NEHEMIAH-THE MASTER BUILDER
NEHEMIAH
The Master Builder
CLICK TO READ THE BIBLE VERSES/CHAPTERS THAT MENTION NEHEMIAH
I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
NEHEMIAH 2:4
Times of trial require godly leadership. Facing criticism and opposition, Nehemiah resolutely led the small Israelite community as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem for its physical protection. But he also did not hesitate to guide the Israelites spiritually. By demanding that the Israelites obey God’s law, Nehemiah pursued their spiritual as well as their physical welfare.
Purpose • In His covenant with Israel, God had spoken of a place where He would establish His name. In fact, Moses had told the Israelites to “seek the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place” (Deut. 12:5). Later, it was revealed that this place was Jerusalem. When the temple was built during Solomon’s reign, Jerusalem was at the height of its glory. Its fame helped to spread the glory of God’s name throughout the nations. But God allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed because of the faithlessness of the Israelites. Even though Jerusalem lay in ruins during Nehemiah’s time, it was still God’s purpose to establish His name there.
The Book of Nehemiah records the restoration of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah.
In the book, the returning Jews showed spiritual lethargy and a coldhearted indifference toward God. This problem continued, for the Book of Malachi denounces the Israelites for the same attitudes.
It took a determined, godly leader like Nehemiah to motivate this group to act on God’s promises and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
However, the completion of Jerusalem’s walls is only half the story of Nehemiah. The walls are rebuilt by chapter 6, but the book has seven more chapters. These last chapters record a revival and describe the repopulation of the city. The subject of the book is not merely the rebuilding of the walls, but the complete restoration of the people of Jerusalem.
The Book of Nehemiah makes it clear that God did not restore His people only one time; rather, He repeatedly, constantly, and continually restored His people. He sent a number of prophets and leaders to teach, motivate, and guide the people into righteousness. Zerubbabel led a group of exiles to Jerusalem and began to rebuild the temple (see Ezra 1—6). Then Ezra led a second group of exiles back to Jerusalem and helped restore the people to obedience to the Mosaic law (see Ezra
7—10). Then Nehemiah returned and motivated the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (chapters 1—6). Finally, Nehemiah returned a second time and exhorted the people to adhere closely to
God’s law (chapter 13). The pattern is clear: God continually restored His people. In spite of their unfaithfulness, God accomplished His will. The restored walls of Jerusalem, the repopulation of
Jerusalem, and the repeated reformation of the Israelites were clearly God’s work. In the end, His name would be glorified.
Most notable quality: Trust in God
Most notable accomplishment: Rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem
Date lived: 450 B.C.
Name: Nehemiah, meaning “Yahweh comforts”
Major text: Book of Nehemiah
Bare Bones Background
It has been 13 years since Ezra the priest arrived in Jerusalem and began to model godliness and uphold the authority of God’s Word. Reforms have begun, but over the years, many people have grown cold toward following God’s law.
Some have again begun the practice of marrying pagan women. The country is
struggling to fend off threats from hostile neighbors. Nehemiah, a trusted cupbearer of the Persian king Artaxerxes, hears distressing news on the state of affairs in Judah. Jerusalem is being held in contempt by its surrounding neighbors because its walls still lay in ruins, even though many Jews have already returned to this city and their homeland.
Quick Sketch
Nehemiah is ashamed that God’s holy city should be held in such contempt.
As he begins to pray about this, he develops such a burden for Jerusalem that he asks permission from the king for a leave of absence to go to Judah as its governor with the desire to restore the reputation of Jerusalem.
When Nehemiah arrives, he finds the condition of Jerusalem just as he has been told. He motivates the entire population of the city to start rebuilding the wall, which had been in ruins for 130 years. The feat is completed in just 52 days!
Then Nehemiah must deal with hostile neighbors, greedy leaders, and a people who have lost their zeal for God. With the help of Ezra, the priest, the law is taught, and people respond and reforms are again instituted. Nehemiah returns from his leave of absence to the king, but then returns to Jerusalem for a second term as governor and finds that once again the people have drifted away from God. He again insists on and obtains the people’s obedience to God’s law.
The Big Picture
Nehemiah’s vision is formed—Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah is greatly disturbed when he hears that Jerusalem is in such sad condition. Aware that the cause of the problem lies with the sin of the people, he prays and mourns for days. From his time in prayer he realizes that the people must honor God and rebuild their city walls. As the vision is forming in his mind, he also realizes that as the king’s trusted cupbearer, he has the resources to help.
Nehemiah’s vision confirmed—Nehemiah 2
To this point, Nehemiah hasn’t committed himself to anything. As a key official to the king of Persia, Nehemiah asks and is granted the authority and materials needed to do his part in the completion of Jerusalem’s wall. Now Nehemiah is committed!
Nehemiah shares his vision—Nehemiah 3
When Nehemiah arrives in Judah, he shares his vision with the people, who are needed to help complete the wall. The people are motivated as he appeals to their national pride and his confidence in God’s support. The people respond and affirm Nehemiah’s vision.
Nehemiah’s resolve—Nehemiah 4
The people surrounding Jerusalem oppose the rebuilding of the wall and plan attacks upon the workers who are building the wall. Refusing to be intimidated, Nehemiah arms the workers, who work and keep watch in shifts.
Nehemiah’s example—Nehemiah 5
Enemy opposition and difficult times have produced great financial burdens on the people. To survive, many have borrowed money at high rates of interest to buy food. Not being able to repay the loans, the local princes and nobles confiscate the people’s homes and land, forcing many to even sell their children into slavery to pay their debts. Nehemiah has set the example by not taking tax money for his own expenses. He now forces the wealthy to restore the lands they have taken and to cancel their loan interest charges, which had been forbidden by the law (Deuteronomy 23:19–20).
Nehemiah’s ultimate goal—Nehemiah 8–10
Nehemiah’s immediate goal is to see the wall rebuilt, but his ultimate goal is to see the people honoring God in their lives. To accomplish this, Nehemiah calls a national assembly so that Ezra the priest can teach the people God’s law so they could identify the ways in which they had violated the law. Nehemiah can’t bring about revival, but God’s Word can. The people respond to the teaching by confessing their sins and agreeing to make corrections in their lifestyles.
The Portrait
From the day that Nehemiah understood his part in God’s plan for the people
of Judah, his trust in God’s provision and protection was unshakable. His confidence was contagious, and the people responded by working together to rebuild the city wall. Nehemiah didn’t ask anything of the people that he wasn’t living out in his own life. He also provided for his own needs and those of his people, which helped lessen the tax burden on the people. And finally, his personal integrity and compassion served as a model of spiritual leadership for the nobles and rulers who were exploiting the poor people in Jerusalem. His life and practices continue to be an example and a guide for spiritual leaders in the church down through the centuries.
Life Lessons from Nehemiah
- Prayer expands your vision. Nehemiah prays for the needs of his beloved Jerusalem. As he prays, he begins to realize that God has put him in a strategic place to provide for that need. Nehemiah’s prayers helped to expand his vision of his own usefulness. What burden is on your heart? Allow God to expand your vision as to how that burden can be lifted. Might you be the answer to your own need, or is God’s directing your resources elsewhere? In either case, prayer is the starting point for expanding your vision.
- Trust God to provide and protect. Nehemiah comes to Jerusalem trusting in God’s ability to provide not only for his needs but for those of the people. His confidence in God inspires people to trust in God as well. How strong is your faith in God’s provision and protection? Trust God in the midst of your troubles, and your confidence will inspire others to put more trust in God as well.
- Teamwork is essential for the completion of major tasks. When Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he observes a city whose walls have been in ruins for more than 100 years. He appeals to the people’s national pride and offers his support and that of the Persian king. The people respond by working side-by-side to complete the wall in an amazingly short time—52 days! Do you have a task that seems overwhelming? It probably is, if you are attempting to do it alone. Who can you draft to help? Any task has more chance of completion if you enlist the help of others.
Approximate Time Line for Nehemiah’s Service
- Prays and receives permission (5 months)
- Travels to Jerusalem (4 months)
- Rebuilds the wall (52 days)
- First term as governor (12 years)
- Returns to Persia (9 years)
- Second term as governor (14 years)
The events of Nehemiah’s life are recorded by Ezra no later than 400 B.C.
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NEHEMIAH [Nē he mī′ ah]—JEHOVAH HATH CONSOLED.
1. A chief man who returned from exile (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7).
2. The son of Hachaliah and cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:1).
The Man Who Had a Mind to Work
Nehemiah and Hanani were the sons of Hachaliah (Nehemiah 1:1; 2:5; 7:2), and the references suggest that the family belonged to the capital. Nehemiah, although born in exile, grew up in the faith of Israel’s God. Nehemiah’s name appears as a prince, not as a priest (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1), and he was perhaps the chief man who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7). As the king’s cupbearer, he held a high place of honor in the palace of Shushan (Nehemiah 1:11), having confidential access to the king. His Persian name was Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8). He was one of the princes who signed the covenant (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1). He became ernor of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:1). Josephus says that Nehemiah died of old age and that the repaired walls of the city constituted his best and most enduring monument.
For his patriotic task (Nehemiah 1:1–4), Nehemiah was well qualified. As a true Israelite, he labored for the purity of public worship, the integrity of family life, the sanctity of the sabbath. Ezra was the student and preacher; Nehemiah, the soldier and statesman. He was courageous and God-fearing, and brought to his labors a noble disinterestedness, and unblemished rectitude, a dauntless spirit and unswerving loyalty to God. Alexander Whyte in his helpful essay of Nehemiah speaks of him:
As a self-contained man. A man of his own counsel. A man with the counsel of God alone in his mind and in his heart. A reserved and resolute man. A man to take command of other men. A man who will see things with his own eyes, and without all eyes seeing him. A man in no haste or hurry. He will not begin till he has counted the cost. And then he will not stop till he has finished the work.
While we are compelled to pass over a full exposition of the book of this patriotic Jew whose heart was stirred with sorrow over the derelict condition of Jerusalem, we must linger over some of its important aspects.
I. He illustrates the strength which comes from an inspiring purpose and definite aim.
Open opposition and underhanded wiles had to be faced, but undauntedly Nehemiah persisted in his task (Nehemiah 6:3).
Among the hostile methods rected against his noble mission were:
Ridicule (Nehemiah 2:19;4:2). But Nehemiah prayed that such reproach might return to the reproachers which it did (Nehemiah 4:4–6).
Nehemiah 2:19
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”
Nehemiah 4:2
2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?”
Nehemiah 4:4-6
4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!
5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.
6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
Fear (Nehemiah 4:7–23). Enemies delivered an ultimatum but Nehemiah set a watch. Swords and trowels were united (Nehemiah 4:18).
Nehemiah 4:7-23
7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry,
8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.
9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.
10 Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”
11 And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.”
12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.”
13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
15 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.
16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah.
17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.
18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall.
20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
21 So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.
22 At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.”
23 So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing.
Nehemiah 4:18
18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
Guile (Nehemiah 6:2–4). Nehemiah knew that conferences were useless, and so shunned them.
Nehemiah 6:2-4
2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.
False accusation (Nehemiah 6:5–9). This patriot had no selfish motives behind his endeavors.
Nehemiah 6:5-9
5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king.
7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.
8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”
9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”
Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Temptation to tempt God (Nehemiah 6:10–13). Nehemiah refused to hide himself in the Temple as if he was doing wrong.
Nehemiah 6:10-13
10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.”
11 And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”
12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13 For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
Corruption of friends and associates (Nehemiah 6:17–19). This was the meanest act of Nehemiah’s foes.
Nehemiah 6:17-19
17 Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.
18 For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my [a]words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.
II. He sets forth the strength that comes from humble dependence upon God.
True to God and his principles, Nehemiah surmounted all his enemies and obstacles. His sterling character stood the acid test, for he was a man of dependence upon God (Nehemiah 1:5–11), single-hearted in his devotion to God and his work, wise in taking proper precautions against surprise attacks, ever encouraging to those who labored with him. Making his prayer to God, Nehemiah knew that God would fight for him (Nehemiah 4:9,20).
III. He manifested the strength which comes from the sense of union and of fellowship.
All classes of people, even the daughters, were ready to take their place around the damaged walls. High and low worked together for the accomplishment of a God-inspired task (Nehemiah 3:12). With scorn, Nehemiah rebuked the pride and negligence of the nobles “who put not their necks to the work of their Lord” (Nehemiah 3:5). Fulfilling their obligation by repairing “every man over against his house,” the willing-heart with one mind to work illustrates the chain of living Christian fellowship.
Nehemiah 3:12
12 And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs.
Nehemiah 3:5
5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
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PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP
Nehemiah; Principle #1; Nehemiah 1:1-4
Intense Prayer: When we are in the midst of agonizing circumstances that seem hopeless, we should freely share our painful thoughts and feelings with God.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0464/
Nehemiah; Principle #2; Nehemiah 1:5-11
A Model Prayer: We should use Nehemiah's model prayer to seek God's help when we face unusual challenges in doing God's work.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0465/
Nehemiah; Principle #3; Nehemiah 2:1-8
Balancing the Divine and Human: When we are praying and asking God for help, we should also use our own talents and abilities to be a part of the answer to our prayers.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0466/
Nehemiah; Principle #4; Nehemiah 2:11-20
Planning Ahead: In attempting to carry out a difficult task, we should not only ask for God's help, but also carefully and diligently plan ahead.
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Nehemiah; Principle #5; Nehemiah 3:1-32
Strategic Planning: We should remember that people are the most important aspect of any strategic plan.
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Nehemiah; Principle #6; Nehemiah 4:1-6
Overcoming Opposition: When we are successful in doing God's work, we should expect opposition and take steps to defeat Satan.
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Nehemiah; Principle #7; Nehemiah 4:7-14
Courageous Leadership: When facing serious satanic attacks, as spiritual leaders we should assess the situation and challenge God's people to be strong in the Lord.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0470/
Nehemiah; Principle #8; Nehemiah 4:15-23
The Power of Unity: In our battle against Satan, we are to do all we can to create a spirit of unity and oneness among God's people.
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Nehemiah; Principle #9; Nehemiah 5:1-13
Internal Conflicts: Spiritual leaders should always be concerned about internal conflicts and confront the issues appropriately.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0472/
Nehemiah; Principle #10; Nehemiah 5:14-19
Leading by Example: When we confront inappropriate behavior, we are to model what we're asking others to do.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0473/
Nehemiah; Principle #11; Nehemiah 6:1-14
Handling Enemy Attacks: When experiencing personal attacks, we are to trust God, not allowing fear to cloud our perceptions.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0474/
Nehemiah; Principle #12; Nehemiah 6:15-7:3
Effective Delegation: When we delegate responsibilities, we are to select individuals who have both a strong relationship with God and a high level of integrity with people.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0475/
Nehemiah; Principle #13; Nehemiah 8:1-6
Reverence and Response: When we are exposed to the message of the Word of God, we should always respond with a worshipful attitude followed by obedience.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0476/
Nehemiah; Principle #14; Nehemiah 8:7-12
Communicating Clearly: When we bring the message of the Scriptures to others, we are to help them understand what God is saying.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0477/
Nehemiah; Principle #15; Nehemiah 8:13-18
Obeying God's Word: When we clearly understand God's will for our lives, we are to draw on His strength and make every effort to do what He has said.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0478/
Nehemiah; Principle #16; Nehemiah 9:1-10:29
Confession and Repentance: When we discover specific areas in our lives that are out of harmony with God's will, we should confess our sins and respond with repentant hearts.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0479/
Nehemiah; Principle #17; Nehemiah 12:27-43
Consistent Celebrations: We are to regularly praise God and manifest His glory as we continually dedicate our lives to serving God and one another.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0480/
Nehemiah; Principle #18; Nehemiah 12:44-47
A Reciprocal Ministry: As God's people, we are to care for the financial needs of those who minister to us spiritually.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0481/
Nehemiah; Principle #19; Nehemiah 13:1-31
Confronting Carnal Leaders: Spiritual leaders are to courageously confront sinful behavior when fellow leaders are causing God's people to stumble.
https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0482/
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BIBLE VERSES/CHAPTERS THAT MENTIONED NEHEMIAH
- EZRA 2:1-2
- NEHEMIAH 1-3,5-8,10,12-13
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