| Introduction Oddly enough, of all the books I have preached through, I am enjoying Nehemiah the most. The Lord is using it powerfully in my heart. I pray that the Lord is using it in your lives as well. Nehemiah has a great burden for the city of God. He prays that the Lord would give him the opportunity to rebuild Jerusalem. The Lord eventually answers his prayers by placing him before the king in a situation that may cost his life. He embraces the Lord's answer and now he is on his way to Jerusalem to do what is humanly impossible: rebuild the wall of Jerusalem! I. Left Overs from Last Week A. When the king acquiesced to all his request, Nehemiah didn't exalt his eloquence or planning – it all came from the hand of his God, 8b. Pro. 16:1, 9 – The preparations of the heart belongto man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord…. A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Pro. 21:1 – The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. 1. God was a personal presence in Nehemiah's life – he calls him my God several times (see v. 18). a. God wasn't an occasional thought or presence. b. It was his God – not his parents', church's, or country's god. 2. Nehemiah acts because God is sovereign. a. Throughout this chapter we see Nehemiah's strong belief in the sovereignty of God. b. That belief led to action. c. That's the opposite of what some people believe concerning God's determining of all things. "The whole paragraph is thus a model of the balance that needs to be maintained between the total sovereignty of God, with prayer as its proper response, and human responsibility with its counterpart in wise and thoughtful activity. In the practicalities of the situation, Nehemiah appears unaware of any clash between these two, for he needed to know the truth of both if he was to make any substantial progress." H.G.M. Williamson in Word Biblical Commentary II. Assessing the Work, 9-16. A. It is difficult to know how long after getting permission from the king, Nehemiah left Shushan. 1. Josephus suggested 5 years, but it doesn't seem consistent with the sense of urgency that we get from reading the passage. 2. I think it is better to assume that Nehemiah got on his way as soon as he as able to put everything in order – maybe in a month or two. B. As Nehemiah journeyed to Jerusalem, he met with governors of all the regions between the Euphrates and Jerusalem, 9 – the three men who provide constant opposition to Nehemiah throughout the book were likely governors to the northwest, southwest, and east of Judea (more on them later). 1. We also learn that the king sent some muscle with Nehemiah. 2. That was a wise move on the king's part knowing that Nehemiah would face opposition from his own governors. C. After a couple of months on the road, Nehemiah needed three days of rest, 11. D. Before setting out to do the work, Nehemiah assess what the actual work is, 12-16. 1. He did not go all the way around the city either because it was unpassable or because what he saw was sufficient for him to see the massive project he was about to start. 2. He took the smallest possible delegation with him, including the fewest possible number of animals (probably donkeys because quieter than horses). a. Why the secret inspection? Nehemiah may have already had a plan in mind, but needed to make sure it would work before sharing it with the people. b. Remember that Nehemiah likely had never been to Jerusalem. 3. Nehemiah is doing what our Lord told us to do – consider the cost/task Lk. 14:28-32 – For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enoughto finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 4. He doesn't start talking with people about the project till he has something concrete to tell them, 16. III. Gaining Support, 17-18. A. Notice that there is no blaming anyone for anything – he says weand us. B. His main motivation is not guilt, but need and what is right, 17. C. Notice how he encouraged the people with what the Lord had done, 18 – again my God. D. I keep on saying it, but it bears repeating – Nehemiah was a godly leader. 1. A godly leader has the hand of God upon him and he knows it. "By his great confidence and dependence on God for success, he inspired the leaders and the people to a task they had considered beyond their abilities." Edwin Yamauchi in Expositor's Bible Commentary 2. A godly leader is able to assess and communicate reality with clarity and he was sure able to do that – response of people in 18b. a. This was true of Jesus himself. Mt. 7:28-29 – And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. b. Jesus was able to lead his people to do the impossible. Mt. 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. 3. A lot of trouble comes from mangled communication. 4. As husbands, fathers, mothers, bosses, elders, deacons, etc., we must be clear in our communication. E. What a year ago seemed like an impossibility, now is a reality – they put their strength into doing this good work, 18b. IV. Dealing with Opposition, 10, 19-20. A. These three individuals were governors of the territories around Judea and had been enjoying the extra space in Judea since it had been left unattended for a while. 1. Sanballat was the governor of Samaria (northwest of Jerusalem), thus a Samaritan. 2. Tobiah was the governor of the region across the Jordan from Jerusalem. 3. Geshem was the governor of the region southwest of Jerusalem. B. They are the anti-Nehemiah – they were deeply disturbed that someone actually cared for these people, 10! 1. They could not bear the thought of someone else doing well. 2. They were so focused on what the existence of a protected Jerusalem could do to their profits. Phil 2:1-4 – Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. C. They despised Nehemiah and the Jews, and they falsely accused them (they will do that throughout the book), 19. 1. Their opposition was political, not religious. 2. Ezra didn't face much external opposition while building the temple, only when he tried to build a portion of the wall. D. Notice how Nehemiah deals with the opposition – he is content with leaving it God for him to deal with them, 20. "This… is one of the hardest lessons for any church or individual to learn." H.G.M. Williamson in Word Biblical Commentary 1 Pt. 2:21-23 – For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…. Rom. 12:19 – Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rathergive place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. E. At the same time, he did not compromise at all – "you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem." 1. Nehemiah was not afraid of drawing a clear dividing line between him and his opponents. 2. Oh that the Church would once again be willing to be clear about the dividing line between her and the world. 1 Cor. 14:8 – For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? F. They were experiencing what John Newton immortalize in song. "Savior, if of Zion's city, I through grace a member am, let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name; fading is the worldling's pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show; solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion's children know." John Newton in Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken There are four action items that I would like for all of us to take home today as we think about Nehemiah 2. 1. There is nothing that we cannot or should not bring to God in prayer. 2. Beeke – "A man who realizes his dependence on God will be frequently directing prayer heavenward." 3. How would you describe your prayer life? 1. Consider your life and all the parts in it. 2. Assess where things are and plan how you are going to fulfill the calling/vocation God has on your life. 3. This includes all areas: your finances, education, living situation, raising kids, ministering in the church. 1. All the good planning and executing that you accomplish is God accomplishing through you. 2. Humbly acknowledge that – the good hand of my God upon me. 1. The cause of God will be opposed by the world – those who seek to live a godly life will suffer persecution. 2. Yet, the gates of hell cannot prevail against us! "God's servant should expect opposition and victory, suffering and success if they seek God's kingdom and righteousness." Joel Beeke in Family Worship Bible Guide 3. Persecution will come when you try to be a godly man, woman, husband, wife, etc.
4. The Lord will give you grace even when persecution and resistance is coming from those who you are trying to serve.
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