The bible tells story after story about those who God used to help guide His people over the years. We are familiar with individuals like Moses, who God used to help free His people from Egyptian bondage. Then there is Joshua who led God’s people into the promised land after Moses died. Not too long ago, in our midweek bible class, we studied the kings of Israel, who in many cases were ungodly leaders and led God’s people into idolatry, bringing calamity we have learned about in our Sunday morning bible class on the minor prophets. Over the course of this year, I have been given the task to share with you two subject matters: evangelism and leadership. I believe these two topics are inextricably linked together: that is, evangelism is in part the result of God focused leadership. More about that as the year unfolds.
Today, I want to look at leadership in action through the story of Nehemiah. As we have noted in our Sunday morning bible class, the prophet Haggai came to focus on the temple being rebuilt (520-516 B.C.) while Ezra came later (458 B.C.) to help restore knowledge and respect for the Law of Moses. Nehemiah’s mission is the result of news he received, “the survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3). So taken by this discouraging news, he immediately goes to the Lord in earnest prayer. At this time Nehemiah is cupbearer for king Artaxerxes who noticed he was not himself. The king hears his anguish and sends him to Jerusalem on a mission to lead the way to rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.
“…I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem…” (Nehemiah 2:12)
Godly leadership springs from a heart of conviction. When we consider the work of an elder in the Lord’s church, the very first qualification is that “he desires a good work” (1st Timothy 3:1). That Greek word translated desire means to set the heart upon, i.e. long for. To be a good leader you must be certain you want to lead. This describes Nehemiah so well. After examining the ruins of this once great city, he says to those with him, “Let us rise up and build” (Nehemiah 2:18). Now inspired by Nehemiah, the rebuilding process begins. Chapter 3 is about groups of people assuming the task of rebuilding, but like the building of the temple, there were those who were not so thrilled with what was taking place. Chapter 4 opens with Sanballat the Horonite who is someone who was “deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel” (Nehemiah 2:10) and now finds himself “furious and very indignant” hearing that the wall was being rebuilt and “mocked the Jews” (Nehemiah 4:2). If that was not enough, he, along with others “conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion” (Nehemiah 4:8). What did Nehemiah do? Not swayed by their tactics, he prayed for God’s deliverance (Nehemiah 4:4). God’s leaders must be prayerful. Moses prayed often. We know that Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16). Then Nehemiah became resolved to finish the job he was called to do. He placed men in places to protect the workers (Nehemiah 4:13). And then he tells the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14). This mission was more about God’s people than it was about a wall. Nehemiah’s resolve helped the mission to be completed.
You may have noticed that three letters were highlighted in the article. CPR. That is what the Lord’s work needs every once and a while. It is needed to help bring life back into God’s people. We need to have men who are certain that God has called them to lead, prayerful in their willingness to assume that role and resolved to help bring the mission of God’s people back into focus. There is always need for reflection as God’s people (2nd Corinthians 13:5) and sometimes that reflection reveals to us a need to rebuild. Are you ready for that mission?
Biddeford Church of Christ 