy, perseverance, invincible determination to succeed or die in the attempt. God help us.--Rev. …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Discouragements and Courage
'Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Nehemiah 1:5 NIVNehemiah 1:5 NLTNehemiah 1:5 ESVNehemiah 1:5 NASBNehemiah 1:5 KJV
Nehemiah 1:5 Commentaries
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