CONFIDENTIAL RESEARCH. Nehemiah 2:13-16 Nehemiah knew that God was with him in the work before him, and rather than wait too long, he "arose in the night" to reconnoiter the area and view the ruined walls and gates. The three days of rest would have calmed his spirit and renewed his body. It would also have made it clear to him that there would be opposition to rebuilding the walls. His task was clear before him. The public worship of the Lord's people had to be safe, or they wouldn't even come to the temple. Family life had to be safe in order for it to be normal and pure. The Sabbath day had to be kept, and the people had to be confident in the leadership for all of this to happen.
Ezra was a student of the word of God and a preacher. Nehemiah was a strong political leader and a soldier who wasn't afraid to use the sword if necessary. Both are needed in the work of the Lord. One knew the times and the people's practical needs. The other knew the word of God and their spiritual needs. Nehemiah’s actions provide a good example for us before starting a project: plan ahead. Make sure you have everything you need to make the project workable, and be realistic so you can move forward with confidence.
It doesn’t read like Nehemiah made a complete circuit of the walls, but mainly the southern part. Likely, the walls on the north were completely flat because that was the direction where the city was most vulnerable. Most attacks came from that direction. Uzziah had built towers on the west wall that overlooked the central valley between the Hinnom and Kidron valleys.
The King’s Pool suggests there was a well (“Jackal Well,” NIV) or perhaps the Pool of Siloam. The Dung Gate led to the garbage dump in the Hinnom Valley. The Fountain Gate may have been where water entered through the tunnel Hezekiah had built, and overflow would water the gardens [2Kg. 25:4]. Whether Nehemiah had gone around the whole city is not too important. What matters is that he knew enough to have a clear plan for building the wall and could present it and his purpose to those who had lived among the ruins for years.
Time spent realistically approaching the work of the Lord includes prayer, reading the word of God, meditation, a biblical approach to the work, and "a few men." When the final objective is clear in one's mind, we can then consider what we have to work with, what has to be scrapped, what can be reused, how to remove obstacles, and how to delegate responsibility to those with whom we will be working. Nehemiah's nighttime tour gave him the understanding he needed. In some places, he could ride a donkey or mule through, and in others, the debris was so heavy that he had to walk. Because of that firsthand knowledge, he could now speak with confidence and assurance to the priests, nobles, rulers, and "the rest that did the work."
The project was clearly stated; the purpose was clear. After the survey, the way to proceed was clear. Now he could go public with a clearly stated purpose for what had to be done. There was no place for gossip, speculation, or rivalry. There was no need for planning sessions, but there was a need for immediate action before the opposition could get organized. What was needed was immediate cooperation, motivation, and participation.
Balanced leadership requires more than one person. It is important in assembly life to have men who know all areas of need. Plurality of leadership does not mean the elders are all alike. Usually, there are those who step out in front, like Nehemiah, who can organize the people and define objectives in terms everyone understands. There are those who may be quiet in public, yet whose spiritual weight is unmistakable and whose guidance is plainly from a divine perspective. One is practical; another is spiritual; others may be supportive, and yet others are cautious. When guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit, this creates balance in assembly life.