Nehemiah: Biblical Leadership

Nehemiah

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. ELIJAH. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

In the book of Nehemiah, Persia still rules the world, but Israel is making a comeback. In keeping with Persian policy that allowed displaced peoples to return and rebuild their cities destroyed by earlier empires, about 50,000 Jews went back to Israel under the leadership of Zerubbabel. They faced strong opposition as they spent twenty years rebuilding the temple and their city, but God provided much-needed encouragement through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Eighty years later, Ezra returned to lead the Hebrews in spiritual renewal. Thirteen years after that, it was time for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. 

Last time we caught an intimate glimpse into Nehemiah's soul. When he heard the firsthand report that Jerusalem was without protective walls, he wept and mourned, then fasted and prayed "before the God of heaven" (Neh. 1:4–11). Now it was time for him to take appropriate action. 

Nehemiah held a trusted position in the court of King Artaxerxes (465–424 BC). He was the king's cupbearer which meant he served as a loyal advisor, managed access to the king, and tasted the king's drinks to protect the king from poisoning. This was a highly privileged assignment. So Nehemiah's petition to take a leave of absence and return to Jerusalem was no ordinary request. Yet in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign, the king granted his approval because, as Nehemiah said, "the good hand of my God was upon me" (Neh. 2:6-8). Nehemiah's trip from Susa to Jerusalem^[1] was a four-month journey.

Upon his arrival, Nehemiah's first step was to survey the work he had come to do. After three days, presumably to recover and get organized, he and a few trusted advisors inspected the wall under cover of darkness. They needed to assess the scope of the project before Nehemiah spoke to the officials. After their thorough inspection he reported: "And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work" (Neh. 2:18). 

I think there is a great lesson here. Leaders—especially parents—need to be surveyors of their families and students of their children. It is important to ascertain how our kids are wired in order to lead and teach them in a God-honoring and effective way.

Nehemiah met harsh opposition in his rebuilding project. He reported that Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem "jeered at us and despised us and said, 'What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?'" (Neh. 2:19). They mocked the workers, saying, "What are these feeble Jews doing? . . . Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish? . . . If a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall" (Neh. 4:2–3). Then they plotted to attack Jerusalem, so each worker "labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon in the other" (Neh. 4:17). Nehemiah kept the trumpeter by his side so he could sound the alarm if an attack occurred. He said, "In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us" (Neh. 4:20). This was an extremely dangerous and difficult task.

At one point, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem invited Nehemiah to a so-called "peaceful" meeting; however, Nehemiah didn't take the bait (Neh. 6:2; 6:10–12). He remained focused and kept the builders focused. They persevered, and amazingly, the rebuilding of the wall "was finished . . . in fifty-two days" (Neh. 6:15). Through his intentional and decisive leadership, Nehemiah put together a plan for allowing the work to continue and succeed.

Nehemiah knew that the rebuilding of the wall had to be supported not merely with stone and mortar, but with a strong spiritual foundation. He gathered the people together to hear God's Word, and all the people "gathered as one man" to hear Ezra the priest read from the Book of the Law of Moses. Ezra read "from early morning until midday . . . And the ears of the people were attentive to the Book of the Law" (Neh. 8:3). After he read to the whole assembly, teachers were sent out among the people to make sure they understood the reading (Neh. 8:8). The people confessed their sins, thanking God that he is always "ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Neh 9:17). 

Once the wall was completed, a special celebration was held "with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres" (Neh. 12:27). The dedication was so loud and enthusiastic that "the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away" (Neh. 12:43). 

After twelve years in Jerusalem, Nehemiah returned to his post in Artaxerxes' court. After some time he came back to find that the priest had allowed Tobiah, Judah's enemy, to move into the temple (Neh. 13:4–5), work was being done on the Sabbath, and the Jewish men had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab (Neh. 13:23). Nehemiah confronted the people, then reflected back on Israel's history, saying, "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin" (Neh. 13:26). Nehemiah corrected the wrongs that were being done and "cleansed them from everything foreign" (Neh. 13:30).

Today, we need leaders like Nehemiah, particularly in our homes—parents with an inner drive to honor God. We need leaders who prayerfully plan and work hard in the strength and joy of the Lord. Leaders who are not distracted or derailed by opposition. Leaders who lead spiritually by modeling repentance and worship. 

Let's pray that God will fill our homes and churches with many Nehemiahs. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Nehemiah. What opposition or distractions most threaten your focus in serving God faithfully?

Talking to God: Ask God to help you deal with the distractions in your life. 

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