Nehemiah

Jewish tradition identifies Nehemiah himself as the primary author of this historical book. Much of the book is written from his first-person perspective. Nothing is known about his youth or background; we meet him as an adult serving in the Persian royal court as the personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11–2:1). This prestigious position reveals something of Nehemiah’s upright character. Though he remained in Persia after the exiles had been allowed to go home, he was highly interested in the state of affairs in Judah (his brother Hanani [1:2] had returned there earlier).

Cupbearere.
Nehemiah - Was Jew, but was given a Cupbearer position
Cupbearer position - One of the most important position in the kings palace.
Kings life is dependent on cupbearer.
Only a person who is more trusted can be cupbearer.

Nehemiah, although Jew, served under Xerexes as Cupbearer- reveals his honest, integrity.

Concern about Jerusalem and people of Jerusalem
and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem

Nehemiah although serving in persian king Artaxerxes, he is concerned about Jerusalem.

Burden about the country, burden about your people.

Cry about country, people


Verse 4 says Nehemaiah wept for many days.

. 3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Prayer

5 And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love [c]You and observe [d]Your commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned

Prayer can do mighty things and God gets the glory

Nehemiah 6:15-16

15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.