Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah

 

Nehemiah is one of the most striking examples of leadership in the Bible. From a position of prominence in the Persian government to a leader who oversaw the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1–6). From a great palace, serving the most powerful man in the world to a building manager in a dusty dangerous backwoods of the empire (Nehemiah 2:11–18; Nehemiah 4:10–23). It is quite an impressive tale. Our world has no shortage of books on leadership, but there are few things that can match a notable example.

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Waiting for the Call

Nehemiah was well along in his career. He was in a place of prominence as the cupbearer to the king (Nehemiah 1:11; Nehemiah 2:1). That was a position that one would have worked hard to achieve.

We can only wonder what kept Nehemiah from returning to the land when Cyrus decreed (Ezra 1:1–4), or even when Ezra returned (Ezra 7:6–10). Ezra and Nehemiah were both latecomers to the return to the land (Ezra 7; Nehemiah 2), Esther and Mordechai never did return to the land (Esther 2:5–7; Esther 8:1–2; Esther 10:3).

It was always the Lord's plan to restore his people to the land (Jeremiah 29:10–14; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1, 13), and yet most remained in the comfortable big cities and great nations of their exile (Ezra 2:64–65; Nehemiah 7:66–67). I have always found this troubling. If the Lord wanted them to return, why did so few come? It smacks of disobedience to me, but the Lord used each of these cases for good (Genesis 50:20; Esther 4:14).

When the time was right, he called the people to His service regardless of whether they were in the Land or not (Acts 17:26–27; Daniel 2:21). Furthermore, if Ezra and Nehemiah had gone down with the first return then these revivals in the effort may not have happened (Ezra 9–10; Nehemiah 8–9).

The Lord truly does work all things together for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28).

 

The Flashpoint

It was a news article for Nehemiah, or something like it. As a Jewish person, living in a foreign land, he maintained an interest in what was going on in the ancestral homeland (Nehemiah 1:2–4). And hearing about the state of things had a major impact on him (Nehemiah 1:4).

Great men throughout history have had a flashpoint event in their lives. The person who is going through life happily before the burden for a nation, a people group, an age group enters their lives. They find their calling in serving that cause (Nehemiah 1:3–11; Isaiah 6:8; Acts 9:15–16).

This is the call of the world's great missionaries like Hudson Taylor called to China, George Muller called to the orphans of England, Paul receiving the Macedonian call (Acts 16:9–10), or the call of Saint Patrick to the very people who had enslaved him in his early years.

 

Faithful in the Small Things

If I might say, there are thousands of Christians still waiting for such a moment. I would recommend to you that "he who is faithful in the small things can be trusted in greater things" (Luke 16:10; Matthew 25:21). Seek to grow in the Lord and be faithful in the roles and tasks that He has placed in front of you (Colossians 3:23–24; 1 Corinthians 4:2).

If you are prayerful, patient, and faithful you may be surprised at how quickly the Lord provides you with a passion project for His glory (Psalm 37:4–5; Galatians 6:9; James 1:4).

Nehemiah demonstrates availability to the Lord by responding to this calling (Nehemiah 1:4–11; Nehemiah 2:4–5).

 

Wisdom, Resources, and Asking for Help

Nehemiah then does something interesting. He does not just pick up and go; he uses the resources that he has gained along the way to succeed in his project (Nehemiah 2:7–9). Nehemiah was in a special position with direct access to the king (Nehemiah 2:1–8). That is a great resource, and he was not afraid to use his position to put this desire before the king (Nehemiah 2:4–8).

It can be difficult to ask for help or invite others to take part in our mission (Proverbs 11:14; Ecclesiastes 4:9–10). Especially when it comes to asking our superiors. Nehemiah used wisdom and tact to get both the permission to leave his post and the resources to make the greatest impact (Nehemiah 2:4–9; James 1:5).

 

Discernment About Partnership

This invitation for help, however, must be qualified. Neither Ezra nor Nehemiah would accept help from people unaligned with their purposes (Ezra 4:1–3; Nehemiah 2:19–20). Allowing the people of the land to participate may have compromised their projects, and given unbelievers influence over the community of the faithful (Ezra 4:1–5; Nehemiah 6:1–14; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18).

It takes discernment to know what help to take and what help to reject (Proverbs 13:20; 1 John 4:1), yet both leaders had displayed such wisdom (Ezra 4:1–3; Nehemiah 2:19–20).

 

Motivation

Though there are other important leadership principles demonstrated in the life of Nehemiah, there is one more to highlight here: Motivation.

Nehemiah knew the authority that he had, and he was faithful to that responsibility (Nehemiah 2:17–18; Nehemiah 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 4:2). Nehemiah repeatedly asked God to see his efforts and to reward him (Nehemiah 5:19; Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31).

Nehemiah is one of the greatest examples in the Bible with little or no failure that we can observe, and this may well be the secret. He did not desire the praise of men; he did not demand a position of glory and honor (Nehemiah 6:15–16; John 5:44; Galatians 1:10). He desired the approval of God and God alone (Nehemiah 13:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9).

It gave him wisdom, courage, and drive to know that his effort mattered, regardless of human recognition or rejection and opposition (Nehemiah 4:14; Nehemiah 6:9; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

 

The Christian’s Motivation: God’s Approval and Eternal Reward

For a Christian today, this attitude changes everything. The moment a person trusts Christ for salvation God approves, forgives, and eternally places them into Christ (John 5:24; Ephesians 1:13–14; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a wonderful opportunity each day to live for the moment or to live for eternity (Colossians 3:1–4; Matthew 6:19–21).

We are also right to understand that there is only one assessment of our life that truly matters: the Lord's assessment (1 Corinthians 4:3–5; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The Lord longs to reward His children (Matthew 6:4; Revelation 22:12; 1 Corinthians 3:12–15), and we can invest every moment in eternity as we seek to serve and honor Him (Matthew 6:20; 1 Timothy 6:18–19).