Nehemiah: An Expositional Commentary

by James Montgomery Boice

Publisher:

Baker

, 1990

Overview

Nehemiah was a great leader. According to James Montgomery Boice, Nehemiah's leadership abilities were born from his submission to God, his ability to focus on the right goals, his wisdom in handling complex situations, and his courage to act decisively. "But the most important thing about Nehemiah," says Boice, "is that he was a man of God, and because he was so close to God in prayer and personal piety, he was able to draw from God the wisdom, patience, skill, and perseverance he needed."

This insightful commentary follows a chosen leader through the great task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem 150 years after it was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar. Through analysis of eight dynamics of the Old Testament text, Boice explores all aspects of Nehemiah's work, from taking command to getting the work done, from dealing with oppression to dedicating the wall and establishing Jerusalem as a city under God.

Contents

Top Highlights

“An open letter would have been a read letter. It would have been read scores of times during its progress from Samaria to Jerusalem, and the message would already have been repeated widely by the time Nehemiah received the accusation.” (Page 71)

“‘The self-sufficient do not pray; they merely talk to themselves. The self-satisfied will not pray; they have no knowledge of their need. The self-righteous cannot pray; they have no basis on which to approach God.’⁴ A true leader is one who is not self-sufficient, self-satisfied, or self-righteous.” (Page 18)

“3. Nehemiah’s self-awareness and knowledge of his own worth.” (Page 74)

“1. Some people are threatened by another person’s success” (Page 50)

“Opposition is almost always caused by success and not failure. The first thing we should know, if we are trying to do something worthwhile and are being opposed, is that it is because we are achieving something.” (Page 50)

Praise for the Print Edition

Dr. Boice's commentary series is a treasure for the church and for her pastors. No expository preacher can afford to be without it.

Product Details

• Title: Nehemiah: An Expositional Commentary
• Author: James Montgomery Boice
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 1990
• Pages: 160

About James Montgomery Boice

James Montgomery Boice (July 7, 1938–June 15, 2000) was a Reformed theologian and pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1968 until his death. He received degrees from Harvard University, Princeton Theological Seminary, University of Basel in Switzerland and Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church.

Boice served as senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was president and cofounder of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the parent organization of The Bible Study Hour radio broadcast on which Boice was a speaker for more than 30 years. He also served as chairman of the International Council of Biblical Inerrancy for over ten years.

Boice’s 27-volume Expositional Commentary set reflects his years of experience in the pulpit. He also authored Foundations of the Christian Faith which provides a readable overview of Christian theology.