Day 263, September 20 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Nehemiah 5:1–7:3
Leadership Challenges—Do not be Dissuaded
It is not always easy being a parent, teacher, employer, supervisor, or ministry leader. Circumstances going against us can make us want to pull our hair out or quit. There are internal and external problems in leadership. How do we handle them? Today’s lesson may help us.
A history of opposition and God’s protection
In 538 B.C., the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. Then, God moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to make a decree, allowing them to return to their homeland.
Immediately after they arrived home, the returnees built an altar to the LORD for worship. Then they rejoiced at the laying of the foundation of the temple. But the foreigners, occupying their land and neighboring property, didn’t want them there, and threatened them! After constant intimidation, the work stopped, and the people started working on their own houses, ignoring God’s house.
Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah urged them to repent, return to God, and rebuild the temple. And so, the work began again. The temple was completed in the reign of King Darius in 515 B.C. Were their troubles over? No.
The Jewish people were almost wiped out under a decree of King Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) by his Persian nobleman, Haman. But, God turned the tables on him through Queen Esther and saved his people.
At the beginning of the reign of King Artaxerxes, the leaders of the Trans-Euphrates area (where Israel resided) tricked the king into believing the Jews were betraying him. They said the Jews were rebuilding their nation and would soon rebel against him. Then they would no longer be a vassal state and pay taxes. Seeing the disadvantage to Persia, the king ordered the work stopped.
Then, once again, the LORD began to work on behalf of the Jewish people. Ezra, the priest, was well-respected by King Artaxerxes. He changed his mind about the Jewish threat and allowed Ezra to lead another delegation of Jews back to the land. Many spiritual reforms were made under his leadership.
Later, in 444 B.C., King Artaxerxes allowed Nehemiah, his cupbearer and friend, to lead another delegation of people back to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. The walls were still charred rubble, leaving the city unprotected and susceptible to attack.
Again, the leaders in the Trans-Euphrates—Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab—tried to discourage the Jews in their work. Nehemiah would not be dissuaded. He continually prayed that God would remember him as he tried to lead the people through a threatened attack.
Internal Challenges
In today’s Bible reading, we see internal challenges that arise while working on the wall.
- Famine. The shortage of food was experienced unevenly. While some people had grain, others had to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and houses to get it.
- Taxes. To pay taxes to King Artaxerxes, some borrowed money from their fellow Israelites at exorbitant interest rates.
- Taking advantage of the poor. To pay their creditors, some Israelites had to sell their children into slavery.
Response
Nehemiah’s first response is anger. The prophet is not angry because he has to deal with the problem when he is in the midst of an important project— he is mad at the injustice being carried out. To ignore the situation would have discouraged the people, and the work might even have ceased. People need to know that their leaders care more about them than their projects. Leaders must take time to watch out for the welfare of their people. Do we?
External pressures
When the governor returns to building the wall with his Jewish brothers, external pressures also return. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem scheme to harm Nehemiah. If they can get him away from his assignment for a “conference,” they can kill him, and the work will stop.
They send four letters of invitation, but Nehemiah refuses to go. Finally, they send him a smear letter, accusing him of rebuilding the wall with the intent of making himself king and revolting against Artaxerxes. Nehemiah sends them this reply:
“Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I [Nehemiah] prayed, “Now strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:8-9, NIV).
And so, because of Nehemiah’s commitment to the work, his refusal to be deterred, and God’s protection, the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem is completed in just fifty-two days. Nehemiah gives this testimony: “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16, NIV).
Dates from The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.654
Discussion
Some problems within our family or organization are frustrating. They may cause us to want to tear our hair out (okay, for some, that may be too late). How should we handle internal challenges in leadership?
When external pressures theaten to end our lives or ministries, what should we do? Quit?
Focus Verses
Proverbs 12:24 (NIV) “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.”
1Corinthian 10:31 (NIV) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead: The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in just fifty-two days! It is time to Praise God, especially for His Unfailing Love. What has God done for you? Join us in our Next Lesson praising Him.
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