Leadership Seen Through Nehemiah
The story of Nehemiah tells of a captured Israelite serving a king in a foreign land. The king employs Nehemiah as his cupbearer, one of the most important jobs in a palace. The cupbearer sipped every drink before giving it to the king in case someone tried to put poison in the cup. Nehemiah, while a captured cupbearer, learned leadership while serving. This makes me think about Jesus’ words in Matthew 20:28 where He said that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…Leadership started as Nehemiah served.
Not everyone who was captured during the foreign raid left Jerusalem. Some people stayed under a foreign ruler in their land. Disturbing news reached Nehemiah about the walls of his beloved city. The walls lay in disarray and remained open to attack. He could not get it off his mind, so he made up his mind he would ask the king for help. Leadership was shown when Nehemiah showed compassion.
Nehemiah in his compassion for his people and his love for his city, approached the king with humble bravery. He knew if the king denied his entrance, he could die. But Nehemiah prayed about the walls. He prayed about his part. He entered the throne room with a prayer for favor from the king. Leadership emerged as Nehemiah prayed.
The king not only allowed Nehemiah to go back to his homeland and rebuild the walls he also gave him sealed documents for passage through all the lands Nehemiah would travel. He had a long journey to ask the Holy Spirit about the plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It would not be an easy task. He would need manpower, supplies, and protection from enemies. He sought God’s Spirit to get God’s mind on this lifetime project. Leadership grew as He inquired of the Lord.
God responded to Nehemiah’s prayer because they agreed with what He desired. God wanted the walls rebuilt. Nehemiah responded. Nehemiah knew the promises in the Torah through Moses and yielded to obey God. While seeking God, Nehemiah’s goal was to get the wall built so his strategy shaped his goals. Once he arrived on the scene, he instructed, delegated, and led by example. Leadership includes leading by example.
If it were that easy, we would all be leaders. Nehemiah arrived, put his strategy in place and the building began. Then the enemy moved in. The outside opposition stirred strife in the camp. To withstand pressure from opposition, they stayed in the presence of God. Nehemiah knew that people often accuse others of the same evil they intend to do.
As they built the wall with success it provoked opposition. The greater the success the more bitter the opposition came from Nehemiah’s adversaries. The height of the opposition rose as they neared the goal. The opposition intended to stop the work. Leadership matures when faith overcomes fear.
These are only six of several leadership principles found in the book of Nehemiah. Can you identify which one(s) resonates with you? In the various positions you hold in life - you lead.
These are biblical principles we can apply to our everyday lives. If you work you lead by example whether in a position of authority or not. If you are a student, others watch how you carry yourself, how you study, what you say, and how you treat teachers. If you are a parent, your children watch everything you do.
Pick one and practice applying it this week in your day. Talk to someone about it and write your progress. Meanwhile, pray for others to do the same.
Until next time, remember, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
Dr. Michele
