Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes

    We have been studying the book of Nehemiah in my Bible study.  One of my assignments is to look at my notes on Nehemiah, the man, and to ask God what I can learn from this individual and apply it to my life.  I recently read the Bible in a year and was very drawn to Nehemiah.  Let me see if I can gather this rich information for you and me.   

      Our first chapter lets us know that the author, Nehemiah, is cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia.  It is the month Chislev, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes reign.  It is Fall, 426 B.C.  It’s been 141 years since the captives have returned to Jerusalem in Judah.  The temple is rebuilt and homes, but not the protective wall.

     Nehemiah is visited by his brothers and some men from Judah.  A little background history reminds us that Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans when they took more captives in a final siege.  God ordained that his people (the Jews) be held in Babylon for 70 years.  The brothers inform Nehemiah that the remnant that has returned to Judah are in great distress and reproach and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down.  The gates are burned with fire.

      Upon hearing this Nehemiah sits down and weeps and mourns… for days.  He is also fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  It is now 4 months later when the king points out his sad face. Nehemiah prays again, an SOS prayer, before King Artaxerxes and the queen.   God is at work!  Nehemiah has patiently waited for God to guide him and he has the opportunity to ask the king to allow him to go to Judah, to rebuild.  Here’s where we know God’s hand has been in this.  The king, who was against the rebuilding of Jerusalem, grants Nehemiah permission and sends him with army officials, official letters and grants permission for him to procure supplies for rebuilding!

       How in the world does this impact my life?  How does it impact your life?

       James tells us that we can ask God for anything but we must ask in faith, believing God will grant it!

”But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.“ ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ 

     Nehemiah has great faith.  He prays to God “on the spot”, a kind of SOS prayer.  God answers and Nehemiah listens.  What the reader will discover is that Nehemiah not only has great faith and listens to God, he can see the bigger picture.  He is a good leader, organizer, and motivator.  Nehemiah had men work closest to their houses so they could also be on their guard.  Oh, did I mention enemies?  Nations surrounding Jerusalem have threatened to kill Nehemiah and those working on the wall and gates.  It’s like the enemy working on us when we are about God’s business.

     In order to keep the men working instead of giving into fear, Nehemiah reminds them of the Lord, Who is great and awesome!

”When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.“ ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ 

     The enemy wants to rob our faith by using fear.  He wants to drive us away from God, from His promises, His truths and His grace.  Nehemiah reminded the people that they had broken God’s commands but, he told them to remember Him!  Their God would now fight for them!  Not only does God forgive us but He will fight for us.  Nehemiah fears the Lord and he wants the people to fear Him also.  Fearing God means reverent fear.  It means to acknowledge His sovereignty and His ultimate power.  We are nothing but chaff, without Him.

     Nehemiah was also a good disciplinarian to the people and stood up to the provincial governors who sought to kill him.  He told them that they had had no rights to Jerusalem. 

”So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.”“ ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/neh.2.20.NASB1995

      Nehemiah was also generous, using his own status and wealth rather than using the governor’s food allowance, which would take from the people.  

     Application in today’s world is the same.  If we trust in God, then;  We pray for God’s wisdom and we listen for His answer.  We wait with His good timing and we look for signs He is answering.  So, we speak (pray), we hear Him, we look for Him, then we act.  In today’s world there are many distractions.  We must also focus.  Know God’s word by reading and studying it.  Have fellowship with other believers.  Worship.

      Finally, look for ways to be Christ’s disciple.  Nehemiah traveled through danger, procured materials, enlisted the Jews, reminded the people of their God and hung in with them through it all.  He also warded off enemies by using God’s righteousness.  Nehemiah allowed God to work through him and the people returned to God’s commands and completed the building and repairs.  Can you do that?  Can we allow Jesus to not only call us, but use us to “rebuild the wall”?  By the way, the wall was rebuilt in 52 days!