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God's Word for You
Nehemiah For You: Strength to Build for God
The book of Nehemiah chronicles a key moment in the history of God's people: the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the return from exile.
But we don't walk away from this book just knowing about a rebuilt wall. Nehemiah helps us think through any type of rebuilding we might do for God--from our homes and families to our local church, our communities and our world. It teaches us about gospel mission.
Urban pastor Dr. Eric Mason unpacks this rich book verse by verse. He explains the context, gives plenty of application for our lives today, and shows us what it looks like to get involved in God's work to build his kingdom.
This expository guide can be read as a book; used as a devotional; and utilized in teaching and preaching.
But we don't walk away from this book just knowing about a rebuilt wall. Nehemiah helps us think through any type of rebuilding we might do for God--from our homes and families to our local church, our communities and our world. It teaches us about gospel mission.
Urban pastor Dr. Eric Mason unpacks this rich book verse by verse. He explains the context, gives plenty of application for our lives today, and shows us what it looks like to get involved in God's work to build his kingdom.
This expository guide can be read as a book; used as a devotional; and utilized in teaching and preaching.
- GenresChristian
176 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2022
31 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Eric Mason
109 books89 followersDR. ERIC MASON is the founder and pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. He and his wife, Yvette, have four children. After more than two decades of gospel ministry, Dr. Mason has become known for his passion to see the glory of Jesus Christ robustly and relevantly engaged in broken cities with the comprehensive gospel. He helps coach and train families to plant churches locally, nationally, and internationally. He is the founder and president of Thriving, an urban resource organization committed to developing leaders for ministry in the urban context, and is the author of three books, Manhood Restored, Beat God to the Punch, and Unleashed. He is the recipient of multiple earned degrees, including a BS in Psychology from Bowie State University, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Doctoral degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 9, 2022
{First posted here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/th...]
There's nothing more frustrating than rebuilding a sand castle.
Okay...maybe a few things, but working to get the sand just right, mounting each turret perfectly without crushing the foundation beneath, it's all a lot of hard work.
I can't imagine what it was like as the exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem, to see their ancestral city laying in a crumbled heap, without protection, without the vibrant life they'd known from the stories of the grandparents.
The book of Nehemiah tells us the story of how God initiates, and completes, restoration and our role in His work as His representatives. The walls need to be rebuilt for Jerusalem to become a place of worship again and He's working not only on the structures of the city, but also on the hearts of the people.
Nehemiah For You: Strength to Build for God by Eric Mason takes us chapter by chapter through this historical book to show us how the tasks and challenges Nehemiah faces as he walks in obedience to God and how that influences our work for the kingdom today as light bearers in our churches and communities.
He draws lessons for us as we serve in our local churches, about how to deal with opposition or resistance, how to move with one purpose, the value of surrendering our personal preferences, being a student first and foremost of God's Word.
This commentary series is one I really enjoy. They're written for the average church member so they're easy to follow and understand. With helpful reflection questions at the end of each section it's also very practical.
If you're studying the book of Nehemiah, this is a great resource for you to have!
Quick Stats
# of pages: 176 pages
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
There's nothing more frustrating than rebuilding a sand castle.
Okay...maybe a few things, but working to get the sand just right, mounting each turret perfectly without crushing the foundation beneath, it's all a lot of hard work.
I can't imagine what it was like as the exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem, to see their ancestral city laying in a crumbled heap, without protection, without the vibrant life they'd known from the stories of the grandparents.
The book of Nehemiah tells us the story of how God initiates, and completes, restoration and our role in His work as His representatives. The walls need to be rebuilt for Jerusalem to become a place of worship again and He's working not only on the structures of the city, but also on the hearts of the people.
Nehemiah For You: Strength to Build for God by Eric Mason takes us chapter by chapter through this historical book to show us how the tasks and challenges Nehemiah faces as he walks in obedience to God and how that influences our work for the kingdom today as light bearers in our churches and communities.
He draws lessons for us as we serve in our local churches, about how to deal with opposition or resistance, how to move with one purpose, the value of surrendering our personal preferences, being a student first and foremost of God's Word.
This commentary series is one I really enjoy. They're written for the average church member so they're easy to follow and understand. With helpful reflection questions at the end of each section it's also very practical.
If you're studying the book of Nehemiah, this is a great resource for you to have!
Quick Stats
# of pages: 176 pages
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
December 29, 2024
I highly recommended studying the book of Nehemiah and then reading this book. I really appreciated his perspective on the purpose the church.
July 29, 2023
3.5 stars out of 5
This book does a good job of pointing to Nehemiah as a type of Christ and does a good job talking about corporate repentance and sin. However, I wish there was more detail on chapters 10-12. Nehemiah only has thirteen chapters, so it should have been easy to have one chapter of this book for each chapter of the biblical book. I agreed with most of Mason’s insights but I think he sometimes goes a bit too heavy on application vs what the Bible actually says. Overall, it was a good read, but not as good as some of the others in this series that I’ve read (Ruth and Isaiah, for instance).
This book does a good job of pointing to Nehemiah as a type of Christ and does a good job talking about corporate repentance and sin. However, I wish there was more detail on chapters 10-12. Nehemiah only has thirteen chapters, so it should have been easy to have one chapter of this book for each chapter of the biblical book. I agreed with most of Mason’s insights but I think he sometimes goes a bit too heavy on application vs what the Bible actually says. Overall, it was a good read, but not as good as some of the others in this series that I’ve read (Ruth and Isaiah, for instance).
July 13, 2022
How did God’s people rebuild after returning from exile? In Nehemiah For You, Eric Mason shows us strength to build for God.
Accessible and Versatile
As part of the God’s Word For You series from The Good Book Company, this excellent expository Bible-study guide to Nehemiah is accessible and versatile. At under 200 pages, it is a fitting devotional read but also helpful for preachers and teachers. Mason is quick to note that Nehemiah is often used in reference to rebuilding – whether it be homes, churches, or communities. But he does not want us to miss the bigger themes of gospel mission, redemption, and providence.
Mason is skilled at matching the context of Nehemiah to modern times. For instance, he says that the setting of the story is the “Persian version of Mardi Gras.” And as cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah is “basically the king’s personal bartender.” It really helped the story come to life! Of course, this all serves the purpose to show us the meaning of the text, which is that Nehemiah was put there on purpose for a specific purpose. Nehemiah recognized his place of privilege, and he sought to give glory to God.
Seeing Jesus
I was most interested to see how Mason relates Nehemiah to Jesus Christ. Just as Nehemiah enters into the people’s issues and includes his lot with theirs, so does Christ. Just as Nehemiah was in a high place at the right hand of his king but came down to Jerusalem to help his people, so does Christ. The parallels are unmistakeable, and Mason makes sure you see it.
In Nehemiah 3, Mason explains the Sheep Gate and how it made a way for the sacrificial sheep to come in that way. This was the first gate to be repaired. The Sheep Gate was the only gate that was consecrated, and this consecrated the entire wall. There were also no bolts or bars – there were no locks on it, signifying that the door to salvation is ever open for the sinner. This gate is a beautiful symbol of the cross.
Christ Our Cornerstone
I was most moved to see how Nehemiah provides parallels to slavery and oppression in the United States. Mason points out that the “Jewish brothers” in Nehemiah 5 walked in some type of blindness in order to justify the mistreatment of their Jewish brothers. Mason holds them accountable, but also shows that injustice is a failure to have the fear of God. Repentance is crucial, but the ultimate answer is in the forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus.
This book also has the strength of giving several specific applications at the end of each section. I was most excited to see the finished wall at the end of the book, but I was also hit with a sense of sorrow. There were compromises to the commitments made by God’s people, and Nehemiah had to make things right. Ultimately, these rebuilt walls were not the true end-goal. We look to Christ, our Cornerstone, and his Kingdom. He is building that Kingdom now, and I am humbled to partake in it.
I received a media copy of Nehemiah For You and this is my honest review.
Accessible and Versatile
As part of the God’s Word For You series from The Good Book Company, this excellent expository Bible-study guide to Nehemiah is accessible and versatile. At under 200 pages, it is a fitting devotional read but also helpful for preachers and teachers. Mason is quick to note that Nehemiah is often used in reference to rebuilding – whether it be homes, churches, or communities. But he does not want us to miss the bigger themes of gospel mission, redemption, and providence.
Mason is skilled at matching the context of Nehemiah to modern times. For instance, he says that the setting of the story is the “Persian version of Mardi Gras.” And as cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah is “basically the king’s personal bartender.” It really helped the story come to life! Of course, this all serves the purpose to show us the meaning of the text, which is that Nehemiah was put there on purpose for a specific purpose. Nehemiah recognized his place of privilege, and he sought to give glory to God.
Seeing Jesus
I was most interested to see how Mason relates Nehemiah to Jesus Christ. Just as Nehemiah enters into the people’s issues and includes his lot with theirs, so does Christ. Just as Nehemiah was in a high place at the right hand of his king but came down to Jerusalem to help his people, so does Christ. The parallels are unmistakeable, and Mason makes sure you see it.
In Nehemiah 3, Mason explains the Sheep Gate and how it made a way for the sacrificial sheep to come in that way. This was the first gate to be repaired. The Sheep Gate was the only gate that was consecrated, and this consecrated the entire wall. There were also no bolts or bars – there were no locks on it, signifying that the door to salvation is ever open for the sinner. This gate is a beautiful symbol of the cross.
Christ Our Cornerstone
I was most moved to see how Nehemiah provides parallels to slavery and oppression in the United States. Mason points out that the “Jewish brothers” in Nehemiah 5 walked in some type of blindness in order to justify the mistreatment of their Jewish brothers. Mason holds them accountable, but also shows that injustice is a failure to have the fear of God. Repentance is crucial, but the ultimate answer is in the forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus.
This book also has the strength of giving several specific applications at the end of each section. I was most excited to see the finished wall at the end of the book, but I was also hit with a sense of sorrow. There were compromises to the commitments made by God’s people, and Nehemiah had to make things right. Ultimately, these rebuilt walls were not the true end-goal. We look to Christ, our Cornerstone, and his Kingdom. He is building that Kingdom now, and I am humbled to partake in it.
I received a media copy of Nehemiah For You and this is my honest review.
June 30, 2022
My familiarity with the book of Nehemiah mainly stems from my childhood church's building campaign, and I read Nehemiah For You with one of the "Let us rise up and build" fundraising bookmarks my dad made in the late nineties. However, even though I felt like I knew the story well, it had been years since I had actually read it, and this book inspired me to go back and revisit Nehemiah, reading chapters before reading the associated sections in this book. I appreciated Eric Mason's clear explanations of some of the more complex historical and cultural elements of this Bible book, and he draws out great applications for how Christians can apply core themes from Nehemiah in their churches and communities.
Mason writes with a realistic, boots-on-the-ground perspective about church ministry and community renewal projects, sharing some examples from his pastoral ministry in an urban church. He emphasizes both the internal and external changes that were necessary for repentance and healing in Nehemiah's context, and he shows how these core themes apply to current issues today. I appreciate how well he balanced writing about both personal holiness and social justice, addressing both as essential without emphasizing one over the other.
Nehemiah For You is a great resource for pastors who are planning to preach through Nehemiah, especially if they feel uncertain about how to handle the social justice themes without watering them down or overly politicizing them in today's cultural context. This book would also be a great selection for Bible studies, personal reading, and family devotions with older children, especially when people are going through phases of vision-casting, project management, and communal renewal.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Mason writes with a realistic, boots-on-the-ground perspective about church ministry and community renewal projects, sharing some examples from his pastoral ministry in an urban church. He emphasizes both the internal and external changes that were necessary for repentance and healing in Nehemiah's context, and he shows how these core themes apply to current issues today. I appreciate how well he balanced writing about both personal holiness and social justice, addressing both as essential without emphasizing one over the other.
Nehemiah For You is a great resource for pastors who are planning to preach through Nehemiah, especially if they feel uncertain about how to handle the social justice themes without watering them down or overly politicizing them in today's cultural context. This book would also be a great selection for Bible studies, personal reading, and family devotions with older children, especially when people are going through phases of vision-casting, project management, and communal renewal.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2023
My main takeaway is that Nehemiah would be a great boy’s name. Not sure what you’d shorten it to, though.
Otherwise I basically learnt 50 things that Nehemiah isn’t about.
This book really needed the wide-angle lens of proper biblical theology. The author doesn’t positioning the rebuilding of Jerusalem within the bigger ‘garden-to-heavenly-city’ story of God’s leader restoring his broken-down people and reconstituting true worship. Instead, he takes the book in a vacuum and turns it into a template for ‘rebuilding communities’ and ‘committing to God’s mission.’
The result is a worldly focus, endless wringing of application from the tiniest historical details, and hardly a whisper of Jesus.
The ‘For You’ series is a brilliant concept and usually executed pretty well - clear, accessible and well-applied. This volume was more rubble than good foundation.
Otherwise I basically learnt 50 things that Nehemiah isn’t about.
This book really needed the wide-angle lens of proper biblical theology. The author doesn’t positioning the rebuilding of Jerusalem within the bigger ‘garden-to-heavenly-city’ story of God’s leader restoring his broken-down people and reconstituting true worship. Instead, he takes the book in a vacuum and turns it into a template for ‘rebuilding communities’ and ‘committing to God’s mission.’
The result is a worldly focus, endless wringing of application from the tiniest historical details, and hardly a whisper of Jesus.
The ‘For You’ series is a brilliant concept and usually executed pretty well - clear, accessible and well-applied. This volume was more rubble than good foundation.
June 18, 2024
I love the "For You" series - I learn a lot about each book.
When someone gets a book called "Nehemiah For You" the expectation is that it's about the actual book of Nehemiah. Unfortunately this book isn't about the book of Nehemiah at all.
It briefly mentions each set of verses in Nehemiah and then just goes off on random tangents about all kinds of stuff, none of them actually related to Nehemiah at all, and some of the subjects are just pulled completely out of thin air (and some of them are inaccurately covered).
This one can be skipped. A rare misstep, but I'm going to stick with the overall series because it's been really good up to this point.
When someone gets a book called "Nehemiah For You" the expectation is that it's about the actual book of Nehemiah. Unfortunately this book isn't about the book of Nehemiah at all.
It briefly mentions each set of verses in Nehemiah and then just goes off on random tangents about all kinds of stuff, none of them actually related to Nehemiah at all, and some of the subjects are just pulled completely out of thin air (and some of them are inaccurately covered).
This one can be skipped. A rare misstep, but I'm going to stick with the overall series because it's been really good up to this point.
December 31, 2022
Eric mason did a great job on this study. Greatly handled and relevant applications for the Christian life. I love this commentary series from the way the break it up and also how easily it translates into a small group or one on one discipleship settings. My pastor and I are taking the church through Nehemiah so I thought I would read a commentary on Nehemiah. I’m glad I did. Highly recommend.
April 6, 2023
I have found this whole series very valuable Bible study companions, and I was happy to see an entry in the series from a non-white voice. Dr. Mason made accessible a somewhat challenging book to understand and brought a lot of great perspective for the modern audience to wrestle with. I recommend for personal or group study!
July 7, 2022
This is an excellent study of the book of Nehemiah. It begins with some helpful background as to how the book of Nehemiah fits in with broader Bible narrative, establishing the context of the book.
The style of this Bible study makes it very accessible, packed with sound teaching and background, not overly theological, but enough to give the reader a solid understanding.
It is ideal for personal study or it could be used as a basis for a Bible study group, with questions at the end of each section to help you along. Or if you were researching for a talk or sermon then there is plenty of good material.
Key themes like knowing our calling, hearing from God, leadership, how to deal with opposition and perseverance, are all discussed using examples from the text. There is such depth in the story, so much more than a story of rebuilding a wall, and we can gain insight into our own situations, how to fight our battles and build our societies in strong relationship with a loving God...
Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/nehemiah-...
The style of this Bible study makes it very accessible, packed with sound teaching and background, not overly theological, but enough to give the reader a solid understanding.
It is ideal for personal study or it could be used as a basis for a Bible study group, with questions at the end of each section to help you along. Or if you were researching for a talk or sermon then there is plenty of good material.
Key themes like knowing our calling, hearing from God, leadership, how to deal with opposition and perseverance, are all discussed using examples from the text. There is such depth in the story, so much more than a story of rebuilding a wall, and we can gain insight into our own situations, how to fight our battles and build our societies in strong relationship with a loving God...
Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/nehemiah-...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews