NOTICE:

We were caught up by time and therefore we did not manage to finish the syllabus. we were
left with one subtopic which is the Nehemiah Final reforms in Judah kindly write these
notes and attempt past KCSE questions on Nehemiah.
The second set of assignment is 2024 KCSE – paper one ALL questions. (Qsn 1-6)
- Paper Two answer question 1-4
ALL POSTED ON ZERAKI PLATFORM.

NEHEMIAH’S FINAL REFORMS IN JUDAH.

A reform is a positive change which brings positive impact in the society.
To reform refers to amend/change of something or removal of faults or abuses therefore
bringing a transformation.
A person who brings reforms is referred to as a Reformist. A good leader should initiate
reforms where they are assigned duties
After the reconstruction of the wall, Nehemiah carried out several reforms which he felt were
necessary to the people of Judah who were regarded as covenant people.
Nehemiah reforms are classified as social reforms and religious reforms.
EXPLAIN NEHEMIAH’S FINAL REFORMS IN JUDAH.
1. Reinstating the Levites and other temple workers. (Nehemiah 13:10-13)
The Levites and singers had abandoned the temple because they were not supported by
people.
They had to look for a way to earn their livelihood and their daily bread since they were not
given their share for sustenance.

Nehemiah called them back to the temple to resume their work as singers and priests and
assured them support they needed.
2. Reinstatement of tithes and offerings. (Nehemiah 13)
Nehemiah encouraged the people of Judah to bring their tithes and offering in the temple.
The tithe and offerings were supposed to be used by the Levites since they had no other
work apart from serving in the Temple
The people made a covenant with him and agreed that they would give tithes for support of
priest in the temple.
3. Purification of the Levites (Priests) (Nehemiah 13:28-30)
priesthood was a sacred institution. Nehemiah cleansed the priesthood and also the
position of Levites to make them fit to serve God.

Nehemiah realized that the priest had engaged in activities which were ungodly.
Before reinstating them back to their positions in the temple, he purified them so as to be
pure before God.
4. Reform on Sabbath observance /Reinstatement of the Sabbath. (Nehemiah 13:15-22)
The people violated the Sabbath by engaging in business activities. The people of Judah
worked on Sabbath yet they were supposed to be a day of resting and worship.
 Nehemiah reformed Sabbath by ensuring that the gates leading to business areas were
closed
on Sabbath day so that people could worship God first before engaging in business.
Note: Nehemiah ordered for the closure of the gates of Jerusalem from the eve of Sabbath
to after Sabbath.

5. Cleansing of the temple (Nehemiah 13:4-9)

Cleansing the Temple refers to bringing change or cleaning the dirt done in the church so
as to remain a Holy place of Worship.
Nehemiah ordered the temple to be cleansed and having restored to its proper religious
use.
Nehemiah realized that Tobiah who was a non-Israelite was residing in the temple.
Nehemiah chased away Tobiah and is property so as to make the temple pure before the
lord.
6. Discouraging intermarriages. (Nehemiah 13)
Nehemiah realized that part of the problem affecting people had been caused by
intermarriages.
Nehemiah discouraged intermarriages because it was against God’s law.
Nehemiah warned those who had married foreign wives to divorce them.
The priest who had married the foreigners were dismissed to avoid defiling priesthood
Family.
Question: what is the role of the Church in promoting political reforms in Kenya today. (6mks)
Give reasons why Nehemiah carried out religious reforms in Judah.
1) To ensure that the Sabbath day was observed and kept Holy.
2) To cleanse the Temple which was defiled/misused by keeping foreigners
3) To restore the tithing system that had been forgotten for the upkeep of the Temple
4) To preserve the identity of the Jews as people of God for the covenant way of life.
5) To separate the Jews from foreign influence.
6) In order to cleanse the Jews who had intermarried with foreigners and exposed to idolatry.
7) Restore the true worship and the Israelites to remain faithful to the Covenant way of life.
8) To reinstate the services of the Levites as priests in the temple.
Relationship between Nehemiah’s exemplary life and the life of Jesus in the New Testament
1. Nehemiah was a prayerful person as depicted in many occasions. Jesus also prayed e.g.during the
transfiguration.
2. Nehemiah had compassion for his people when he learnt of their suffering and went back home to assist
them. Jesus did work of compassion as healing the sick.
3. Nehemiah was a reformer and did many reforms in Judah e.g. reinstating new covenant by dying on the
cross for the sins of mankind.
4. Nehemiah cleansed the temple by chasing a way Tobiah a foreigner. Jesus also cleansed the temple by
chasing away the traders who had turned the temple into a den of robbers.
5. Nehemiah faced opposition during his work of constructing the walls of Jerusalem.Jesus also faced
opposition from Jews religious leaders during his ministry.
6. Nehemiah stood for what was right and condemned evil practiced by the rich who were oppressing the
poor through the parables he used.
7. Nehemiah led the people as an example and was ready to serve the temple and participate in the work of
construction of the wall of Jerusalem. Jesus also humbled by serving the disciples during the last supper.
SIMILARITIES THE LIFE OF NEHEMIAH AND THAT OF JESUS
1. Both were prayerful
2. Both faced oppositions during their missions.
3. Both Nehemiah and Jesus were reformers.
4. Both cleansed the Temple
5. Both condemned social evils
6. Both demonstrated good leadership qualities
7. Both were compassionate/had concern for the needy.
8. Both were patriotic as they loved the Jewish community
Measures taken by Nehemiah to restore the Jewish community after the completion of the wall of
Jerusalem.
1) Nehemiah organized for the mosaic law to be read to the people and interpreted
2) Nehemiah led the Jews in renewal of the covenant/ celebration of feasts of booths
3) The people fasted/ held a national day of confession of their sins/ prayed for forgiveness
4) The covenant was sealed through the signing of the covenant agreement by Nehemiah and other
leaders
5) Nehemiah led the people in taking an oath of obedience in the mosaic law
6) Nehemiah redistributed the inhabitants of Jerusalem
7) Nehemiah dedicated the walls of Jerusalem in a ceremonial session
8) Nehemiah cleansed the temple and brought back the Levites into their positions
9) Through the reading of the law to the Jewish, they isolated themselves from the foreigners
10) Nehemiah stopped traders from carrying out ceremonial activities at the temple gate on the day of
Sabbath
11) Nehemiah discouraged the Jewish people from marrying their children to foreigners
Explain the relevance of Nehemiah’s experiences to Christians today.
1) Christians should be prayerful and seek God’s guidance through prayers.
2) Christians should expect opposition just as Nehemiah faced during his ministry.
3) Christians should persevere in God’s work and trust in Him just like Nehemiah
4) Christians should learn that leadership involves sacrifice, persecution and suffering.
5) Christians should help the needy in the society as Nehemiah condemned the oppression of the poor
in Judah
6) Christians should condemn all forms of social injustices.eg Corruption
7) Christians should be ready to forego personal interests like Nehemiah for the sake of the Kingdom
of God
WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. 2025