Nehemiah, Part 9: The Ultimate Goal
July 23, 2026 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
This summer the men are invited to study the book of Nehemiah with one of four groups that will meet twice per month. Nehemiah, however, has valuable truths for the whole church family. I will use this avenue to share some of my findings from studying Nehemiah.
Why does Nehemiah risk so much for the wall construction project in Jerusalem? He was the cupbearer for arguably the most powerful man in the world. He lived in luxury and comfort. He had wealth and resources. And yet, when he heard of the dire state of Jerusalem, he left that life behind in order to travel 1,000 miles to a land he had never seen. He used his own resources to support the people and the project. He endured threats against his life and position. What was it all for?
We have already had a glimpse into the heart of Nehemiah when we considered his prayer in chapter 1. He is driven by a passion for the glory of God and the hope of mankind. This passion is fleshed out in a practical way in chapter 8, after the wall is complete. 6:15 stated, “The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.” Chapter 7 records a genealogy of those who returned at the first. So chapter 8 is the first recorded action of the people after the wall is complete. What do they do? They gather to hear the Word of God.
We read in 8:1, “And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord has commanded Israel.” This gathering was not possible until the wall was complete. The people were scattered outside of Jerusalem in nearby villages. It would not have been safe to gather in the open without the protection of the wall. The wall project provided the means for the people of God to glorify and enjoy God. This was the ultimate goal of Nehemiah.
Let’s consider some of the details of this gathering.
First, the Book of the Law of Moses is the first five books of our Bibles, Genesis through Deuteronomy. We might hear “Law of Moses” and think about the Ten Commandments, but this term covers the origin story of the world, humanity, and God’s covenant promises with Abraham and his offspring. We have seen evidence in his prayers that Nehemiah was familiar with this Scripture. The hearing of such Scripture would assure the people of God’s covenantal faithfulness to his people. It would shape their identity and lives.
Second, the Word of God is highly esteemed. Ezra stands on a wooden platform to elevate the Word among the people (v. 4). And all the people stood in reverence when Ezra opened the book (v. 5). “And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (v. 3). As Ezra prayed before reading the Word “all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (v. 6). All these actions demonstrate a high esteem for God’s Word. For many of these people there was not regular access to God’s Word. They cherished this moment.
Third, emotions are engaged as the people respond to the Word of God. In verse 9 we read, “All the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.” Like a mirror, the Word of God exposed the people to the ways they have been unfaithful to the Lord. They grieved their sin. But Nehemiah and Ezra do not leave the people in their grief. They said in verse 10, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Yes, the people sinned, but by God’s grace their sins are forgiven. It is “the joy of the Lord” to be “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex. 34:6). Obedience to the law is not our strength. God’s grace, his joy, is our strength. The people respond to this Good News in verse 12. “And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” From weeping to great rejoicing, this is the impact of God’s Word on his people.
Because of the wall project, the people were able to engage in their covenant relationship with God by hearing his Word. This will lead to the covenant renewal found in chapter 9 (more on that next week). This is the ultimate goal of Nehemiah. He sacrifices much for the sake of the wall project and then fades into the background as the Word of God is elevated in the presence of the people. In the same way, the priority of the church is the proclamation of God’s Word, the Good News of Jesus Christ, so that his people can commune with him. May we also sacrifice much for this ultimate goal.
