Lessons from the Life of Nehemiah

The story of Nehemiah is recorded in the Book of Nehemiah in the Bible. He was a cup bearer to the king of Babylon at the time, King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah asked about the situation of things from his brother and others who had visited from Jerusalem. He received a bad report at the time. The walls of Jerusalem were broken and the land is not in a good condition. So he decided to do something about it, and championed the project of rebuilding the wall.  The Book of Nehemiah did not only tell us the story of the rebuilding, it also sets us an example today of how to approach similar life situations and circumstances. Read the whole Book, thirteen chapters to get a good understanding. Few lessons for us today from the story.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:3-4

Change involves taking action.

Nehemiah was sad when he received the report on the situation of things in Babylon but he did not stop at being sad or complaining. He decided to do something about it. First he prayed and interceded on behalf of the people.

Prayer should be the foundation to build on any project.

The first thing Nehemiah did about the report he received was to cry out to God for help. The record of his prayer is in Nehemiah 1:5-11. He approached the king to request for help after he had spent time praying to the King of kings and that made a lot of difference on the outcome. Not only was he granted time off to rebuild the wall he received supplies and support to accomplish such.

Partnership and alliance is key to the success of any project.

Nehemiah requested help and support from the king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah’s requests were strategic and specific. He asked for time off to visit Judea, favor to pass through the different provinces and resources to build the wall.

 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.

Nehemiah 2:5-8

Every success has a story of challenge and rough roads.

Opposition arose in the homeland through Sanballat and Tobiah. The rebuilding of the wall was a threat to their livelihood and they were ready to do anything to stop it including coming up with conspiracy stories.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

Nehemiah 2:10

Count the cost. You will need a word from God to move on when the storm hits.

Nehemiah had to convince the Israelites on the project at hand. He needed to garner the support of the people and build a good team to get the work done. (Nehemiah 2:9-18). His testimony of favor with the king was a big encouragement and inspiration to move forward. Those in the team of rebuilding; priests, nobles, officials and the skill workers all had to be convinced and be onboard with the project.

 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Nehemiah 2:18

Team work makes the dream work

 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

Nehemiah 4:6

The rebuilding was a team effort. Read Nehemiah 3. Some kept watch to protect the builders from the enemies. They built night and day until the work was done.

Good leadership involves service and sacrifice.

Nehemiah served as governor for twelve years with a servant heart. He did not overburden the people he served.

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels^a] of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we^b] did not acquire any land.

Nehemiah 5:14-16

Be wise in your dealings with people especially when an enemy offers to help. Be wise as serpent and gentle as dove. 

The opposition continued even as the people continued to rebuild. Different forms of tactics employed – deceit, lies, threats, even employing false prophets.

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 prayed, “Now strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:9

Stay close to God to lead and guide all the way. 

The rebuilding of the wall was completed in 52 days.

Have you read the story of Nehemiah before? What lessons did you learn from it. Share your thoughts.

Shalom !