Day 262, September 19 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Nehemiah 1-4
Leadership in Tough Times
It’s challenging to complete a building project with construction delays. These can be caused by owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, people in the community, or even by nature (so-called “Acts of God”).
It’s easy to be a leader when things are going well. A person doesn’t even have to be a good leader; everyone is enjoying the ride, and few people are complaining. How does a person lead in tough times?
No protection
In today’s Bible reading, the prophet Nehemiah leads in challenging times. Although by the grace of God, many Jews returned to their land and rebuilt Solomon’s temple, still Jerusalem is a city without walls and without any natural protection. Her walls were broken down and charred when the Babylonian army destroyed the city and burned it almost 150 years prior.
Providence
During the early reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, the Jews had tried to rebuild the city, but her neighbors were troublemakers. The people of the Trans-Euphrates area sent a letter to the king to get it stopped (Ezra 4:7-23). For twenty-years, they were successful.In God’s providence, Nehemiah serves as cupbearer to the king. His job is to taste the food and drink to make sure they’re not poisoned, before they’re served to his majesty. As one might imagine, his cupbearer is one of the king’s most trusted friends, although he is a Jew.
In the twentieth year of Artaxerxes’ reign, Nehemiah receives a bad report about his beloved people living in Jerusalem. The problem is vexing; the Jews still live in a city with no walls and with no visible means of protection.
Nehemiah believes this is because the people have again forsaken God. He weeps, prays , and fasts over Jerusalem. Then he confesses his sins, the sins of his father’s house, and the whole nation of Israel. After that, he asks for God’s mercy.
A Plan
Nehemiah has a plan, but he needs the LORD’s blessing. In humility, Nehemiah pleads with the LORD, and God hears his prayer.
Do we earnestly seek God when we need his help? Do we desire to be right before we do right?
When Nehemiah next serves the king, he is sad in his presence. This is dangerous because the king is supposed to be kept happy; it is beneficial for everyone. But the cupbearer is the king’s friend, and so the king wants to know why Nehemiah’s face is downcast.
Nehemiah shares his concerns with the king. Seeing that King Artaxerxes is anxious to help Nehemiah, he says a quick, silent prayer and then shares his plan. Nehemiah is clear about what needs to be done and what preparations are necessary to accomplish the task. He doesn’t waste the king’s time. Principle: If we are eliciting support, we are more likely to get it if we have worthy goals and a detailed plan to accomplish them.
Nehemiah obtains official letters from the king to rebuild the walls and an armed guard to give him safe passage to Jerusalem. This is in 444 B.C. and is in fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies, given ninety-five years earlier (Daniel 9:25).After Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and before talking to anyone about his mission, he makes a quick but thorough assessment of the situation, personally surveying the damage. This is another good principle of leadership: we should be thoroughly acquainted with the problem before we share our plan to fix it. People will respect us for it.
The next day, Nehemiah shares his mission with the people and how the king has given permission for them to rebuild the walls. This is a complete reversal of a decision the king made previously. The Jews are excited and eager to rebuild, but their enemies are not happy. Nevertheless, the Jews make their start.
Building the wall
They don’t rebuild the wall in a half-hazard fashion. Nehemiah organizes the workers so that each will build his part of the wall in front of his residence or business. After inspiring workers with the importance of their tasks, he places them according to their interests and abilities. There they will be of the best use to themselves and to the completion of the project. Do we have a project we need to start or finish? We can follow Nehemiah’s example.
When Israel’s neighbors discover the walls are being rebuilt, they are angry. They continuously mock and threaten the Jews, trying to stop them. Will their enemies attack and destroy the walls before they are finished? How can the Jews stop them?
Asking for God’s help
What does the prophet do? He prays for God’s protection. He prays, and his people continue to repair the walls. Realizing the threat of an attack is real; however, Nehemiah prepares for it. Half of the people work, and half serve as armed guards. Is this faith? Yes. They realize God might require them to defend themselves. With this plan, they can continue the work.
Do we have a plan if we expect adversity? Will we allow the work to stop, or will we find ways to encourage workers to continue? Inaction during tough times causes discouragement and abandonment of the tasks. Pray, and then act.
Discussion
How does Nehemiah elicit Artaxerxes’ help to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls? What can we learn from it?
Are there other leadership principles that we can draw from Nehemiah? What are they, and why did they work?
The Transeuphrates area included the land of Judah and Samaria, the land the Israelites inherited from God but were expelled from because of their extreme wickedness.
insight from The Bible Knowledge Commentary, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 676
Focus Verses
Psalm 31:3 (NIV) “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”
Psalm 144:2 (NIV) “He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
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Looking Ahead: When Ezra the priest arrives, he too faces Leadership Challenges but of a different kind. What we can learn from him will help us. Join us!
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