SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (a) Outline Nehemiah's immediate reactions to the news about the state of affairs in Jerusalem (b) Identify three v...

Answer Details

a) In Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah receives news that the people in Jerusalem are in great trouble and disgrace, and the walls of the city are broken down. He is deeply saddened and mourns and fasts for days, praying to God for guidance and mercy. He confesses the sins of his people and pleads with God to remember His promise to restore the people of Israel.

b) From Nehemiah's reactions, we can learn several virtues. First, we can learn the importance of empathy and compassion. Nehemiah is deeply moved by the suffering of his people and is not content to simply go on with his life unaffected. He takes action and seeks to help them in any way he can. Second, we can learn the importance of prayer and seeking God's guidance. Nehemiah turns to God in his distress and asks for wisdom and strength to help his people. Third, we can learn the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and the actions of our community. Nehemiah confesses the sins of his people and acknowledges their failures, even though he himself may not have been directly involved. These virtues can inspire us to be more compassionate, prayerful, and responsible in our own lives and communities.