'Bible (ASV) 16: Nehemiah' Summary

The Book of Nehemiah narrates the account of Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes I, who receives news of the dilapidated state of Jerusalem's walls and the weakened condition of the Jewish community. Moved by compassion, Nehemiah seeks permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. He faces opposition from Sanballat, a Samaritan governor, and Tobiah, an Ammonite official, who seek to prevent the restoration of Jerusalem. Despite their attempts to hinder the work, Nehemiah perseveres, utilizing his leadership skills and diplomatic strategies to rally the people and complete the construction of the city walls. The book then details the efforts of Nehemiah and Ezra to revive religious practices within the community, establish a system of temple service, and ensure the faithful adherence to the Law of Moses. A census is conducted to record the population of Jerusalem, including priests, Levites, and other individuals who returned from exile. The book concludes with a dedication ceremony for the newly built walls and a description of the reforms implemented by Nehemiah to restore the spiritual and moral integrity of the community.