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...

(a) Nehemiah's immediate reactions to the news about the state of affairs in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-11)

While Nehemiah was in Susa the capital, serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, his brother Hanani came with certain men from Judah. Nehemiah asked them about the Jews who had survived the exile and about Jerusalem. They told him that the survivors were in great trouble and shame, that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates had been destroyed by fire. On hearing this report, Nehemiah reacted at once in the following ways:

• He wept and mourned: When he heard these words, he sat down and wept, and mourned for days over the sad condition of the city and his people.
• He fasted: He continued fasting as a sign of grief and earnest seeking of God.
• He prayed to the God of heaven: He turned to God in prayer day and night on behalf of the people of Israel.
• He confessed the sins of his people: In his prayer he acknowledged and confessed the sins which the Israelites, including himself and his father's house, had committed against God, admitting that they had acted corruptly and not kept God's commandments.
• He appealed to God's covenant and promises: He reminded God of His steadfast love and of His promise that, though He had scattered them for their unfaithfulness, He would gather them again if they returned to Him and kept His commandments.
• He prayed for success and favour before the king: He asked God to grant him mercy and success in the presence of the king, whom he was about to approach for help, showing that he had already resolved to take action.

(b) Three virtues that can be learnt from Nehemiah's reactions

• Genuine love and concern for his people and nation: He was deeply moved by the plight of his fellow Jews and the ruined city, showing patriotism and compassion.
• Prayerfulness and dependence on God: Before doing anything, he committed the matter to God in fasting and prayer, seeking divine guidance and help.
• Humility and readiness to confess sin: He humbly acknowledged the sins of his people and his own, without pride or self-justification.

(Other acceptable virtues: faith in God's promises, courage and determination to act, and a sense of responsibility.)