Lesson 27: Dedication and Renewal

The leaders and the people knew that rebuilding Jerusalem was central to God’s future plans for His people. And accordingly, it was His intention for Jerusalem to ultimately be inhabited by those ready to reinstitute spiritual elements that all pointed to God's picture for redemption through the Messiah. It started with the re-building of the temple, then re-establishing worship, rebuilding the walls and renewing God's covenant relationship; and now…the final step…moving in. Each step in this restoration was an expression of obedience and devotion to God. In this grand finale of the book of Nehemiah, it was time to bring it all together.…temple, walls, city and people. And although it’s clear that God’s plan for the restoration of Israel was perfect, we’ll see that even after their eagerness to hear and respond to the Law, their repentance and their oaths, God’s people continued to struggle with sin. Through God’s gracious provision of wise and godly leaders such as Nehemiah to hold them accountable, the people would learn, and we can learn, that devotion to God requires dedicating every aspect of life to Him.

Reflection questions:

1. Where are you intentionally investing in the faith of the next generation?

2. How are you using the gifts God has given you to express thanks to Him?

3. Is there an area of compromise you have been tolerating that needs attention and what will you do about it?