LABOR IN THE WORK. Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah knew it was important to keep the enemies outside from learning what was going on inside. To do this, all who had been coming into the city daily were to remain there until the work was completed. They were to serve as guards at night and work during the day. He was asking a lot of the people for the month and a half of intensive labor. But he did not ask anything of them that he was not prepared to give himself.
True leaders do not just serve "in an advisory capacity." They are involved in all phases of the work and do not slack off because of their position. They know how to work and know the people well enough to roll up their sleeves and lend assistance to anyone who needs help and personal encouragement. To keep a work entrusted to us from slowing down or even stopping calls for vigilant attention to the details and to the thoughts and concerns of those with whom we labor. To disparage or ignore others' complaints or suggestions will separate a leader from those he should be leading.
There was also an order established while the work was underway. Each group of workers had one of their own leaders supporting them and keeping a close eye on what was happening in front of and around them. This allowed those who labored to concentrate on their work and, at the same time, to be encouraged and led if an attack came. There was also a measure of security for each individual, as they carried a sword at all times. Those who carried material were to keep their weapon in one hand and do their work with the other. This meant they likely worked in pairs so that if they had to go outside the wall to dump rubbish or get material to bring to the work, they would be protected by each other as they carried a container together. In addition to being well armed and well-guarded, there was a communication system so that when Nehemiah sounded the warning, all the people could rally to the point of attack.
Nehemiah knew he was responsible for the overall work, and that everyone had to feel a sense of ownership. He was not an aloof man who told the people, "Do what I say." He used the words "we" and "us" as one does when he is actively involved in the work. In this way, he was a unifying force for the whole work. Even more, he knew he was a spiritual leader. He was a spokesman for God. "Our God will fight for us."
A hand of one man said to the hand of another, "How about lending me a hand? If we work in tandem, we can do as well or better than one man." So, working together, they carried a load that was easier than doing it alone. It may seem simple, but the unity showed until the task was finally done. There was more to consider than just one thing. The other hands of the two men were full. They carried a weapon, safety, to bring to the laborers lest they be killed. Unity and safety go hand in hand. It is hard to have one without the other. Thus, the work can advance as God has planned when we work together as brothers.
Tactics included having half the people working and half on guard in the face of the enemy. Leaders were posted in positions where they could quickly respond to an emergency and also help at other locations as needed. A mobile strike force was ready to act at all times, and guards watched day and night. Each worker kept a weapon ready for immediate use. Above all the preparations was their confidence that God would fight for them, so they were constantly prepared for any contingency.
Nehemiah was on the job twenty-four hours a day until the work was completed. He likely rested whenever he could, lying down for a few minutes wherever he was. Those who led the work took off their work clothes only when they washed. They worked and slept in their clothes, ready at a moment's notice for any contingency that might arise. A man that God can use has the big picture in his mind and heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ was with His own disciples as He prepared them for the work ahead. By His presence with them in the work, He made every part of every day's activity important. Nehemiah did the same. That is the leadership pattern we should follow today.
Josephus wrote in his book that Nehemiah made rounds of the city every night and didn’t seem to tire from the lack of sleep and the need for food because he believed it was necessary to be ready for anything that might happen.
A leader's ability to know what has to be done and how to do it is a good thing. He may be cool, calm, and collected under pressure. He may spend time praying for the work and for God's help in it. But unless he is willing to expend time, energy, and sweat in the work, he will find that the people who follow him will lose heart and soon make excuses for not showing up. "Water rises to its own level." A leader of people sets the level, and when he joins heartily with the saints of God in the work, joyfully and enthusiastically, he will find the work goes well and that God's people will be glad they are there and involved in such an important work.
When it comes to the work of the Lord, not everyone approaches it with the same level of interest. Some will wonder, "What's in it for me?" Others will say, "I can't give up my paid vacation time for something like that." Still others might ask, "How much an hour do you pay?" Then there are those who count it a great privilege to freely give their time and energy to work for the Lord in the assembly, in an outreach of the Gospel, or a project in a foreign country where missionaries need their expertise. Those who volunteer their time and money to help accomplish a project for the work of the Lord and the benefit of others will find that it is true that "God is no man's debtor."
New believers who join an assembly's fellowship, or people who move into an area from another assembly and want to become part of the local fellowship, need to know they are gladly received and accepted as part of those who share in the Lord's work in this location. At the same time, the expectations of those who have been in the assembly for years need to be realistic. New believers do not know what is expected of them unless someone goes out of their way to tell them and show them what has happened and is happening in this area. Also, we should not expect of them what they cannot do.
Significance and a sense of meaningful participation can begin with small tasks and gradually involve them in more important matters as their qualifications and gifts allow. Those who are mature and have been in the local work for a long time know what to delegate and how much to delegate over time. Taking undue advantage of a brother or sister in Christ is never right. That can lead to inward discontent and, later, to inward controversy, especially if we act strictly according to "the letter of the law" without the grace needed to make the expectations acceptable.