Nehemiah's Burden and Response
The book of Nehemiah takes place approximately 13 years after Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem. While Ezra focused on spiritual restoration through teaching the Law, Nehemiah addressed the physical restoration of Jerusalem by rebuilding its walls. When the book opens, Nehemiah is serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the Persian capital of Susa.
Despite his prestigious position in the royal court, Nehemiah maintained deep concern for his homeland. When he received news about the condition of Jerusalem, his response revealed his profound love for God's city and people:
Nehemiah 1:3-4 (NIV):
"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's prayer (recorded in Nehemiah 1:5-11) demonstrates his understanding of Israel's history and covenant relationship with God. He confessed the nation's sins, recalled God's promises, and asked for favor as he prepared to approach the king with his request.
This prayer reveals that Nehemiah viewed the physical problem of Jerusalem's walls as a spiritual issue at its core. When King Artaxerxes noticed Nehemiah's sadness and inquired about it, Nehemiah courageously explained his concern for Jerusalem and requested permission to go rebuild its walls.
The king not only granted his request but also provided letters of safe passage and authorization for timber from the royal forests.
The Rebuilding Project
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah first conducted a nighttime inspection of the walls to assess the damage:
Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV):
"Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.' 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's leadership combined spiritual vision with practical organization. Chapter 3 provides a detailed account of how he divided the work among different families and groups, with each taking responsibility for a section of the wall near their homes. This approach distributed the burden and gave people ownership in the project.
The rebuilding effort faced significant opposition from neighboring officials, particularly Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. They first used mockery and ridicule:
Nehemiah 4:1-3 (NIV):
"When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, 'What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?' Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, 'What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!'"
When ridicule failed to stop the work, the opposition escalated to threats of violence. Nehemiah responded with both prayer and practical measures:
Nehemiah 4:9 (NIV):
"But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."
Nehemiah organized the workers into a dual role of builders and defenders. Each worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other, illustrating their commitment to both the task and its protection:
Nehemiah 4:16-18 (NIV):
"From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked."
Despite continued opposition through threats, plots, and attempts to distract Nehemiah from his work, the wall was completed in just 52 days:
Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NIV):
"So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 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."
The rapid completion of the project demonstrated God's blessing and the effectiveness of Nehemiah's leadership and the people's unified efforts. It also established security for Jerusalem and restored dignity to the city and its inhabitants.
Lesson:
Nehemiah's story teaches us that effective leadership combines prayer with action. Nehemiah began with passionate prayer but then moved forward with specific planning and implementation. His example challenges us to avoid both prayerless activity and actionless prayer, instead integrating spiritual dependence with practical steps.
The rebuilding project also illustrates the power of organizing work according to people's natural connections and interests. By assigning families to rebuild the sections of wall nearest their homes, Nehemiah tapped into their personal investment in the outcome.
This principle reminds us that service is most effective when it connects with people's genuine concerns and relationships.
Furthermore, the opposition faced during the rebuilding demonstrates that significant work for God will often attract resistance. Rather than being surprised or discouraged by opposition, we should anticipate it and develop strategies to continue the work despite obstacles.
Nehemiah's dual approach of prayer and practical precautions provides a model for facing spiritual battles.
Finally, the community's unified effort highlights the truth that major accomplishments require both individual responsibility and collective cooperation. Each person had their specific assignment, but all were working toward the same goal. This balance between individual and communal responsibility remains essential for effective ministry and community renewal today.
Prayer:
Sovereign Lord, like Nehemiah, we are often confronted with broken walls in our communities, churches, and relationships. Give us his combination of broken-hearted compassion and strategic vision to address these needs. When we see problems, help us to begin with prayer but then move forward with wise planning and decisive action.
Show us how to organize work in ways that honor people's connections and motivations, multiplying effectiveness through meaningful engagement. When we face opposition, guard us from both naivety and discouragement. Teach us to pray while remaining vigilant, trusting You for protection while taking responsible precautions.
Build unity among Your people as we labor together, each doing our part while supporting the greater work. Whether our task takes fifty-two days or many years, grant us perseverance to continue until the walls are restored and Your name is glorified. May the restoration of what is broken in our world bring honor to You and hope to those who witness it.
In Your holy name we pray, Amen.