Nehemiah 1:5-11 - Homiletics

A godly patriot's prayer.

Nehemiah's prayer; the substance of the prayers which he offered day and night for a considerable period. It is in various respects a model for our intercessions. In it are—

I. Lowly and trustful ADORATION . He addresses God as "Jehovah," the self- existent, immutable, and everlasting, the God of Israel; "God of heaven," he who dwells and reigns in heaven, and thence rules the earth; "the great God," infinite in all his perfections, filling heaven and earth with his presence, exalted above all; "the terrible God," to be dreaded by his foes and revered by his friends; "that keepeth," etc; faithful to his engagements, merciful, and kind; yet discriminating, showing his truth and mercy to those who love and obey him. By these representations Nehemiah at once expresses and increases his own reverence and confidence in approaching God on behalf of his people.

II. Earnest ENTREATY (verses 5, 6, 8, 11). "I beseech thee" "Let thine ear be attentive, etc. Earnestness and importunity necessary to success in prayer ( Luke 11:8 ).

III. Humble CONFESSIONS (verses 6, 7). Of the sins not only of the people in general, but of his family and himself. It is easy to confess the sins of others, but may conduce to self-flattery. The holiest men will be deeply conscious of their own sins, and of their part in the sins of the community, and ready to associate themselves with others in the confession of sin. In his confessions Nehemiah mentions the aggravations of the guilt of Israel's sins. They were committed—

Observe, that in seeking God's mercy towards sinners we ought ever to acknowledge their ill deserts, and his justice in the punishment of their sins.

IV. Powerful PLEAS .

1. The name of God (verse 5). The representation of God with which he commences is virtually a plea. "Thou hast shown thyself to be all-powerful, faithful, merciful; act once more according to thy nature, and thy regard for thy servants."

2. The promise of God (verses 8, 9). Nehemiah recognises that the threat to scatter the people had been fulfilled, and in effect prays that the promise to restore may be fulfilled also. "Do as thou hast said."

3. The relation of Israel to God. "Thy servants," "thy people."

4. His former exercise of power on their behalf. "Whom thou hast redeemed," etc. Referring to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (comp. Isaiah 51:9-11 , and the Christian parallel, Romans 8:32 ).

5. The description of persons uniting in the prayer (verse 11). Not only Nehemiah, but many others were praying for the returned Jews. It was

6. Nehemiah's own perseverance in the prayer (verse 6). "The prayer which I pray before thee now, day and night."

V. A PARTICULAR REQUEST (verse 11). Purposing to apply to the king for a commission and all facilities for leading his brethren out of their difficulties, and feeling how much depended on his obtaining his request, he begs him in whose hand is the heart of kings ( Proverbs 21:1 ) to grant success. It is remarkable that this is the only specific request. The prayer he and all good Jews were offering (verses 6-11) is not set forth. For his own part, he may have seen that the one thing needed for the relief of his brethren was a ruler and leader of character, authority, and capacity, armed with sufficient powers from the monarch, and that this was the one thing- to pray for at present. His willingness to be their leader evinced the sincerity of his concern for them. His prayer made manifest the humble dependence on Divine aid with which he was looking forward to the responsibilities of the enterprise he hoped to undertake.