Spiritual Action and Response (Nehemiah 1-4)
4:36 AM
Nehemiah was one of the Jews who remained in Persia instead of returning to Jerusalem. In fact, Nehemiah held a position of honor as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. The cup bearers traditionally tasted the King’s drink (for quality and/or poison) and were responsible for bringing the cup to the King. This put the cup bearer close to the King in his daily life. Nehemiah could easily have remained focused on his own life and circumstances, with no concern for his fellow Jews so far away in Jerusalem, but that was not the case. We can learn much from the example of Nehemiah.
How Did Nehemiah respond?
1. With concern for the spiritual well-being of others. When he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were burned down and the gates destroyed, he was moved with sincere compassion and concern for the situation of the Holy City and his fellow Jews there. “As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days…”
2. With prayer:“…and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. (1: 4). His prayer confessed collective sin, declared the heart of a servant, and petitioned God to remember His promises to the Jewish people. It was a deeply humbled and sincere prayer.
1. With concern for the spiritual well-being of others. When he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were burned down and the gates destroyed, he was moved with sincere compassion and concern for the situation of the Holy City and his fellow Jews there. “As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days…”
2. With prayer:“…and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. (1: 4). His prayer confessed collective sin, declared the heart of a servant, and petitioned God to remember His promises to the Jewish people. It was a deeply humbled and sincere prayer.
3. With action: He decided to ask the King for leave to travel to Jerusalem, and He prayerfully asked God to intervene and provide what he needed. “And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” (2:8)
Nehemiah is granted permission to travel to Jerusalem and also sent with protection for safe travel and provisions for the task he wanted to accomplish. When he arrives, however, he surveys the conditions he must deal with and the challenges he must face. He realizes that this will not be easy, that he can not do it alone and that he will have opposition.
How Did Nehemiah respond?
1. By sharing his vision. He encouraged others by sharing his vision and by getting them to realize that God was going to help. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 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.” (2:17-18)
1. By sharing his vision. He encouraged others by sharing his vision and by getting them to realize that God was going to help. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 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.” (2:17-18)
2. Working in Unity. Chapter 3 lists out names of many individuals, tribes and families that contributed by repairing sections of the walls/gates. Nehemiah recognized and appreciated each individual contribution to the whole.
Initially, the efforts were rewarded with unhindered progress. But, as is often the case in this life, the oppositions and challenges presented themselves.
How Did Nehemiah respond?
1. He took it to God in prayer. Instead of taking personal offense to the insults and taunts of the enemy, he realized that the true assault was against God himself. He left the outcomes to God. “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.
Initially, the efforts were rewarded with unhindered progress. But, as is often the case in this life, the oppositions and challenges presented themselves.
How Did Nehemiah respond?
1. He took it to God in prayer. Instead of taking personal offense to the insults and taunts of the enemy, he realized that the true assault was against God himself. He left the outcomes to God. “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.
2. He set a guard against the enemy and continued to pray. The Bible tells us to keep a guard of our hearts and minds. We have to face the enemy and acknowledge his presence but ultimately we know that the battle belongs to God and must be fought in the spiritual realm.
3. He persevered but remained in battle mode in case of attack. We must not let fear stop us in our tracks but we must also stay ready for any attack of our enemy. Nehemiah had the people armed with weapons while they worked. They remained vigilant and always ready for battle. “So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. The Bible tells us also to be wary of our enemy, the Devil, who is always on the prowl to attack us. We are to “put on the whole armor of God” each morning as well so that we are ready for spiritual combat no matter when or where it comes from or what form it takes.
3. He persevered but remained in battle mode in case of attack. We must not let fear stop us in our tracks but we must also stay ready for any attack of our enemy. Nehemiah had the people armed with weapons while they worked. They remained vigilant and always ready for battle. “So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. The Bible tells us also to be wary of our enemy, the Devil, who is always on the prowl to attack us. We are to “put on the whole armor of God” each morning as well so that we are ready for spiritual combat no matter when or where it comes from or what form it takes.
Nehemiah is a great example of true compassion for others and a willingness to get involved even with the challenge of opposition. He is an example e of someone who truly sought the Lord for help, provision and comfort. He is also an example of one who persevered against the odds to serve the Lord and encourage others to do the same.
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