Real Men Do Cry: The Prayer That Saved a Nation

By Tom Halls

Real Men Do Cry captures the wisdom of Nehemiah for the twenty- first century.

Learn how God intervened to restore a remnant of his people in Israel in the fifth century BC, a time when the nations existence had reached a desperation point. Gods ways have not changed. He still acts on behalf of those he is calling to follow him. As an absolute sovereign, he expects complete obedience to his will.

See how God overruled the dominant powers of that time to fulfill his purpose in the world. This practice has not changed. God is still King; however many circumstances and the boasts of the ungodly may seem to mask that fact.

Understand the true basis for prayer as Gods people in any age relate to their true King and persist in their obedience to him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490827889

Tom Halls

After seeing God revive two struggling congregations through systematic Bible teaching and genuine pastoral care, Tom Halls joined the staff of Saint Andrews Cathedral, Sydney, in 2006. This part-time position has allowed him more opportunity to preach and conduct preaching seminars in regions as diverse as India, Nepal, Asia, North America, and Eastern and Western Europe. He oversees the Cathedral’s Subcontinental Fellowship for students and short-term workers from India, Nepal, and elsewhere.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2789-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2790-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2788-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014903673

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/28/2014

We live in times that resemble the age of Nehemiah – God’s people seem to be too few and too powerless, while God’s enemies look too many and too powerful. We urgently need Nehemiah’s good news of God’s undiminished sovereign power, unlimited wisdom, and unending love for His people. With his usual skill and faithfulness in handling Scripture, Tom Halls unpacks the encouraging message we need to hear from Nehemiah.

Kel Richards, author and broadcaster

Sydney NSW Australia

I have known The Rev Tom Halls for over two decades and have been personally blessed having benefited by his Bible expositions. He has a deep understanding of the Scriptures and has the ability to expound the truth in common-man’s language. He makes every effort to make the Scripture relevant in today’s context with apt illustrations and applications. This volume on the book of Nehemiah will be a treasure to those who love God and His word. May God richly bless all who read it.

Rev R. Prabhu

President, Emmanuel Tamil Conference

Singapore Methodist Church

It has been a joy to be connected with Tom Halls in the last few years through the global Christian network. We love Tom’s handling of God’s Word – direct from the Scripture and direct from his pastoral heart. Nehemiah is a real man – a man of passion, devotion, and action. He is a rare man – a man who loves his God, his people, and his nation. We have much to learn from this leader. We are glad to recommend Tom’s exposition on Nehemiah.

Pastor OSH

Senior Pastor

Chinese Church in London (CCIL)

To fellow labourers in the Gospel, Angelo and Sharon Porcu, and Seti and Luisa Latu, whose bold and culturally sensitive sharing of the truth about Jesus, and genuine care for those who hear it, exemplify what the Bible means by faithful ministry.

To Jerryl and Elizabeth Lowe, whose life together has made it easy for others to understand the Gospel they have laboured to teach and model for more than forty years.

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1   Real Men Do Cry

Nehemiah 1

Chapter 2   You Can’t Please Everyone

Nehemiah 2–3

Chapter 3   Our God Will Fight for Us

Nehemiah 4

Chapter 4   Nothing Left to Mortgage

Nehemiah 5

Chapter 5   Don’t Believe All You Hear

Nehemiah 6–7

Chapter 6   A Summer School of Joy

Nehemiah 8

Chapter 7   History Is Important

Nehemiah 9: 1–38

Chapter 8   Back to Basics

Nehemiah 12: 27–47, 13: 1–30

About the Author

Foreword

The Jews … are aware of the origin and meaning of their rites. In saying this, Seneca the philosopher reveals not only approval but envy. Romans had failed to discover the meaning of theirs. His contemporary, Paul the apostle, brought to Rome a grand new gospel understanding of the ancient promises. Five centuries earlier the people of Israel had been restored by Nehemiah to the national meaning of their history.

Tom Halls inherits this living tradition. He applies Nehemiah’s text to one’s modern experience of life, an experimental method indeed. It is the principle of personal testing for truth that has eventually freed Western culture from the fatalistic resignation of an unchanging universe. It has opened the way to a realistic life, understood in terms of development according to its creator’s purpose.

The author of these expositions is an experienced interpreter. He is historically well educated, with a particular gift of opening his vision to people of a different cultural background.

Edwin Judge, Emeritus Professor of History

Macquarie University, Sydney NSW, Australia

Introduction

Real Men Do Cry began as a series of sermons from the Old Testament book of Nehemiah preached in St Andrews Cathedral Sydney, Australia. I am grateful to the congregations who patiently endured that series and offered continuing encouragement to share the fruit of my study more widely in book form. Following ministry in Sabah, East Malaysia, in 2011, Christians there provided me with an iPad 2 so I could write more books in the many hours wasted in planes and airport lounges. As this manuscript goes to the publisher on the eve of another period of ministry in Sabah, I can face believers there with a clear conscience, as well as a thankful heart, for their practical support of the project.

The continuing encouragement of my wife, Clare, the fellowship of a blessed and unusual band of preachers called Oddbods, who meet with me regularly for encouragement in ministry, and the ever-helpful congregations around the world, who graciously invite me to preach and share in their fellowship, have all contributed immeasurably to the production of Real Men Do Cry.

Friends at Thomas Nelson/Westbow Press have been most generous in their support. I am grateful to the copyright holders of the New International Version of the Bible. Inclusion of the relevant scriptural passage at the beginning of each chapter of this book will facilitate reading and study. It is my prayer that this volume will be useful not only to individuals but to discussion and study groups, as well as providing a resource to those preparing sermons and other teaching.

T J Halls

Sydney, Australia

February, 2014

CHAPTER 1

Real Men Do Cry

Nehemiah 1: 1–11 (New International Version)

The words of Nehemiah, son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in