Nehemiah 1 - 9

The Servant Leader

Note: This entry covers today and yesterday.

Nehemiah runs basically in parallel to Ezra, i.e. the books overlap chronologically.  While Ezra was a priest and interested in establishing the Law and true worship in the remnant of Jews allowed to return to Jerusalem by the Persian kings, Nehemiah was motivated to establish the practical aspects of daily life.  

Nehemiah was a wine steward to Artexerxes. He was informed by one of his brothers about the conditions of those who had returned to Jerusalem.  In particular, he was greatly moved by the description of the city walls and gates and the general disrepair into which the city had fallen.  He was grieved to the point that the king allowed him to return to Jerusalem with a small contingent of Jews to rebuild the walls and gates.  Artexerxes sent letters and provided safe passage.  Nehemiah, upon arriving in Jerusalem was even more shocked and grieved when he saw the city first-hand.

In spite of the opposition of Jews who had acclimated to the occupation, and others who were against the rebuilding of the city, Nehemiah determined in his heart to rebuild and repair the walls and gates.  He did this using a management style of leading by serving. (This is a style that many secular leaders should examine and adopt, but I digress!!!). This style is the paradigm that Paul teaches in the New Testament and a style adopted by Jesus Christ Himself.

Nehemiah, although governor, accepted no pay nor food portion from his subjects.  He labored tirelessly and unrelentingly to complete the rebuilding.  Because he placed God and the people ahead of himself, the Lord was with him and protected him and provided him with great wisdom.  Miraculously, he and those assisting him completed the project in a scant 52 days (6:15). 

His prayer and recounting of the history of Israel is recorded in chapter 9.  It is remarkable that such a detailed retelling could be accomplished in 31 verses (5 - 35), yet it is!  In verse 36 is one of the more somber verses in the Bible.

So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We are slaves in this good land. The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery.

The sadness and loss of this condition is captured perfectly in these ending verses (36-37). Despite their rebuilding efforts and their willingness to return to Jerusalem, the city is not fully "theirs."  They live their only at the whim of the king of Persia who permits it.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.