Nehemiah For You
How did God’s people rebuild after returning from exile? In Nehemiah For You, Eric Mason shows us strength to build for God.
Accessible and Versatile
As part of the God’s Word For You series from The Good Book Company, this excellent expository Bible-study guide to Nehemiah is accessible and versatile. At under 200 pages, it is a fitting devotional read but also helpful for preachers and teachers. Mason is quick to note that Nehemiah is often used in reference to rebuilding – whether it be homes, churches, or communities. But he does not want us to miss the bigger themes of gospel mission, redemption, and providence.
Mason is skilled at matching the context of Nehemiah to modern times. For instance, he says that the setting of the story is the “Persian version of Mardi Gras.” And as cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah is “basically the king’s personal bartender.” It really helped the story come to life! Of course, this all serves the purpose to show us the meaning of the text, which is that Nehemiah was put there on purpose for a specific purpose. Nehemiah recognized his place of privilege, and he sought to give glory to God.
Seeing Jesus
I was most interested to see how Mason relates Nehemiah to Jesus Christ. Just as Nehemiah enters into the people’s issues and includes his lot with theirs, so does Christ. Just as Nehemiah was in a high place at the right hand of his king but came down to Jerusalem to help his people, so does Christ. The parallels are unmistakeable, and Mason makes sure you see it.
In Nehemiah 3, Mason explains the Sheep Gate and how it made a way for the sacrificial sheep to come in that way. This was the first gate to be repaired. The Sheep Gate was the only gate that was consecrated, and this consecrated the entire wall. There were also no bolts or bars – there were no locks on it, signifying that the door to salvation is ever open for the sinner. This gate is a beautiful symbol of the cross.
Christ Our Cornerstone
I was most moved to see how Nehemiah provides parallels to slavery and oppression in the United States. Mason points out that the “Jewish brothers” in Nehemiah 5 walked in some type of blindness in order to justify the mistreatment of their Jewish brothers. Mason holds them accountable, but also shows that injustice is a failure to have the fear of God. Repentance is crucial, but the ultimate answer is in the forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus.
This book also has the strength of giving several specific applications at the end of each section. I was most excited to see the finished wall at the end of the book, but I was also hit with a sense of sorrow. There were compromises to the commitments made by God’s people, and Nehemiah had to make things right. Ultimately, these rebuilt walls were not the true end-goal. We look to Christ, our Cornerstone, and his Kingdom. He is building that Kingdom now, and I am humbled to partake in it.
I received a media copy of Nehemiah For You and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.