Key Themes in Nehemiah

As you read the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, look for the following key themes. First, notice what it communicates about who God is and what type of relationship he desires to have with his people (pay careful attention to the prayers recorded throughout the account). Second, observe how God graciously work with and through individuals to accomplish the physical and spiritual rebuilding he intends for the survival of his covenant partners. Third, recognize the way in which Nehemiah emphasizes both the continuity of the Jewish remnant with the historic nation of Israel as well as their religious purity in the midst of a pluralistic context. In particular, discern the stress the text places on adhering to the law and avoiding syncretism. Keep in mind how vital or critical to the ongoing existence of the returned exiles it was that they fully understood and obeyed the ethical implications of the covenant (i.e., how essential it was for the people to know and keep the principles of the law).