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Expositions on Nehemiah 5: The governor who denied himself

Note: My church small group studies are going to be studying the Book of Nehemiah together for the first half of the year. I am writing these series of posts to collect important bits of information that will hopefully help us illumine the text.

The text in Nehemiah Chapter 5:14-19

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration[b] forty shekels[c] of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. Now what was prepared at my expense[d] for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

Nehemiah is the governor who was appointed the governor of Judah
Jesus, the true and greater Nehemiah, is appointed King of the world

Nehemiah is the governor who did not lord himself over the people of Judah because of the fear of God
Jesus, the true and greater Nehemiah, did not lord himself over the people but served his people though much higher in stature than Nehemiah

Nehemiah is the governor who persevered n the work and not allow the lofty position of governor to faze him
Jesus, the true and greater Nehemiah, focused on the work of the Father culminating with a cry of "It is finished", though challenged to display his power time and again

Nehemiah prepared food for his people and wine for his people at his own expense
Jesus, prepared the bread of his body and his blood as the wine at the expense of his own life

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