Nehemiah

A NOTABLE LAY LEADER

NEHEMIAH

Scripture references:
The Book of Nehemiah

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NEHEMIAH’S ROLE IN SCRIPTURE

Nehemiah stimulated yet another return to God and His ways while he was governor of Judah, then a province in the Persian Empire. He also motivated and organized the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. He is another example of the influence a godly and committed leader can have on the people of God.

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Ancient monarchs feared assassination, by poison as well as other means. A “cupbearer” such as Nehemiah was a trusted official who was especially close to the king.

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NEHEMIAH’S LIFE AND TIMES

Nehemiah was an important official in the Persian Empire, with direct access to the king, when he heard that Jerusalem’s walls still lay in ruins. In Old Testament times cities without protecting walls were viewed with contempt, and Nehemiah was ashamed that God’s holy city should lie in such a state. Nehemiah then applied to the king for permission to go to Judah as governor, intending to restore the reputation of Jerusalem and of the Lord.

The Book of Nehemiah tells of his struggles with hostile neighbors and with a reluctant Jewish population that had grown cold toward following God’s laws. His little book has been looked to ever since as a guide to principles of spiritual leadership.

Nehemiah had a vision (Neh. 1). Nehemiah was deeply moved when he heard Jerusalem lay unwalled. For many days he mourned and prayed, deeply aware that this situation had been caused by his people’s sins. Out of his awareness of the need and his immersion in prayer, Nehemiah developed the conviction that God’s people, now returned to the holy land, must honor Him and rebuild the city walls. As the vision formed, Nehemiah realized that he himself had been called to carry it out.

Nehemiah committed himself to the vision (Neh. 2). Nehemiah held a key post in the administration of the Persian Empire and was a confidant of the king. Nevertheless he was ready to abandon his power and position to fulfill the vision. When Nehemiah asked the king for the governorship of the tiny district of Judah, his request was granted. This was a definite demotion as far as the world was concerned. But Nehemiah was committed to his vision of what must be done to honor the Lord.

Nehemiah shared his vision (Neh. 3). Nehemiah needed to motivate others if his vision was to be fulfilled. In Judah he shared his vision with the people and motivated them to join him in sacrificing to rebuild the city wall.

Nehemiah persisted despite opposition (Neh. 4). The peoples around Jerusalem opposed the plan to rebuild the walls and even plotted to attack the Jewish workers. Nehemiah refused to be intimidated. He armed the workers and continued to rebuild.

Nehemiah set a personal example of selfless dedication(Neh. 5). The rebuilding effort kept many from working their fields. Some of the wealthy loaned the poor money at interest and took their fields when they could not repay. Nehemiah, who had personally paid the governor’s expenses rather than take tax money from the people, confronted the guilty and forced them to restore the lands they had taken and cancel interest charges (which were condemned by the Law—see Deut. 23:19, 20).

Nehemiah saw to it that God’s Law was taught and obeyed (Neh. 8–10). Nehemiah was committed to seeing to it that’s God’s people honored the Lord by their lives, as well as that the city of God honor the Lord by restoring the wall. He called for a national convocation so that Ezra might teach the people God’s Law, and then saw to it that violations of the Law were corrected.

While the people strayed when Nehemiah later took a leave of absence to report to the king of Persia, when Nehemiah returned he again insisted on and obtained obedience to God’s Law.

NEHEMIAH: AN EXAMPLE FOR TODAY

Nehemiah is rightly honored for his strong spiritual and political leadership. From Nehemiah we learn that to be effective leaders, we need to:

•     Become aware of a need, pray about it, and form a vision for meeting the need. Frequently those who form such a vision will be called by God to fulfill it.

•     Commit ourselves to the vision God gives us. Often we may have to set aside other perfectly valid concerns and give ourselves to carrying out the vision given by God.

•     Share our vision with others. One test for the validity of a vision is our ability to form a team of others motivated to see that the vision is carried out.

•     Persist in our efforts to fulfill the vision should opposition develop. Satan has an active interest in thwarting God’s purposes, so that opposition should not be unexpected.

•     Provide a personal example of dedication to the vision, bearing the burden of any personal sacrifices that may be called for.

•     Demonstrate a concern that all involved in the enterprise maintain a close personal relationship with God. God is to be honored in the workers as well as in the work.

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