Nehemiah: restoring order
Nehemiah’s work was far from finished, once the rebuilding work in Jerusalem was complete. A number of other responsibilities remained in order to restore society.
Read Nehemiah 7:1-3
- What did Nehemiah look for in choosing good officials?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages in choosing to work with family members? Not all societies are the same. What is appropriate in your society?
Read Nehemiah 7:4-73a (but don’t try to read verses 6-65 aloud!)
- In a disaster, records are often lost. Why is it important to restore good records?
- What were the immediate benefits of registering all the families who had returned from exile?
Read Nehemiah 8:1-12
- How did Nehemiah make sure that the people both heard and understood the words of God?
- Do you also rejoice when God’s word is made clear to you?
The people stayed to listen to God’s law for seven days (8:18-19). This is still remembered by the Jews and known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Then they confessed their sins and renewed their covenant with God (chapters 9 and 10). People were then ready to move back into Jerusalem (11:1-2) and leadership roles among the Levites, the priestly tribe, were allocated. Finally, Nehemiah organised the dedication of the wall.
Read Nehemiah 12:27-31 and 38-43
- Nehemiah could have returned home after finishing the building work. Why did he stay?
- Why is it important to take time to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness?
The Antioch church’s response to famine
Read Acts 11:27-30
A famine was predicted by a prophecy, and the church in Antioch decided to provide help for the Christians in Judaea. This provides us with a good example of preparedness. The prophet Agabus had predicted the famine and so the church decided to take positive action. Though famine was to be over the whole of the Roman world, they recognised that Judaea would be severely affected, so they decided to target their assistance on that area.
- How did the church respond to the famine?
- What can we learn from the Antioch church’s example of the famine relief it provided?
- In what ways could we respond to a famine?
- Is there anything we can do now in preparation for any future famines here or elsewhere?
Pray for those who are experiencing famine at the moment and for those who are attempting to alleviate famine.
God’s provision for the future
Read Genesis 41:17-41
Here we read about the dreams that Pharaoh had and their interpretation.
- What happened in Pharaoh’s dream?
Joseph explains that God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. What is going to happen?
- Why is the dream given in two forms (verse 32)?
- What actions does Joseph recommend in verses 33-41? Note the steps involved.
This plan seemed good to Pharaoh and all his officials, though storing sufficient grain to last a whole nation for seven years is a massive undertaking.
- What qualities are we told the person in charge needs?
- Why is Joseph chosen for the position?
Read Genesis 41:46-57
- What does Joseph do in the years of plenty?
- How widespread was the famine?
Many lives were saved through God’s merciful warning, Joseph’s openness to God and Pharaoh’s correct response.
- Are we open and responsive to God?
- Are we using wisely all that God has given us, to provide for the future for ourselves, our families, our community and others?
Joy in the face of disaster
The book of Habakkuk has just three chapters. Because of the note at the end of the book, it is thought that Habakkuk was a temple musician, and he certainly wrote in poetic language. Chapters 1 and 2 describe a conversation between the prophet and God about the future of the nation of Judah.
Read Habakkuk 3:1-2
Habakkuk pleads with God for the sake of his people – not for anything good they have done (or not done) but only because of God’s character and mercy.
- What effect does this have on people?
- Should we always pray in this way during difficult situations?
Read verses 3-16
These verses describe in poetic language how God has shown his wrath in previous times.
- When we know that difficulties are coming, will we always be fearful?
- How does his faith enable Habakkuk to wait?
- Would this be our reaction to approaching disaster?
Read verses 17-19
The prophet looked back on the great things that God had done and was filled with joy. He was determined to remain joyful in the Lord, since even when all possessions have gone, God remains. When we meet with great difficulties in life, Habakkuk’s words may bring encouragement. Our faith in Christ prepares us for every event that life may throw at us. Habakkuk relied on God and not on human strength. In the end, God will bring his judgement upon the wicked.
- Discuss how you respond to Habakkuk’s positive view in the time of disaster.
- What can we learn from him?
Encouragement during crisis
Paul was imprisoned for the sake of his beliefs. He knew that he had done nothing to break any laws, and after several years he appealed for his case to be taken before the Emperor Caesar in Rome. Eventually, Paul and some other prisoners were taken by ship to Rome.
Read Acts 27:1-2 and 9-12
- Paul was correct in seeing that disaster lay ahead. Why was he able to see this more clearly than the ship’s captain?
- This passage is a good example of how disaster could have been prevented through being prepared. What would have happened if the centurion had listened to Paul rather than the master?
- Discuss reasons why he listened to the master rather than Paul?
- Discuss some situations where disaster has come because good advice has been ignored in favour of an easier option.
Read Acts 27:13-26
- How much warning did the ship’s crew have of the storm?
- How did the crew respond to the danger they were in?
- How did Paul respond to the danger they faced?
Read Acts 27:33-44
Despite the fact that their lives were all in danger, Paul remained calm and practical.
- How did he share his faith with those on board?
- What was the eventual outcome of Paul’s witness and close relationship with God?
Why suffering?
Read Genesis 1:31, 2:15
Disasters and suffering were never part of God’s original plan for us. He created all things and formed a partnership with us. However, this partnership was broken (Genesis 3) and we suffer the consequences.
- How much are disasters part of these consequences?
Read Romans 8:18-25
Today there is suffering – but it is temporary, and will one day give way to something eternally glorious.
- How does God offer us a way back to the partnership?
Knowing God, the prospect of disaster should not terrify us – we learn here that we are safe in his hands and that this world will one day be transformed into a new world. Until that glorious day, God requires that we act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with him (Micah 6:8).
A new life in poverty
A famine in Judah caused Naomi and her family to migrate to Moab, where her husband and sons both died, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law in poverty.
Read Ruth 1
- Discuss the response of Ruth and Orpah to Naomi’s insistence that they remain in their own land. What would your response be, if faced with leaving your own country in such a situation?
Read Deuteronomy 24:19-22 and Ruth 2
Naomi and Ruth returned to Judah after hearing that food was available again, even though Naomi had lost her land rights when her husband and sons died. However, Jewish law permitted the poor to gather leftover grain at harvest time. Ruth found support as she gathered leftover grain on land that turned out to belong to one of Naomi’s relatives.
- What led Ruth to the fields of Boaz?
- Why did Boaz respond in such a caring way?
- What provision do our laws and customs make for the poor to obtain food?
- What is the role of our traditional practices in caring for those in special need?
- Are these still relevant in our modern world?
- How do these practices need to change with the modern world, while still retaining their value?
Ruth: restoring the victims of famine
Read Leviticus 25:25-28 and Ruth 3-4
Under Jewish custom there were several ways in which the poor were given opportunities to rebuild their lives. One was the custom of gleaning (gathering leftover grain at harvest time), another was the Jubilee principal of forgiving debt and restoring property (Leviticus 25:8-22). Another custom was that if someone became poor and lost their property, their nearest family member should redeem the land and return it to them.
- Why do you think Boaz agreed to help redeem Naomi’s land?
- What are the traditional ways in which your society allows people who have become poor to rebuild their lives?
- Boaz’s actions meant that Naomi would have descendants to maintain her family line. How important is this?
- How did God bless the lives of Ruth and Boaz?
See also
Genesis 6:13-22 Noah and the building of the ark
Haggai 1 and 2 Drought, crop disease, hail and winds from God to cause people to return to him
Romans 8:28 In all things God works for the good