Nehemiah 9:24-38

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Longest Prayer

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God must discipline His children.

  2. God does not break His promises.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. We cannot escape God’s discipline, but neither can we exhaust God’s patience.

  2. We don’t have to be slaves on our own land.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who was leading this prayer?

  2. This prayer traces the history of _____________ especially revealing God’s _________________ and His people’s _______________.

  3. Critics say the Bible is in error because archaeological digs have revealed little destruction during the time of the conquest. How would you answer them?

  4. When the Assyrian King Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem, God performed a miracle. What was the miracle? Where is it found in the Bible?

  5. Why does God discipline His children?

  6. What is mercy?

ANSWERS

  1. Several of the Levites were leading the people in prayer

  2. Israel; faithfulness; unfaithfulness

  3. We should not expect to find a lot of destruction, for the cities were not destroyed, but taken over by the conquerors. Only a few were burned.

  4. 185,000 Assyrian troops died in one night, and Sennacherib returned to his own land. This account is documented in cuneiform records, and three times in Scripture: Isaiah 37:33-38, 2 Kings 19:32-37, and 2 Chronicles 32:1-21.

  5. Because He loves His children, and wants the best for them. God’s discipline is always constructive, and we will benefit if we submit to it.

  6. The word for mercy (sometimes translated as “lovingkindness”), is best defined as God’s loyal, steadfast, and faithful love.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Can we exhaust God’s patience? No, for His patience is unlimited. Are you thankful for His patience in your life? If so, tell Him.

  2. The Jews were “slaves in their own land” because the Persians exacted tribute in crops and livestock from the Jews (verses 36-37). How could we be slaves in the land God has given to us?

CHALLENGE

  1. Can we escape God’s discipline? No, and we should value it! Consider what your life would be like if you were not disciplined by God.

KEY VERSES

  • “Great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23