Welcome to the Podcast! Today Pastor Rob Ayer is starting a sermon series on the book of Nehemiah.

I was cupbearer to the king (Neh. 1:11).

This is the line that ends Neh. Chp. 1.

If I were directing a movie – a biography - about the life and times of Nehemiah – this

is where I might begin his story: a close-in shot of him just about to taste a beverage

for the king – to proof it against any hint of poison in it.

What kind of job is this?! What might it tell us about Nehemiah? And what does it tell

us about his relationship to King Artaxerxes?

Well – I think we can safely assume that it was a dangerous job – one where you could

literally die with a sip or a taste. It wasn't uncommon at the time – after all - for kings

to be poisoned – esp. during unstable political times.

Nehemiah was a loyal and trusted servant of the king who had a deep knowledge of the

politics of how things worked. He was a trusted confidant.