On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.” v. 10-12

Queen Vashti refused to parade before the kin’s all male party, possibly because it was against Persian custom for a woman to appear before a public gathering of men. This conflict between Persian custom and the king’s command put her in a difficult situation, and she chose to refuse her half-drunk husband, hoping he would come to his senses later. That didn’t happen as she hoped it would.

King Xerxes used her as an example, stating that women should do as their husbands ask. She was removed as the Queen setting up a search for a new queen.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all thee chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifter their hands.  Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” v. 6

“I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.” v. 16-18
Nehemiah led the entire construction project, but he also worked on the wall alongside the others. He was not a bureaucrat in a well-guarded office but a leader who got involved in the day-to-day work. He did not use his position to lord it over his people. A good leader keeps in touch with the work to be done. Those who lead best lead by what they do as well as what they say.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“So the king asked me, ‘Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.’
Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, ‘Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.’” v. 2-3

“So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.

The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, ‘You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!’ Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.

They replied at once, ‘Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.’” v. 11-18
Nehemiah wasn’t ashamed to admit his fear, but he refused to allow fear to stop him from doing what God had called him to do. He acknowledged the kings position and clearly stated the response for his own sorow. When we allow fear to rule us, we make fear more powerful than God. Is there a task God wants you to do, but fear is holing you back? God is greater than all of our fears. Recognizing why you are afraid is the first step in committing your fear to God. Realize if God has called you to a taks, he will help you accomplish it!!

Secondly, Nehemiah arrived quietly in Jerusalem and spent several days careflly observing and assessing the damage to the walls. Following this time of thoughtful consideration, he confidently presented his plan. Nehemiah demonstrated an excellent approach to problem solving. He got firsthand information and carefully considered the situation. Then he presented a realistic stratagy. Before jumping into a project, follow Nehemiahs example and plan ahead. Check your information to make sure your ideas will work – be realistic. Then you will be able to present your plan.

Spiritual renewal often begins with one person’s vision. Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it with enthusiam, inspiring Jeresalem’s leaders to rebuild the walls.

We frequently underestimate people and don’t challenge them with our dreams for God’s work in the world. When God plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something for him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit to impress them with similar thoughts. Don’t regard yourself as the only one through whom God is working. Often God uses one person to express the vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish God’s goals.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:

‘He is so good!
His faithful love for Israel endures forever!’

Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.

But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance.” v.11-13
The celebration after laying the temple foundation was marked by contrast of emotion – shouts of joy and sounds of weeping. Both were appropriate. The Holy Spirit can stimulate us both to rejoice over the goodness of his grace and to grieve over the sins that required him to correct us. When we come into the presence of almighty God, we may feel full of joy and thanksgiving, yet at the same time be sobered by our short comings.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: ‘Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do.’” v. 11-13
When Josiah heard the law, he tore his clothes in despair. He immediately instituted reforms. With just one reading of God’s law, he changed the course of the nation. Today many people own Bible, but few are affected by the truths found in God’s Word. The Word of God should cause us, like Josiah, to take action immediately to reform our lives and bring them into harmony with God’s will.

Taken from the NLT LIfe Application Study Bible

“Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.” v.17
Have you ever needed a redo, or a start over? The Israelites did! Jehoiada the priest anointed a new king, who happened to have been in hiding and was only seven years old. This covenant was, in fact, a recommitment to a very old covenant – the one set up in the book of Deuteronomy for the righteous rule of the nation. It was meant to function as a constitution for the people. This covenant, however, had been virtually ignored for over 100 years. Unfortunately, after Jehoiada’s death, the reforms were discontinued.

Taken from the NLT LIfe Application Study Bible

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: ‘Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.’

But Naaman became angry and stalked away. ‘I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!’ he said. ‘I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?’ So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.” v.9-12
Naaman left is a rage because the cure for his disease seemed too simple. He was a hero, and he expected a heroic cure. Full of pride and self-will. Naaman could not accept the simple cure of faith. Sometimes people react to God’s offer of forgiveness in the same way. Just to believe is Jesus Christ somehow doesn’t seem significant enough to bring eternal life. To obey God’s commands doesn’t seem heroic. What Naaman had to do to have is leprosy washed away is similar to what we must do to have our sin washed away – humbly accept God’s mercy. Don’t let your reaction to the way of faith keep you from the cure you need most.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible