The Book of Nehemiah chronicles the return of the Jewish people from exile in Babylon back to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem. The story begins with Nehemiah, who served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, receiving news that the returned exiles in Jerusalem were in “great trouble and shame” (Nehemiah 1:3 ESV) because the walls and gates protecting the city were still in ruins. This greatly distressed Nehemiah, so he prayed and fasted, asking God for favor from the king to allow him to return to Jerusalem and organize efforts to rebuild the walls. God answered Nehemiah’s prayers, and King Artaxerxes granted his request, even providing support in the form of letters authorizing safe passage and ordering timber for the gates and walls.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he carefully surveyed the damage to the walls and developed a plan for rebuilding them sector by sector around the city perimeter. Despite opposition and mockery from surrounding peoples, Nehemiah was able to rally the people of Jerusalem to work together in this massive rebuilding project. Men from various towns, families, and occupations all took shifts working side by side on repairing the sections of the wall by their own homes. Nehemiah constantly encouraged them in God’s strength and protection despite resistance and threats from enemies like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem who opposed the rebuilding efforts. The people remained diligent, so the walls were completed in just 52 days!
A key theme emphasized in Nehemiah is prayer. At key moments when Nehemiah faced opposition or needed guidance, he would turn to God in prayer, acknowledging God’s sovereign control and asking for His help. For example, when Sanballat mocked the early progress on the walls, Nehemiah responded simply by praying, “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads” (Nehemiah 4:4 ESV). Thus prayer was a source of guidance and encouragement for Nehemiah as a leader and for the people as God answered their cries for help against enemies trying to stop His work in Jerusalem.
Beyond the physical rebuilding project, Nehemiah also had to address various spiritual reforms among the returned exiles. He appointed trustees for the storehouses to ensure proper distribution of food. He stopped the practice of wealthy nobles exacting interest from poorer Jews. He confronted Jews who had intermarried with foreigners against God’s law, even pulling out the hair of some offenders! Nehemiah reinstituted proper Sabbath observance and giving of tithes and offerings for the Levites and singers. He also led the public gathering to hear the reading of the Law by Ezra and reestablish the Feast of Booths.
In summary, the Book of Nehemiah provides an inspiring example of godly leadership, prayer, perseverance against opposition, and spiritual revival. Nehemiah’s priority was to see God’s people restored and living in obedience to the covenant. His trust in God gave him courage to confront wrongs and energize the people in a monumental rebuilding project. While focused on physical reconstruction of the walls, Nehemiah maintained his ultimate dependence on God’s sovereign provision. The success of the mission provides a testimony to how God blesses and protects His people when they walk in faith and obedience.
Key events covered in Nehemiah include:
- Nehemiah hears of Jerusalem’s ruined state and prays to God (Nehemiah 1)
- King Artaxerxes allows Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2)
- Nehemiah secretly surveys the damaged walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2)
- Nehemiah challenges the people to rebuild the walls (Nehemiah 2)
- Lists of builders working on repairing the walls (Nehemiah 3)
- Opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah as the work begins (Nehemiah 4)
- Nehemiah arms workers and posts guards while building continues (Nehemiah 4)
- Nehemiah confronts Jewish nobles about exacting interest (Nehemiah 5)
- Enemies like Sanballat plot attacks, but Nehemiah prays and posts guards (Nehemiah 4,6)
- The walls are completed in just 52 days! (Nehemiah 6)
- Nehemiah appoints trustees for the storehouses (Nehemiah 13)
- Jews confess sins and reaffirm the covenant (Nehemiah 9-10)
- Resettlement in Jerusalem, including dedication of the walls (Nehemiah 11-12)
- Nehemiah enforced Sabbath laws (Nehemiah 13)
- Nehemiah confronted Jews over intermarriage (Nehemiah 13)
- The reading of the Law led by Ezra (Nehemiah 8)
- Celebration of the Feast of Booths (Nehemiah 8)
Some key characters in Nehemiah include:
- Nehemiah – The cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia who led the project to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls
- Ezra – The scribe and priest who read the Law of Moses to the people (Nehemiah 8)
- Sanballat – One of the primary enemies who mocked and opposed the rebuilding project
- Tobiah – An Ammonite official who opposed and mocked Nehemiah’s efforts
- Geshem – An Arab leader who opposed Nehemiah and plotted attacks
The Book of Nehemiah provides many insights into godly leadership. As a leader, Nehemiah was passionate about God’s work, prayerful, patient, determined in the face of opposition, and quick to confront sin and wrongdoing. He inspired the people through his persistent trust in God. Nehemiah was both compassionate towards the oppressed and firmly opposed to sin. His priority was the spiritual welfare of the people, not just completing a project. Though firm at times, he led by example with a humble spirit of service.
In summary, Nehemiah provides an outstanding biblical example of leadership, highlighting qualities like:
- Passion for God’s purposes
- Prayerfulness and dependence on God
- Seeking wisdom for challenges
- Perseverance when facing opposition
- Rallying people towards a common vision
- Confronting wrongs and injustice with boldness
- Compassion and advocacy for the oppressed
- A focus on spiritual revival among the people
- Tactics for accomplishing great things through teamwork
- Celebrating God’s gracious provision and sovereignty
While Nehemiah faced a monumental project in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, his trust was ultimately in God to provide strength, protection, and blessing to His people. This allowed Nehemiah to lead with vision, boldness, and wisdom. As a result, the people were inspired to unite around a common purpose despite intense opposition. Nehemiah’s perseverance, godly character, and dependence on prayer make him an outstanding model for modern Christian leaders.
The Book of Nehemiah reminds us of the importance of seeking God in prayer for guidance and depending on His strength in the work He calls us to. It reveals how God blesses those who walk in faith and obedience to His word, even using imperfect vessels for His glory. Nehemiah’s perseverance against intense opposition also challenges believers to cling to God and stand firm when the world mocks and opposes the advance of His Kingdom. Ultimately God accomplished His purposes through Nehemiah’s faithful leadership in seeing Jerusalem restored and His people revived spiritually to live as the covenant community. This serves as an encouragement that with God’s help we can play a part in advancing His purposes in our own generation.