'Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.'

Introducing Nehemiah; background information, the shocking news of failure from Judah, the diagnosis ('our fault'), the admirable prayer, the sacrificial decision to go, and the plea to the king. Twelve key applications - qualifications which secured Nehemiah's 'call' to a mission of civic and spiritual recovery

All the prayers of the book reviewed, long and short, to see how God's servant prayed; his petitions, anxieties, and arguments up to his final 'eschatological' pleas looking forward to the revealing of Christ. All the prayers may be ours, and have the last Great Day in view.

'And 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.' Full chapter _____________ Nehemiah 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month…

'And 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.'

The demoralised state of Judah (because faith failed) compared with the torpidity of our reformed churches in Britain. Lessons from the hostility of enemies to the stirring of Zion, plus weaknesses within and the need for watchfulness by churches and individual believers. Things to be watched.

'Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah.'

"And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live." Nehemiah 5:1-2

'Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall..that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together.. but they thought to do me mischief.'

Progress reveals enemies who show friendship but plot to kill, and other subtle attempts to stop the work - applications for today. Here also is a brief survey of the duty of biblical separation, its necessity, and the scope for discretion.

The order of reform (temple-walls-populating) equals: (1) worship, (2) defining and defending the faith, (3) evangelism. The calamitous reinvention of the church by evangelicals who reject God's pattern. Also the revival of exposition and reverent worship, and the promotion of true joy in the Lord.

The remnant re-establishing Jerusalem were to enter into formal covenant with God, a type of the sense of obligation and commitment of believers today. Here is the remarkable pattern for true worship and consecration and a list of personal obligations, derived from the chapter.

'Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.'

The wall is complete, but within a few years the enemy is given quarters in the Temple. Confessions of faith are vital but the enemy may still enter by polluted practices. The entry of the world into the church, and what we should do.

'On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever.'