Chapter Summary

Wall of Jerusalem built.

Discussion Questions for Nehemiah, Chapter 3

1. Who was Eliashib? What was his role in Jewish society, and what did that look like at this time? Do you think it would have been out of character for him to aid in the rebuild process? Why or why not?
2. According to verse 1, Eliashib and his brothers "consecrated" the gate that they built (ESV). What does it mean to consecrate something? Do you believe a gate is something that should be consecrated? Why might they have consecrated this one?
3. Who refused to aid in the rebuild process in verse 3? Why do you think they refused? What does this tell us of their character? Is anyone so noble that they are above serving the Lord? Why or why not?
4. Read through the list of those who helped to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. What type of people were these, and what skills did they possess? What does their diversity tell us about how important it was to the people of Israel to rebuild what had been destroyed?
5. Though the names of many men are recorded in this chapter, do you think they took part in the rebuild in order for their names to be remembered? If not, what do you believe motivated them?
6. Note all the times the word "repaired" is used in this chapter (ESV). Were there symbolic implications to this restoration process? If yes, what were they?
7. Where those who took part in this project all of the same rank or socioeconomic status? How did this great rebuild serve to promote unity and equality amongst the people of Israel?
8. This reparation process was tedious work. Do you think the workers ever grew tired of their task? Do you think they were ever tempted to give up? How might they have found motivation to continue? What can their faithfulness to this task teach believers today about enduring through difficulty in order to honor the Lord?
9. How is God's faithfulness to his people demonstrated throughout this chapter? How were the Israelites faithful to God in this chapter? If you were in their position, do you think you would have responded in the same way? Why or why not?
10. Do you think these people took pride in their work? Is it right to take pride in one's work when the task honors the Lord? Why or why not?

Key Words/Phrase

Repaired, v. 4.

Characters

God, Artaxerxes, Nehemiah, Sanballat, Tobiah.

Strong Verse(s)