Last week we saw the characteristics of a godly leader in Nehemiah. When he heard the disturbing news concerning the Jews who escaped captivity, the report was very distressing. Hanani reported the walls of the city of Jerusalem were lying in rubble, the gates burned, and even worse, God’s people were being reproached and disgraced. After hearing this news, Nehemiah wept and prayed to the God of heaven for months. In fact, for four months, from the months of Kislev to Nisan, our December to March. His request was for God to have His eyes and ears attentive to His servant’s needs and for success in restoring God’s people and social stature.
Beginning in the second chapter of Nehemiah, we are going to see God’s providential care for Nehemiah and His people. We will see what happens when God is on His servant’s side. When God is consulted and asked to help, great success ultimately takes place.
Nehemiah, when asked by the king what his needs were, instantly consulted God and God fulfilled his request. This prayer was answered by the way God laid His hand upon Nehemiah. The prayer was answered through the favor Nehemiah found in the king. The king aided Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem with safe travels and necessary supplies.
This is such a rich text because it shows how God can work through pagan kings and rulers to accomplish great deeds. This account is another reminder that God is able to finish what He has started. He promised Nehemiah that the walls of Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the Jews would be restored.
But it didn’t come without its challenges! There would be a need for individuals to be willing to be involved. There was a large portion of Jews not only willing, but eager, to help rebuild the walls under Nehemiah’s leadership.
There would be those who would resist this restoration for their own evil reasons. Nehemiah’s leadership helped the Jews overcome the opposition and threats from the enemies.
The main take away from this study will be for us to find application for our individual lives and as a collective body of believers of our Lord’s church. How do we seize these blessings from past lessons?
As we assemble together this Sunday, I hope we gain greater knowledge and spiritual strength to complete that which God has started, building us up in Christ our Lord and His church.
“And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
In Christ,
Steve