Introduction to Nehemiah

NEHEMIAH

-A man of prayer and work

The book of Nehemiah is the last of the historical books of the Old Testament. The subject matter has to do with the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem, but the lessons contained in the book relate to the man God used to accomplish the work God gave him. Not having been born in Israel he would have learned of his heritage from those who were willing to tell the next generation why they were a unique people, their history and why God was so important to them. Unless we who know the Lord are willing to spend the time to tell our children and grandchildren what we know about the Lord, and why faith in Him is so important, the following generations will settle down to a comfortable life in the world and will perish in their sins. The son of the man whose name means "the darkness of the Lord," was named Nehemiah whose name means, "the comfort of the Lord."

To not learn the lessons of failure from a past generation is likely to cause failure in the present and future generations. "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning..." "All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Our offspring are in danger of being lost if they do not have a clear and true understanding of our Lord God and in true repentance, fall upon His mercy for forgiveness and place personal trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone as their personal Savior.

Nehemiah was in a comfortable position in the court of the king of Babylon. The circumstances of his life were what most people want for their own comfort and satisfaction, but this man was to be "the comfort of the Lord." He had learned that eternal things take precedence over temporal things. That spiritual things take precedence over the physical things. Whoever the person was that impacted this man in his early years, likely his own father Hacaliah, did a good job. Nehemiah's heart was where God's heart was. The temple was there and the city of his forefathers needed him. When God has the heart of His servant, He can use that person to do great things in His work. His allegiance and patriotism to his heritage, and consequently to his Lord, changed everything in his life. He had learned some good things about commitment and leadership in the secular role he held in the king's court. He would have learned that carelessness in commitment could lead to the loss of life of others and his own. He would have learned that those who led other people need to be conscious of that which is going on around them both in circumstances and in the lives of the people he was leading. He would have learned not to get distracted by trivial things at the expense of those things that are important.

During the seventy years of captivity, the Jews had been threatened with extermination by the edict of Haman, and yet had prospered. In fact, when the opportunity arose for them to return to their homeland, only a comparatively few wanted to go. Nehemiah may not even have been born when Zerubbabel and Jeshua led the first group of 50,000 Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. A few years later Ezra and 2000 to 3000 people with him went to Judah and were able to get the work restarted and the temple finally finished. When we lose sight of what it means to be in the family of God as a citizen of heaven, we soon become like the people of the world who live for success, pleasure and some for fame. An awareness of God at work in one's life makes the empty bubbles of earth of little value to those who live godly.

Like Nehemiah, if we are conscious of God at work in the world, and know His presence is with us, it is normal for us to communicate with Him in prayer. Some of Nehemiah's prayers were only a few words and others longer and of greater scope of interest and need. When a child of God is not self-centered or overly concerned about his own interests, he is given by God an understanding of that which is important to our Lord. The condition of soul of the Lord's people, the furtherance of the work of the Lord and the need of strong leadership are all concerns to one who is in fellowship with God.

A concern for the unfinished work locally and abroad is a reason for our heart interest and earnest prayer. An awareness of the condition of things in the world, the nation and the assemblies of God's people motivates us to forget the comforts to which we have become accustomed and to deny ourselves and "take up the cross" of identification with Christ and His kingdom. When we are willing to go forward ourselves as laborers in the harvest, then we are not hypocritical in "praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest." When we are willing to be God's answer to our prayers, then we will find others are able to inspire still others to step out in faith and work for the Lord.

It is important for us to recognize as Nehemiah did, the nobility and holiness in the work of the Lord. There is nothing trivial in any way when we are responsible for transmitting truth or are engaged in other parts of kingdom work. To some earth-bound people it seems foolish to leave comfortable circumstances and success in order to bring the Gospel to people who could care less. Some people are looking for a reason for their own existence and don't know where to turn. Others have no concern because they have never clearly understood the fact of an eternal existence in heaven or hell and a lost eternity.

Nehemiah had the objective of providing safety and security for God's people so clearly in his heart and mind that he was able to move forward in spite of opposition. He encountered outward opposition from those who did not want God's people to live separated lives and there were also inward hindrances, but he persevered because he was confident that what he was doing had divine sanction. In all of his activities he gave God all the glory and credit for what was accomplished. That is one of the reasons for prayer. By expressing our desire for God and our need of Him in any endeavor, we have placed the whole enterprise in the hands of the only One who can make the outcome successful and right.

By the practice of prayer, we become part of the work of God. If we pray the prayers of intercession on behalf of others, we have part in the success of the work that is in their hands. Prayers of supplication are effective when we are specific in our requests and the objectives we anticipate. By the fact of communicating directly with God who has "all power," we become a part of that which is beneficial and lasting. We rejoice with thanksgiving when we see and hear the answers to our prayers. By our words of adoration and worship we are able to glorify God and display His honor to those who are in need of assurance and/or salvation.

Nehemiah is a model to us of one who honors God, is in communion with God, is committed to God and His work. He cared for the physical and spiritual needs of God's people whom he had really only heard about. He practiced the leadership principles he had learned and experienced. He was willing to forgo advancement and personal comfort for the problems, perseverance and pain involved in the work of the Lord.

"Gracious God, my heavenly Father, when I read about those men of old who made such important choices even when their lives were considered successful, I am made to express my thanks for all of those who have made similar decisions down through the ages. The names of many are in the history books, and there are some I know personally. May I and others like me never lose sight of that which is important in the light of eternity. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Amen."