Damary Alembi

Why do Nehemiah's enemies want him to travel away from Jerusalem? Because they were scheming to harm him. Why do his enemies bribe the prophets? The prophets are paid to try to manipulate Nehemiah through fear to induce him to commit sin by going into the temple building. How are they hoping to hurt Nehemiah's integrity, will, and authority? By manipulating Nehemiah through fear to induce him to commit sin by going into the temple building. They wished they could get him to break Mosaic Law, so that they discredit him among the Jews, destroying his reputation and ability to lead, and thus derailing the wall-building project just before it can be completed. Temptations to sin in order to undermine moral authority. How is your enemy trying to make you stumble? By laying traps for me.

Why doesn't Nehemiah wait until he isn't so busy to deal with the complaints of the poor who are being oppressed? Because of poverty. People were hunger stricken that they could not work when they are weak. What is the chief motivation of their oppressors? Famine in the land. Demands caused food prices to skyrocket. There was an economic and social disaster ongoing. Those without lands were being sold into slavery to repay the money people had borrowed. The prices of all items (necessities) went up. Their crop had failed so they were forced to purchase food. How does Nehemiah deal with the issue? He called a large meeting to deal with the situation. He used his authority as governor to severely and public reprimand the rich who were taking advantage of the poor. He bought back Jews slavery from Gentiles and forbid the sale of other Jews to pay their debts. He demanded the end of high interest rates Demanded to confiscate lands and return of excessive interests. He also pronounced a curse on those who did not comply. Why are church leaders sometimes quicker to deal with the complaints of the wealthy than those of the poor? Because they depend on their offerings. What motivates these leaders? Huge sums of money that they receive in form of tithes and offerings from the wealthy.

How does Nehemiah respond to his enemies' ridicule? He responded with a two fold strategy: Nehemiah called upon God to vindicate their cause (Nehemiah 4:4-5). Just as Jesus did not answer his accusers and those who mocked him (1Peter 2:23) How does Nehemiah respond to military threats? He responded with a two fold strategy (i) He prayed to God (ii) (ii) He posted a 24 hour guard to protect the city. What effect does this have on construction? The work slowed but it was necessary to allocate guards. How does Nehemiah respond to discouragement and fear in the people? He developed a 2 fold plan to provide defense. (i) Reinforce the most vulnerable places in the wall and (ii) Armed the workers so as to provide security even while they are working He encouraged them not to be afraid of them. He encouraged them to fight for their families. He set a personal example of constant preparedness, as what they people see their leaders doing, they are likely to emulate (Nehemiah 4:1-23) How do you respond to discouragement and fear? I retreat. What "walls" need to be rebuilt in your life to protect you from temptation and sin? Vulnerability to temptations, failing to arm ourselves daily. Not trusting God, unpreparedness and week, not able to defend ourselves, distraction of sin.

Why does Nehemiah need to build the walls quickly? Because of security. The city needed immediate security. A years-long wall construction process would have given many opportunities for military attacks by Jerusalem’s enemies. A quick construction gives the enemy only a narrow window of time to attack, and Nehemiah’s heavy guard forestalls such an attack until the wall is complete. Forestalling Appeals. Jerusalem’s enemies have a history of stopping wall repair by appeals to the Persian King (Ezra 4:5-23; 5:1-17). With a shorter construction period, there isn’t enough time to send a message to Mesopotamia and then get back a reply before the wall is fully repaired. At that point, any order to cease repair is moot. Why does he assign so many teams? So that the project doesn’t seem as overwhelming. Because the work to be done was a lot. What motivates these teams? The blessings God had granted to Nehemiah. Nehemiah had told them about the gracious hand of God upon him and what the King said to him. They did not also want the sections of the wall close to their home to fall under attack. Nehemiah explained to them to understand the advantages of a completed wall and a secure city. What kinds of problems would Nehemiah need to solve with so many teams working simultaneously? To keep them encouraged of the God’s good deeds. To set a personal example of constant preparedness. Enemies and Security. He had to assign half his workforce to defense. This slowed completion, but was necessary. Managing defense is a complex task. Leadership – Each team needs instructions in how to move and set huge stores. Material – This involved ordering timber from far places. As everything needed to be on site before construction began.

Why does he fast and weep? When he heard that “Those who survived the exile and were back were in great trouble and distraced. The wall of Jerusalem was broken down and it’s gates had been burnt down. Isn't that excessive? No, it was not excessive.

Do you think Shecaniah's solution to the people's sin of intermarriage was from God? Yes, this solution was from God. This was the word of wisdom. Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my Lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.” This was God’s spirit leading his repentant forwards.” Can you think of any other examples in the Bible of prophetic "words of wisdom" directing God's people at crisis points? How do the people respond to Schecaniah's radical solution? The people acknowledged that they had sinned and that they must do what has been commanded. The main agreed loudly: “You are right! We must do as you say.” Only 4 opposed the idea/the proposal. How does Ezra implement it? He took this radical counsel as from the Lord, and puts the leaders under the oath to carry out this decision lest they change their minds later. Ezra rose up and put the leading Priests and Levites and all Israel under oath to do what had been suggested and they took the oath (Ezra 10:5)

How does Ezra react when he hears of the sin of intermarriage? He was appelled. He tore his tunic and cloak, pulled hair from his head and beard and sat down appelled. Does he react for show? It was not a kind of show. It was not for a public show. Rather, the sins of the leaders of the nation rip at his heart. He is beside himself with anguish for Judah because he knows history. He knows the word. He knows how punishment for these very sins have been visited upon the nation in the past, and he can see that happening in the future. But he can also see God’s mercy. And that brings him to prayer. Does he over-react? No, he thought of the punishment that will come upon the nation agin for this terrible sin. Why does he grieve over the sins of the people? He knows how punishment for these very sins have been visited upon the nation in the past, and he can see that happening in the future. But he can also see God’s mercy. And that brings him to prayer. What is wrong with us if we don't grieve over the sins of God's people? We believe that because we live in cultures that have no concept of “sin” … only bad bahaviour and mistakes; we do not tremble at the words of the God of Israel.

Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? This is because access of money has a way of tempting people to steal it … or embezzle it from the organizations they work. Is this an act of distrust? It is both wise and biblical to set up measures to ensure that trusted people don’t embezzle God’s funds. It is not that they do not trust one another, but it is well known from sad experience that even the best people can be tempted by greed. Taking precaution is wise. If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? t is both wise and biblical to set up measures to ensure that trusted people don’t embezzle God’s funds. It is not that they do not trust one another, but it is well known from sad experience that even the best people can be tempted by greed but wise to take precaution.

Why does Ezra call the people to fast? Because he was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect them from enemies on the road. Because he had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So they fasted and petitioned God about it and he surely answered their prayer (Ezra 8:21-23). Ezra had been boasting to king Artaxerxes how might the Jewish God is, so he could not very well ask for an army escort. That would display unbelief in God’s power to protect him. Does fasting compel God to answer our prayers? Fasting isn’t some form of spiritual blackmail or earning favour to manipulate God to do things for us. Rather it is a way of humbling ourselves before God. What does fasting accomplish in us? Fasting helps us to be aware of our need for God, rather than continue to be self-deceived by a sense of self-sufficiency. Our prayers become humble, earnest and faith-filled.

Paul was broken-hearted for his countrymen the Jews, who had rejected the Messiah. We should be too. When do you think the prophecy will be fulfilled that says, "They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn...?" In the end times when repentance and cleansing will come. When God will have poured out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. (Zechariah 12:10). Concerning the fountain that cleanses from sin and impurity (Zechariah 13:1), has that been fulfilled, or will it be future? This will be in future. Why will it please God so much when all the Jews finally believe in Jesus? Because they will call on his name after repenting of their sins. They will recognize his might.

Why is God so condemnatory towards shepherds or leaders who take advantage of their office and exploit the people? Because the shepherd does not care for the lost, or seek the young or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but eats the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs. Those leaders do not care for those that they lead. They are selfish. They do not care for the people but instead exploit them. What is Jesus' standard for leaders (Mark 10:42-45). Jesus’ standard is to be a servant. What would it look like in government if we followed Jesus' standard? What would it look like in your workplace? The workplace environment will be conducive for all. There will be no oppression, instead there will be freedom and harmony. In your church? The church and congregants will be loyal. There will be freedom and relations will just be right. In your home? No oppression in the homestead. There will be harmony.

What does it look like to operate from a policy of mercy and compassion? Mercy triumphs over judgment. God’s mercy never comes to an end, they are new every morning. Justness, steadfast love, and compassion are attributes of God’s character. God commands justice for the poor and oppressed in our culture. How can we be sure that the poor are treated justly in our courts? God commands us to follow his example of doing what is good, right and pleasing in his eyes. It is stated that he defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the alien. How do you treat aliens in your country, sojourners from another land? They are given legal rights to live in the country. They are treated with dignity. Why is speaking truthfully with others so important to God? This is because our God is a God of truth.

In what ways have we Christians tended to make worship about us, rather than about God? We have neglected gathering to worship God so that we might be involved in recreation and sports or sleep in. Our worship at church is about our enjoyment .. feeling good, receiving comfort and being “fed” … rather than offering honour and fresh heart surrender to God. How should we evaluate our churches and our worship patterns? We have turned God’s occasions in our own way i.e. fasting days have turned to self-pity whereas feast days have become excuse to partying rather than real celebrations of Yahweh. Our worship has been made up only of rules taught by men (Isaiah 29:13) What can we do to make our personal worship a matter of the heart, and not just rote readings and prayer? We need to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We should stop bringing meaningless offerings and rather repent humbling before God Almighty.

Why do we so easily fall into the trap of trying to do God's work with our own strength? We get discourages when things are not working our way, our attitude fails us. We do this by telling ourselves that we never could have done it anyway. We tend to become impatient and despiseful. Ehen we are attacked by the enemy. Also listening to fall voices of discouragement. What does it mean, "Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit"? Things do not happen by human’s doing but God’s mighty power and strength. Not by the might of a human being but by the power of the spirit of our Lord God. It takes the spirit of God to make things possible. God chooses anointed men and women to build his kingdom. Not perfect men and women, but those who will stand as channels of his anointing, his spirit and his power (Zechariah 4:1-14). How might you apply this truth to your life? Can apply this by leaving everything to God, allowing him to take control of all our actions and desires. We should not despise anything. i.e. must not be discouraged by “the day of small things” Rather, we trust God to increase what he has began. Zechariah 4: We are encouraged not to despise small things. God’s work does not need man’s power and might, rather it requires people of faith who will rely on the mighty and power of the spirit (Zechariah 4:6-7) Anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth. The way to God begins with repentance – away from evil and towards God. Otherwise, the consequences of our sin will overtake us (Zechariah 1:3-6)

What do Joshua's filthy clothes represent? They represent SIN. How does God deal with this? By clothing with clean, rich garments. Cleansing and forgiveness. What message is this prophecy intended to convey to Joshua the High Priest? That God is the creator of heaven and earth. He forgives all kinds of sin. When he cleanses you he does it in totality. God is in the cleansing and restoration business. God is a God of second chance, he saved and rescued. How might this message apply to Christian leaders who have sinned? That God is a God of another chance. We are assured that Jesus is in the business of cleansing and restoration, all you need to do is to surrender yourself to him and all the rest will be history.

Why, in this passage, do you think the prophet calls all mankind to be still before him? This is because God is ready to act. So often we yammer and complain to God. We fault him for not acting on our behalf according to our own timetable. We act as if we know best and that God is asleep. How foolish. Faith doesn’t need noise. In the context of God aroused to protect his people from attack, why is silence appropriate? Silence is appropriate because faith doesn’t need noise. Stillness before our awesome God is appropriate. It is promised that “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent (Exodus 14:14) For the enemy of God, what does silence represent? Silence represents defeat, panic, frustration and having given up. For the believer, what does silence before God represent? It represents a trust in God to take care of us and our situation. We can trust Him. FEAR and AWE.

Why is a message of repentance from sin such an important part of the Gospel? Because it warns people to turn away from their sinful ways and obey God Almighty. Disobedience has disastrous consequences. What happens when we remove repentance from the core message of Jesus? It will be impossible to repent. God does not forget nor does he forget continual patterns of sin as both keep one from closeness to God and subject one to severe discipline from God if we continue in them. God withdraws his blessings. Why do you think God wants you to repent of all known sin? So that you may observe his commands and decrees he gave us. So that we may return to him and to follow him. So as to be close to us and also bless us. He wants us to be obedient.

In what way is Haggai's image of Zerubbabel being God's signet intended to encourage Zerubbabel? A signate ring is a seal made of engraved stone that is impressed in clay or waz to authenticate a document or an order. It is a humbling and deeply personal assurance from God himself that the Lord is with him. What is the power of a leader's signet? Is the authority of the one who gives the orders. How does listening to God's Spirit make you effective as his agent? He knows and love me. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, to the very end of the Age. Because listening to God enables one to be armed with his wisdom. He guides us in all that we have to do. Executing God’s orders with God’s own authority as we listen to his spirit, we today can act and speak with God’s own authority, with Jesus’ own words of love and power. Our disobedience can result in God’s discipline or in God withholding his blessings. He takes pleasure in us… and in his house…. When we obey him. We should seek his pleasure, not our own. In what ways are you authorized to speak and act for Jesus? By listening to his spirit.

What kinds of things defile a disciple today? Defiled things make disciples defiled. Taking what belongs to God. Being unclean in the eyes of God. Staying away from God. Not repenting. We can be defiled by participating in unclean practices of the world. Contact with holy things such as church work does not make us holy. We are cleansed only through repentance, confession, and faith that God forgives us (Haggai 2:10-14) What is the danger of acting as if doing church work somehow makes us holy by association? The danger is that unless we return to God by repenting of all our sins, we cannot be holy. The danger is that we think we are holy by virtue of doing church work. How does a believer deal with spiritual defilement and sin? A believer deals with a spiritual defilement by repenting of their sins and returning to the Lord. With repentance comes God’s blessings Haggai 2:15-19. Repentance and obedience change things. As we follow Jesus we can expect to see his blessings, both spiritually and materially. We can execute God’s orders with God’s own authority, if we can act and speak with God’s own authority, with Jesus own words of love and power, as we listen to him.

Discouragement is a common experience. What command does God give Joshua the high priest? Be strong O Joshua and work, for he is with them. He assured that his spirit remains among them. “Don not fear”. God spoke to Zerubbabel, to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. What assurance does he give? He assures that his spirit will remain among them. Therefore, they should be strong. “Don not be terrified, do not be discouraged, the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 To deal with your own times of discouragement, what would God's command and assurance be for you? God’s assurance would be that “Be still and know that I am God.” My spirit is with you always. God assures by his provision. Encouraging words from the Lord God Almighty. As he encouraged them “Be strong and work.” How would you implement them? By being strong, courageous and then to work while trusting him to give us strength to do it. “Whatever God gives us to do, is possible when he is with us.”

God sometimes disciplines us through hardships and circumstances (Hebrews 12:7-11). Sometimes through us not having all that we need. What is such discipline intended to do in our lives?To teach us to return to our God. To enable us obey God as he blesses those who obey him. Are you experiencing hardship? What is God trying to say to you in the midst of it? He wants to get our attention.

God does not take pleasure when I do not do what pleases him. He does when I am obedient to his commands.

What do repentance and separation from the sins of our culture look like for a disciple today? How should we prepare ourselves to worship Jesus in the Lord's Supper? We should prepare by repenting and separating ourselves from the works of the devil – SIN. How should we prepare to serve him with purity day by day? We can do this by confessing our sins and repenting from the areas of our lives that reflect “the unclean practices of our Gentile” neighbours. “If we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, purifies us from all sin … if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:7,9) Repentance and separation from the sins of our culture, both to prepare ourselves to worship him in the Lord’s supper, and to serve him with purity day by day.

Sometimes uncommitted people try to co-opt true worship for their own ends, as did the enemies of the Jews. What is the danger of letting people without a deep heart commitment and close walk with God redesign the church's image in the community? The danger is that they tend to lure one in their own believes. They mix, corrupt the mind, by mixing believes. They want to retain control. Start fighting over certain rights. Redesign worship? Personal restoration. To restore worship. Redesign the preaching? How can we be innovative and still be faithful to God's heart? So long as the works of innovation is directed towards glorifying our God.

Rebuilding the temple in order to restore worship is the point of all this work. Is your personal worship what it should be? Yes, ……. What foundations do you need to lay again in your personal restoration and revival of faith? Dedication, goodwill/willingness and acceptance to do what is right….