Nehemiah Summary

Title:	The book of Nehemiah is named for its main character.
Author:	The book of Nehemiah is credited to Ezra as the author.  The books dealing with the end of the the exile/captivity of Israel and Judah, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah all are credited to Ezra as author.  It also appears to be some of the narrative to have been written and told about Nehemiah in the first person.
Date:	Nehemiah was most likely written bbetween 445 and 425 BC.  Nehemiah is recorded to have returned to Jerusalem about 445 BC about 13 years after Ezra returned.
Main Theme	There are multiple themes that come from the story of Nehemiah.  We see that God hears and answers prayer.  We see that God works providentially to accomplish His plan.  This can include major world leaders.  We see that God is faithfuil and keeps His promises inspite of the fact His people are persistant in their sin.  We see that worship needs to be at the center of the life of the follower.  We also see that in spite of God's faithfullness it is imperative that God's people need to be on their guard against their own sin.
Location:	Although some activities take place in Persia, the story takes place in Jerusalem of Judea.
History	God promised Abraham that the Messiah would come through His people.  He also had promised the Messiah would come out of the land of Judah.  In order for that to happen, God had to bring the people back from captivity.  He had already promised the time of the exile would be 70 years and that time had come to an end.  He is fulfilling that promise.  Nehemiah is a 'sequal' to Ezra, showing the completion of the rebuilding both the temple and the wall to protect the city.
Major Characters:	Nehemiah
	Ezra