THE TEMPLE

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THE TEMPLE

• SOLOMONS TEMPLE
• SOLOMON FINISHED THE TEMPLE (959 BC)?
• DESTROYED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR (586 BC)?
• ZERUBBABELS TEMPLE
• RECONSTRUCTION UNDER CYRUS (536 BC)?
• BUILDING CEASES UNDER ARTAXERXES (17 YEARS)?
• BUILDING CONTINUES UNDER DARIUS (519 BC)?
• TEMPLE COMPLETED UNDER DARIUS (516 BC)?
• (516-458 BC)?
• HERODS TEMPLE
• CONSTRUCTION BEGAN (20 BC)?
• COMPLETED 46 YEARS (JOHN 220) (64 AD)?

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PEOPLE TO REMEMBER

• NEBUCHADNEZZAR - DESTROYED JERUSALEM (586 BC)?
• ARTAXERXES - KING OF PERSIA 465-425 BC?
• LONGIMANUS - SON OF XERXES
• NEHEMIAH - COMFORTED OF YAHWEH
• SON OF HACHALIAH - BROTHER OF HANANI 445-433 BC?
• ADVERSARIES OF NEHEMIAH
• SANBALLAT THE HORONITE - GOVERNOR OF SAMARIA
• TOBIAH THE AMMONITE - JOINT GOVERNOR WITH
  SANBALLAT
• GESHEM THE ARAB - CHIEF OF THE ARABS IN SAMARIA
• ELIASHIB THE HIGH PRIEST

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OUTLINE NEHEMIAH CHAPTER FOUR

• SANBALLAT AND TOBIAH MOCK THE JEWS
• AND TRY TO PREVENT THE COMPLETING OF THE WALL. V.
  1-3
• NEHEMIAH PRAYS AGAINST HIS ENEMIES
• THE PEOPLE COMPLETE ONE-HALF OF THE WALL. V. 4-6
• ARABIANS, AMMONITES AND ASHDODITES
• COME TO FIGHT AGAINST THE JEWS. V. 7-8
• JEWS COMMEND THEMSELVES TO GOD AND
• ARE DETERMINED TO FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES. V. 9-16
• THEY FORM TWO BANDS ONE-HALF WORKING
• ONE-HALF ARMED TO FIGHT THEIR ENEMIES.
  V. 17-18
• NEHEMIAH IS CAUTIOUS TO PREVENT ANY SURPRISE
• THEY ALL LABOR WITH GREAT FERVOR IN THE WORK.
  V. 19-22

4
READ NEHEMIAH 41-3

• 1 So it happened, when Sanballat heard that we
  were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and
  very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
• 2 He spoke before his brethren and the army of
  Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews
  doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they
  offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day?
  Will they revive the stones from the heaps of
  rubbish-- stones that are burned?
• 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he
  said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up
  on it, he will break down their stone wall."

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 41-3

• 1 So it happened, when Sanballat heard that we
  were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and
  very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
• HOW DID SANBALLAT REACT TO THE REBUILDING OF THE
  WALL?

6
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 41-3

• 2 He spoke before his brethren and the army of
  Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews
  doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they
  offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day?
  Will they revive the stones from the heaps of
  rubbish-- stones that are burned?
• WHAT DID HE SAY TO THE SAMARITANS?
• COULD THEY RECLAIM STONES FROM THE RUBBLE?

7
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 41-3

• 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he
  said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up
  on it, he will break down their stone wall."
• WHAT DID TOBIAH SAY?
• WERE FOXES COMMON TO JERUSALEM?
• READ LAMENTATIONS 518
• 18 ....Mount Zion is desolate with foxes walking
  about it. (NKJ)
• READ SONG OF SOLOMON 215
• 15 Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that
  spoil the vines, for our vines have tender
  grapes. (NKJ)

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READ NEHEMIAH 44-6

• 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised turn
  their reproach on their own heads, and give them
  as plunder to a land of captivity!
• 5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let
  their sin be blotted out from before You for
  they have provoked You to anger before the
  builders.
• 6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was
  joined together up to half its height, for the
  people had a mind to work.

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 44-6

• 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised turn
  their reproach on their own heads, and give them
  as plunder to a land of captivity!
• 5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let
  their sin be blotted out from before You for
  they have provoked You to anger before the
  builders.
• HOW DID NEHEMIAH RESPOND TO THEIR RIDICULE?
• WHAT DOES HE ASK GOD TO DO? WHY?
• HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO RIDICULE?
• READ MATTHEW 543-45

10
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 44-6

• HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO RIDICULE?
• READ MATTHEW 543-45
• 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall
  love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
• 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless
  those who curse you, do good to those who hate
  you, and pray for those who spitefully use you
  and persecute you,
• 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in
  heaven for He makes His sun rise on the evil and
  on the good, and sends rain on the just and on
  the unjust. (NKJ)

11
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 44-6

• 6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was
  joined together up to half its height, for the
  people had a mind to work.
• HOW DID THIS EFFECT THEIR WORK?
• WHAT WERE THEY ABLE TO ACOMPLISH?
• WHY?

12
READ NEHEMIAH 47-9

• 7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the
  Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard
  that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored
  and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that
  they became very angry,
• 8 And all of them conspired together to come and
  attack Jerusalem and create confusion.
• 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and
  because of them we set a watch against them day
  and night.

13
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 47-9

• 7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the
  Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard
  that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored
  and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that
  they became very angry,
• 8 And all of them conspired together to come and
  attack Jerusalem and create confusion.
• HOW DID THEIR ENEMIES RESPOND TO THEIR WORK?
• WHAT DID THEY CONSPIRE TO DO? WHY?

14
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 47-9

• 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and
  because of them we set a watch against them day
  and night.
• WHAT DID THE JEWS DO?
• WAS IS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO SET A WATCH?
• ARE THERE TIMES WHEN WE SHOULD PRAY?
• AND THEN DO WHAT WE CAN DO?

15
READ NEHEMIAH 410-12

• 10 Then Judah said, "The strength of the laborers
  is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we
  are not able to build the wall."
• 11 And our adversaries said, "They will neither
  know nor see anything, till we come into their
  midst and kill them and cause the work to cease."
• 12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them
  came, that they told us ten times, "From whatever
  place you turn, they will be upon us."

16
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 410-12

• 10 Then Judah said, "The strength of the laborers
  is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we
  are not able to build the wall."
• WHY WAS JUDAH COMPLAINING?
• WAS HE TIRED? WAS HE DISCOURAGED?
• WERE THEY NOT ABLE TO BUILD THE WALL?
• READ GALATIANS 69
• 9 Let us not be weary in well doing for in due
  season we shall reap, if we faint not. (KJV)

17
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 410-12

• 11 And our adversaries said, "They will neither
  know nor see anything, till we come into their
  midst and kill them and cause the work to cease."
• 12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them
  came, that they told us ten times, "From whatever
  place you turn, they will be upon us.
• WHAT DID THEIR ADVERSARIES SAY?
• WHO WERE THE JEWS WHO DWELT NEAR THEM?
• WHAT IS THEY TOLD US TEN TIMES? REPEATEDLY?
• WHAT DID THEY SAY? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

18
READ NEHEMIAH 413-15

• 13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower
  parts of the wall, at the openings and I set the
  people according to their families, with their
  swords, their spears, and their bows.
• 14 I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to
  the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do
  not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great
  and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your
  sons, your daughters, your wives, and your
  houses."
• 15 It happened, when our enemies heard that it
  was known to us, and that God had brought their
  plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the
  wall, everyone to his work.

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 413-15

• 13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower
  parts of the wall, at the openings and I set the
  people according to their families, with their
  swords, their spears, and their bows.
• HOW DID NEHEMIAH RESPOND TO THEIR THREATS?
• WHY SET THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILIES?
• FAMILIES WHO PRAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER?

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 413-15

• 14 I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to
  the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do
  not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great
  and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your
  sons, your daughters, your wives, and your
  houses."
• WHO IS NEHEMIAH SPEAKING TO?
• WHY DID HE TELL THEM DO NOT BE AFRAID?
• WHO DID HE TELL THEM TO REMEMBER?
• WHY DID HE TELL THEM FIGHT?

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 413-15

• DO NOT BE AFRAID - BE STRONG
• READ JOSHUA 1025
• 25 Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be
  dismayed be strong and of good courage, for thus
  the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom
  you fight. (NKJ)
• READ 2 CHRONICLES 157
• 7 "But you, be strong and do not let your hands
  be weak, for your work shall be rewarded! (NKJ)

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 413-15

• DO NOT BE AFRAID - BE STRONG
• READ ISAIAH 354
• 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be
  strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come
  with vengeance, with the recompense of God he
  will come and save you. (NKJ)
• READ HAGGAI 24
• 4 'Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD
  'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the
  high priest and be strong, all you people of the
  land,' says the LORD, 'and work for I am with
  you,' says the LORD of hosts. (NKJ)

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 413-15

• DO NOT BE AFRAID - BE STRONG
• READ 1 CORINTHIANS 1613
• 13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be
  strong. (NKJ)
• READ EPHESIANS 610
• 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord
  and in the power of His might. (NKJ)

24
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 413-15

• 15 It happened, when our enemies heard that it
  was known to us, and that God had brought their
  plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the
  wall, everyone to his work.
• WHAT WAS MADE KNOWN TO THE JEWS?
• WHAT HAD GOD DONE CONCERNING THEIR PLOT?
• HOW DID THE JEWS RESPOND TO THIS?

25
READ NEHEMIAH 416-18

• 16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my
  servants worked at construction, while the other
  half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and
  wore armor and the leaders were behind all the
  house of Judah.
• 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who
  carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with
  one hand they worked at construction, and with
  the other held a weapon.
• 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded
  at his side as he built. And the one who sounded
  the trumpet was beside me.

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 416-18

• 16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my
  servants worked at construction, while the other
  half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and
  wore armor and the leaders were behind all the
  house of Judah.
• WHAT WAS THEIR PLAN FROM THAT TIME ON?
• WERE THEY WILLING TO WORK?
• WERE THEY WILLING TO FIGHT?
• WHAT DID THE LEADERS DO?

27
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 416-18

• 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who
  carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with
  one hand they worked at construction, and with
  the other held a weapon.
• 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded
  at his side as he built. And the one who sounded
  the trumpet was beside me.
• WERE THEY PREPARED TO WORK AND FIGHT?
• WHO WAS BESIDE NEHEMIAH? WHY?

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READ NEHEMIAH 419-21

• 19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the
  rest of the people, "The work is great and
  extensive, and we are separated far from one
  another on the wall.
• 20 "Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet,
  rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.
• 21 So we labored in the work, and half of the men
  held the spears from daybreak until the stars
  appeared.

29
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 419-21

• 19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the
  rest of the people, "The work is great and
  extensive, and we are separated far from one
  another on the wall.
• 20 "Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet,
  rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.
• WHAT DID NEHEMIAH SAY ABOUT THE WORK?
• WHY WAS IT CONSIDERED DANGEROUS?
• WHEN WERE THEY TO RALLY TOGETHER?
• WHO WILL FIGHT FOR THEM?

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 419-21

• WHO WILL BLOW THE TRUMPET? WHY?
• READ EZEKIEL 332-5
• 2 "Son of man, speak to the children of your
  people, and say to them 'When I bring the sword
  upon a land, and the people of the land take a
  man from their territory and make him their
  watchman,
• 3 When he sees the sword coming upon the land,
  if he blows the trumpet and warns the people,
• 4 Then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet
  and does not take warning, if the sword comes and
  takes him away, his blood shall be on his own
  head.
• 5 'He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not
  take warning his blood shall be upon himself.
  But he who takes warning will save his life. (NKJ)

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 419-21

• 21 So we labored in the work, and half of the men
  held the spears from daybreak until the stars
  appeared.
• HOW DID THEY CONTINUE TO LABOR?
• HOW LONG DID THEY WORK?

32
READ NEHEMIAH 422-23

• 22 At the same time I also said to the people,
  "Let each man and his servant stay at night in
  Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night
  and a working party by day."
• 23 So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor
  the men of the guard who followed me took off our
  clothes, except that everyone took them off for
  washing. (NKJ)

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QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 422-23

• 22 At the same time I also said to the people,
  "Let each man and his servant stay at night in
  Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night
  and a working party by day."
• WHY DID HE TELL THEM TO STAY IN JERUSALEM?
• WHERE WOULD THEY NORMALLY HAVE GONE? HOME?
• WHAT WOULD THEY DO BY NIGHT?
• WHAT WOULD THEY DO BY DAY?

34
QUESTIONS NEHEMIAH 422-23

• 23 So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor
  the men of the guard who followed me took off our
  clothes, except that everyone took them off for
  washing. (NKJ)
• WHAT DID THEY NOT DO?
• WHY DID THEY NOT TAKE OFF THEIR CLOTHES?
• WHAT WAS THE EXCEPTION?

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