Nehemiah 1

The Book of Nehemiah is a classic on the subject of personal service to God. For in it we trace the experiences of one man as he is confronted with great need and see how he enters into the plan of God to carry out victorious service.

In order that we may have a clearer understanding of the book, it may be helpful to look at the historical element for just a moment. The Jewish people had been taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years, but in the year 530 B.C., the power of Babylon was broken by the power of Persia, and upon assuming supremacy, the King of Persia encouraged the captive people to return to Jerusalem.

Immediately, 50,000 of them did return and started rebuilding the temple that had been cast in ruin, along with the rest of the city, when they were overcome by Babylonia. They were able to rebuild the temple, but they had become discouraged in their labors, and the rest of the city, including the walls, still lay in ruin.

It was at this point that God raised up a man to match the needs of the hour. God spoke to Nehemiah and called him to the task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.

Our primary concern here is not with the history of the return of the Jews, but that we might draw from this book the great spiritual lessons that are here for us today.

There is a wall that each of us needs to be building today. It is the spiritual wall of defense that surrounds our own life, the church, and the Kingdom of God.

1. The Preparation for the Task
   • Nehemiah was in a high position in the King’s palace. He was a cupbearer, a position of real influence. Yet his interests were not with the expansion of Persia, but rather, he was concerned about God’s people and God’s plan in relation to Jerusalem.
   • Jerusalem’s Condition
     • One day, Nehemiah’s brother returned from a short visit to Jerusalem and reported the tragic story of the situation. Jerusalem lay in waste. The walls were broken and the gates burned with fire.

This may not be very touching to us today, but for a Jew to see the capital city lying in waste, such as this was a thing of great shame. It was a reproach to God, for Jerusalem was the symbol of salvation with its mighty walls, and its gates were the symbol of praise. The very emblem of salvation and praise was in utter ruin.

As Nehemiah learned of this, he fell down and mourned and wept. He fasted and prayed. Christ also wept over Jerusalem

Let us learn from this man’s example. You are never used by God to bring blessings until God has really opened your eyes and made you see things as they really are. Nehemiah was called to rebuild the walls, but first he had to weep over them. We are concerned with the walls I have already mentioned: the wall of our own heart, the church, and the Kingdom. Before we can rebuild these walls, we must first of all see the ruin in which they lie.

We should take a long look at the lack of Christian teaching today. We need to mourn over the indifference of Christian people. Christ was moved with compassion as he saw the crowds as sheep without a shepherd.

Perhaps most of all, we need to mourn over the failure of many of us to live lives that reflect Christ.

It was after Nehemiah’s weeping that he began his work.

There are times when we look at things as they are and see the ruin, we are tempted to say, “we are helpless to do anything about it; we might as well never attempt it.” Nehemiah recognized his helplessness, so he turned in prayer to God, who was able to bring victory out of this ruin. If we are to be effective in the work God has called us to do, we must first see our utter helplessness and then turn to God, who can intervene in the matter and work out His plan through our lives.

2. Prayer for the Task

• He prayed first of all for himself. (verse 6)
  • There were certain ways in which God would have to work in order that Nehemiah could be released for this work. He had to gain the favor of the King that he might be released, an utter impossibility unless God worked on his behalf.

• Prayer of confession. (verse 7)
  • He recognized that all of this was brought about by disobedience and sin.

• Prayer rooted in the past.
  • He went forth to remind God of His past deals with these people and the promise that He made unto them that He would bring them again to the place that He had chosen and His name would be set there.

Determination of Purpose

• Upon learning of God’s will and recognizing the need, Nehemiah was set in purpose to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He had a place of security and influence in the King’s palace; there were great prospects for this man for the future, but he cast all of this off that he might serve the Lord. He, like Moses, chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

He had a great purpose, although he may face great obstacles.

The principles of Christian service are the same today. We are prepared to serve the Lord only through sacrifice, and when we have seen the great need of service for our Lord.

May God grant us both vision and purpose as we undertake the great work of Him who has called us to serve.