Nehemiah 2
Notes
Transcript
Leaders, at time must be bold. But this boldness does need to be tempered in righteousness. Boldness, without righteousness, can lead to the people’s rights being violated and trampled on. Righteousness alone can be worthless without boldness that leads to initiative and courage to follow through on ideas and projects - leading to nothing being done. So leaders must be tempered with both the knowledge of right and wrong, and acting decisively to carry out the righteous act. Not only do boldness and righteousness give leaders a strong leadership, a vision must also be developed to challenge us with. With a vision, it allows us to see the future ideals to follow, gives something to commit ourselves to, goals to strive for, and a task that is fulfilling. It gives us purpose. So good leaders lead with a righteous boldness, giving a vision for the future. Nehemiah was such a man. He was a true leader, a visionary who was both bold and righteous. He was a leader who exhorted and challenged others to action. Remember that Nehemiah was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. While in the palace at the capital Susa, he had received alarming news from Jerusalem. The exiles who had returned to Jerusalem were facing terrible trouble and suffering, being reproached and disgraced by people all around them. In addition, the city of Jerusalem was in shambles with its walls torn down. Hearing this news had broken Nehemiah’s heart, arousing deep concern within him. For many days he had fasted and prayed about the matter. And during these days he had sought the LORD for an opportunity to bring up the subject with the king, to seek his help for the distressed Jews back in Jerusalem. He personally wanted to return to help the people himself, but first, he had to secure permission from the king. However, seeking a long leave of absence from the king could be dangerous. If the request displeased the king, he could imprison Nehemiah and even have him executed. Because of the seriousness of his request, Nehemiah took four months to carefully plan his strategy for approaching Artaxerxes (1:1; 2:1). The suspenseful drama is graphically depicted in this chapter.
1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence.
2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid.
3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”
6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.
7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah,
8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
Nisan - first month of Babylonian calendar - equal to March/April time frame.
Chislev - 9th month containing part of November and part of December
Nehemiah requested and secured a royal commission from the king to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls. It was now the month of Nisan (March–April), four months since he had received news about the dark, dismal circumstances of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem (1:1–4). During these four long months Nehemiah was heavy hearted, gripped with concern over their desperate plight. Day by day he had been seeking the LORD for an opportunity to approach the king about helping his people. Nehemiah felt compelled to do all he could to relieve their terrible distress and suffering. At last, he sensed from the LORD that the time had come to safely approach the king. Scripture paints an intriguing picture of Nehemiah’s apprehension as he shared his broken heart and request with the king. Yet, despite Nehemiah’s fear in approaching the king, note how courageous he was and how well he had prepared to grasp the opportunity.
a. While serving the king, Nehemiah did a courageous but dangerous thing: he showed a sad countenance, acted downcast and distressed. His behavior was dangerous because the king could have become suspicious of a plot to assassinate him. In most cases a king was sheltered from all the sorrowful experiences and suffering of human life (Est. 4:1–2). To appear in the presence of a monarch with any attitude other than a positive, uplifting one was extremely hazardous. Thus in light of this, Nehemiah was risking his life by appearing unhappy and distraught before the king.
However, on this particular day, the LORD had obviously prepared the way for Nehemiah. When the king noticed his cup bearer's distressed countenance, his thoughts did not turn suspicious. Rather, a sympathetic spirit arose, for the king asked Nehemiah why he was so sad when he was not ill.
Just as Nehemiah hoped, the door was wide open for him to make his request of the king. But as Scripture says, intense fear gripped Nehemiah’s heart. He knew the king had stopped the building of Jerusalem years before. The king had feared a Jewish rebellion if they were allowed to rebuild their city and nation (Ezr. 4:6–24, esp. vv. 18–24). Now, here was Nehemiah risking his life, ready to ask the king to reverse his decision—a very dangerous thing to do. Nevertheless, during Nehemiah’s four months of intense prayer and planning, he had thought through the most wise approach he could make to the king.
b. With his heart pounding rapidly, Nehemiah respectfully but anxiously approached the king with the common form of address: “May the king live forever!” He then wisely explained his sadness with a question that would hopefully arouse compassion within the king: How could he keep from being sad when his home city lay in ruins and its gates burned with fire, the very city where his ancestors were buried? Note how Nehemiah showed a deep respect for his ancestors and a broken heart over the plight of his home city. Mentioning these two facts was intended to arouse the king’s sympathy for his cupbearer, for ancestral grave sights held great meaning for Eastern cultures.
As hoped, the king’s interest and concern for Nehemiah was stirred, and he asked how he could help. Before answering, Nehemiah offered up a quick prayer. He asked the LORD to give wisdom and to move the king’s heart to grant his request.
Wording his petition in the most humble way he could, Nehemiah acknowledged that it could be granted only by the king himself. Additionally, the request should be granted only if it pleased the king and only if Nehemiah, the king’s servant, had found favor in his sight. Then, after acknowledging the supreme authority of the king, Nehemiah boldly made his petition. And it was bold! He asked for a royal commission to travel to Judah to rebuild his home city. This meant that the king would lose the services of his trusted official. No doubt, the appeal shocked the king, for the thought that he would be losing his trusted servant was bound to cross the king’s mind. A suspenseful silence hung in the air for a few seconds, perhaps for a minute. Then the king gave his answer.
c. Nehemiah’s petition was granted. With the queen sitting by his side, the king questioned Nehemiah about how long he would be gone and when he would return. Undoubtedly after some discussion, a time was agreed upon and the request was granted. The time frame is not spelled out by Scripture; however, Nehemiah ended up staying in Jerusalem for 12 years .
Having planned carefully, Nehemiah knew exactly what he needed for the building project. Thus he made several additional appeals to the king . He asked for letters for safe passage and provisions for his journey. The letters were necessary to present to the governors who ruled over the Persian territory west of the Euphrates River. Nehemiah needed the cooperation of these governors in order to be given safe passage through their territory. Also, he would have a large military escort accompanying him, an escort that could be interpreted as a threat to the local governors. Nehemiah even asked for an official letter to secure building materials from the king’s forest. He needed timber for three projects: the building of the gates, the city walls, and his own personal residence.
d. Special attention should be paid to Nehemiah’s strong testimony (v. 8). His bold request was granted by the king because of God Himself. The LORD’s gracious hand was upon Nehemiah, so the LORD stirred the heart of the king to grant Nehemiah’s request.
Thought 1. Nehemiah was a man with a fearless spirit and a strong trust in the LORD. He boldly went before the king because he trusted the LORD to guide and help him. And because of his trust, the LORD gave him this spirit of strong determination. So it is with us. When we trust the LORD, He gives us a spirit of courage and stamina to carry out our tasks. Scripture teaches us two wonderful facts about boldness.
We can boldly approach God for help in times of need. However, we can approach Him only through Christ. It is Christ alone who gives us access into God’s presence. But when we come to Christ and approach God through Him, Christ gives us the right to be bold before God. We can then boldly request that God meet our needs. And He wonderfully promises to hear us.
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
If we will be bold in our work for the LORD, He will guide, deliver, and protect us. Through Him we will have the power to be strong, courageous, and fearless in the face of difficult or trying situations.
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.
10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days.
12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.
13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.
14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass.
15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.
16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”
18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah’s journey to Jerusalem and all his preparations were for the purpose of rebuilding the city and its walls. The journey from the capital Susa to Jerusalem would have taken about two to three months. Nothing whatsoever about the journey is recorded by Scripture. However, after Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, events began to happen rather quickly, events that suggested the unfolding of a suspenseful drama about to happen. Scripture describes the gripping events:
a. After crossing the Euphrates River, Nehemiah went at once to the governor of the province to present his letter of authority from the king. This was necessary to gain safe passage through the territory, in particular since Nehemiah had a large armed escort of cavalry accompanying him (v. 9). Without the king’s authority, the armed regiment could have aroused suspicion of a revolt. But with the king’s authority and cavalry regiment, the governor and officials clearly knew that Nehemiah had the king’s support behind him and his building efforts. Yet not everyone was willing to offer their support.
b. Almost immediately Nehemiah got his first hint of coming opposition (v. 10). Another Scripture tells us that Nehemiah had actually been appointed as the new governor of Jerusalem (5:14). Two officials in particular, Sanballat and Tobiah, were very angry that a new governor had been sent to rebuild Jerusalem. Sanballat was a Horonite, which means that he was from Beth Horan, a town about 12 to 18 miles from Jerusalem. Although Scripture does not say that he was the governor of Samaria, archeology has discovered an ancient letter that actually refers to him as the governor of that district (The Elephantine Papryus or letter).1
Apparently Tobiah the Ammonite was either the governor of Ammon or else a high official who served under Sanballat. Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah, one of Nehemiah’s key workers (3:29; 6:18). And his son Jehohanan married the daughter of Meshullam, one of the supervisors of the building project (3:4, 30; 6:18). Thus through marriage, Tobiah had both family and friends working in the crews employed by Nehemiah to rebuild the city. In addition to this fact, Tobiah was closely related to the High Priest Eliashib (13:4–7). Of course, both of these officials, Sanballat and Tobiah, served under the authority of King Artaxerxes. In view of this, they had to be very careful in opposing or plotting against Nehemiah, for their very livelihood or political positions were dependent upon the favor of the king. But for now, the point to note is their disturbance over Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls. Obviously, they feared Nehemiah politically, feared they would lose some of their power and authority and influence over the people. Thus Nehemiah was a threat to them.
c. On arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah rested for three days. The trip had been exhausting, so he did just what many of us would do: he took care of his body and gave it the necessary rest (Mk. 6:31). In all probability, Nehemiah used this time for prayer, planning, and getting acquainted with some of the people in the city.
d. At the end of the three days’ rest, Nehemiah secretly inspected the walls at night (vv. 12–16). As a wise planner and builder, he knew the need for surveying, inspecting, and evaluating the awesome task that lay before him. This he needed to do before he revealed his plans and attempted to motivate the people to join him in the awesome task ahead. Taking only a few trusted men and one horse, he crept out through the Valley Gate, past the Serpent or Jackal Well and the Dung Gate (vv. 12–13). Nehemiah then went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, where he had to stop following the wall because of the huge mound of rubble from Jerusalem’s earlier destruction (v. 14). He then turned and rode through the Kidron Valley where he could look up at the wall from a distance (v. 15). At some point, he was either unable to continue his inspection due to so much rubble or, feeling that he had seen enough, made the decision to return. Note the emphasis upon the secrecy of Nehemiah’s inspection: he conducted his investigation without the knowledge of any of the leadership. This was necessary until he could formulate the details of his plans (v. 16).
e. Once Nehemiah completed his plans, he assembled and motivated the people to action (v. 17). The assembled group included all the Jews of Jerusalem and the surrounding territory, which would have included the common people, the landowners or farmers, the business owners, the religious and political leaders—all who would be contributing to the work of rebuilding the city and its walls.
In addressing the people, Nehemiah first presented the problem they faced. Jerusalem and its walls lay in ruins (v. 17). Although he had been with them for just a few days, note how he identified with them. It was not the trouble the people were in, but rather the trouble “We are in.” As long as the walls remained unbuilt, the people were in serious trouble, being fully exposed and left without any protection from marauders or enemies.
Second, Nehemiah challenged the people to action, to join him in rebuilding the walls in the great city of God (v. 17). This was not a new vision for the people. The very first exiles had also returned with the great hope of rebuilding their temple and homeland. But due to opposition through the years, they had backed off the project and become lethargic and complacent. They had resigned themselves to the dark, dismal circumstances of their lives and to the hardships they were to suffering. But at last, here was a man of God, Nehemiah, who challenged the people to arise and recommit themselves anew to rebuilding the city.
Third, Nehemiah closed the challenge by giving his personal testimony (v. 18). He shared how God’s gracious hand had been upon him and guided him in securing the very authority of the king himself. Through his personal testimony, the people could rest assured that God would be present with them in the awesome task of rebuilding the walls and city (v. 18).
Obviously, the Spirit of God was working in the hearts of the people, for they responded to Nehemiah’s challenge. They made a strong commitment to start rebuilding immediately (v. 18). And they began the “good work.”
f. But immediately after launching the work, Nehemiah was forced to take a bold stand against those who opposed the project (vv. 19–20). The opposition had quickly reared its ugly head up, seeking to dishearten the people. Sanballat, Tobiah, and a third opponent known as Geshem the Arab began to mock the project as foolish. Moreover, they actually accused the Jews of rebelling against the king. Their opposition will be discussed in more detail later (Chs. 4–7), but in the present passage they begin their destructive path through ridicule, mockery, and false accusations. Because the walls and city had been so completely destroyed, any attempt to rebuild must have seemed foolish. Making the most of this fact, these three key adversaries aroused their followers to mockingly laugh and scorn the workers as they tackled such an unrealistic project. They called the Jews fools for attempting to rebuild. Also, by planting the charge of rebellion against the workers, these opponents hoped to instill fear of the king’s retaliation within the Jews.
Just how Nehemiah responded to this enemy’s first attack was very important. If he miscued, the workers could have easily become discouraged. Thankfully, Nehemiah was walking faithfully with the LORD. Thus the LORD clearly strengthened him and gave him just the right answer for these enemies. He withstood their attack and dealt forcefully with them. His response was threefold:
⇒ The LORD would help the builders, give them success and prosper their efforts.
⇒ The workers were totally committed to the project: they would rebuild the walls and the city—no matter what.
⇒ The opponents had no claim—no share, no authority, no rights—in Jerusalem (God’s Holy City, the promised land of God). Up until this time, while the city was devastated and lay in ruins, they may have exercised some authority over the city and the unprotected exiles who had returned. But no longer. Their authority was now ended. Legally, they had no claim to any part of Jerusalem, and they had no authority over its citizens. Politically, Nehemiah had been appointed governor by King Artaxerxes himself. Spiritually and historically, the city had been given by God to the Jews who followed and obeyed the LORD.
Thought 1. Nehemiah was a man of exhortation, a man who challenged others to follow the LORD and to complete their tasks. Likewise, as true believers in the LORD, we must exhort and challenge others to follow the LORD, to keep His commandments and live righteous lives, fulfilling their God-given tasks.
These are days of complacency, days when many are lethargic, self-satisfied, and unconcerned. Far too many of us have become spiritually lazy, apathetic, disinterested, and passive. Some of us have even become drowsy and sluggish, paying little attention to the Word of God, prayer, and worship. We are living self-centered lives, doing what we want when we want. We disobey God’s commandments, never giving a second thought to the righteousness He demands. We are living sinful, wicked, and shameful lives, breaking one commandment after another. The fact that we must live for Jesus Christ, faithfully worshipping Him and bearing strong testimony for Him, seldom if ever crosses our minds.
If there has ever been a day when the ministry of exhortation and challenging people to follow Christ is needed, it is today. Listen to what God’s Holy Word says about the need for us to exhort others:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.