NEHEMIAH TAKES COMMAND!This
past week students returned to Chandler High School and again I’m teaching
two math classes consisting primarily of sophomores. When they entered
my classroom on Wednesday morning I told them they could sit wherever they
wanted to sit. I then took the roll, told them a little bit about myself,
and proceeded to teach them something about Plane Geometry. I also gave them
their first assignment.
Unlike most teachers I didn’t lay down any classroom rules. I didn’t tell them
how they would be graded, how I spelled the word tardy, what they would need
for the class, how they should dress, when they could go to the restroom, or
whether or not they could get a drink of water during class. I didn’t even
pass out my syllabus to them.
Why? Well, I suppose there are a number of reasons. First, every teacher in
school is burdening them with the “thou shall nots.” Which means they would
have only half listened to mine. Second, I want to access their true nature.
I want to see who sits in the back, in the front, and off to the side. I want
to see who sits next to who and for what reasons. I want to give them the feeling
of “free reign” for a few days so as to identify the leaders of the opposition.
So you see when I tell them they can sit wherever, and when I don’t post the
“law” right up front I’m not doing them any favors. I’m being strategic, I’m
sizing up the situation.
Third, I want to communicate right up front that I do know what I’m doing and
that we have so much to do that we can’t even waste the first day. Those who
want to be in a classroom where learning takes place will perk up and those
who are going to take some behavioral modification on my part will also show
their true colors.
In another week those who I believe are members of the opposition will attempt
to exercise a little muscle and discover that I’m far more serious about education
than they ever imagined. Then, on August 9th, the day before Open House, I
will pass out my syllabus to be taken home to parents.
In the latter half of chapter two some people see Nehemiah as being sneaking.
I see him as being strategic. Wisely, and cautiously, he sized up the situation
before letting others in on his plans for Jerusalem. Then, when he shared those
plans he inspired others, motivated others, to work alongside him. And, when
the opposition exercised a little muscle, when they tried to discourage the
newly recruited workers, he dealt with them quickly and decisively.
Beginning in v. 11 of chapter two, we read:
I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the
night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart
to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding
on.
By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and Dung
Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its
gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain
Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get
through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned
back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where
I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews
or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the
work.
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in; Jerusalem lies in ruins,
and its gates have been burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem,
and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious
hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the
Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?”
they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”
I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his
servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem
or any claim or historic right to it.”
When Nehemiah finally arrived in Jerusalem it appears that he did nothing for
three days. In today’s fast-paced world newly elected corporate executives
normally put on a show as they assume power. They’ve already done their homework
and they plan to hit the ground running. So after glad-handing the office staff
they quickly set up private interviews with the chief men in the corporation,
spell out the new mandates, and charge them with getting the job done - now!
In his book, Messy Spirituality, Michael Yaconelli, says “What keeps many of
us from growing (spiritually) is not sin but speed.” His point is that most
of us are so busy that we don’t have time for God. We don’t reject him, we
simply don’t have time for him. So maybe, just maybe, Nehemiah took those three
days to spend time with God in prayer before he threw himself into rebuilding
the wall.
Or, it may be that he simply needed to recover from the trip. We know, from
Ezra 8:32, that when Ezra made the same trip a few years earlier that he initially
rested for three days. After traveling for four months through inhospitable
territory this would make sense. After all, when you are suffering from fatigue
and/or jet-lag you’re robbed of a proper perspective, the ability to make the
best decisions, and the will to take on major projects.
Then too, it is possible that Nehemiah knew the truth of what Yogi Berra grasp,
years and years later, when he said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” Nehemiah,
knowing the truth of this, may have used the time to size up the local population.
He may have used those three days to get a feel for the lay of the land. He
may have spent the initial three days quietly getting a sense of those he could
trust and those who might oppose the work.
Then, at night he took a few men with him to examine the wall. You will recall
that when his brother, along with others, brought back a report on the situation
in Jerusalem that Nehemiah had questioned them. So he had heard of the disgrace
that Jerusalem was in, but he wanted to see the condition of the wall and gates
for himself. He wanted to confirm the truth of what others had told him. Also
he wanted to gather information so as to see how the work might be divided
up and what materials would be needed. He was a cautious leader.
But he was also a wise leader. For in all likelihood the few he took with him
were familiar enough with the local terrain that they could guide Nehemiah
through the rumble in the dark of night. In addition to acting as guides, they
provided a measure of security for Nehemiah. For when you go out at night,
regardless of who you are or what city you’re visiting, it’s easy to make a
wrong turn and find yourself in the wrong camp at the wrong time.
But, and this is important to see, they must have also been men whom he sensed
that he could trust with the vision God had given him. In part, this meant
keeping their mouth shut. So at a time when he was about to embark on a dangerous
mission, Nehemiah must have valued the knowledge, experience, prayers, and
integrity of these few men. Yes, they protected him physically on that night.
More importantly, however, they were men who protected him against the fiery
darts of Satan as they kept him in their prayers.
After accessing the situation, he needed to recruit others to work alongside
of him. Note how he didn’t do it. He didn’t say, “Boy, you guys have a mess
on your hands and all you’ve been doing for the past decade is sitting on your
rear ends doing nothing. If you had an ounce of courage, an ounce of gumption,
which you don’t, you’d get off your lazy you know what and do something worthwhile.
Look, when you get ready to act like men I’ll be in my office.” He didn’t say
that because he knew, either instinctively or by experience, that you don’t
get work out of people by making them feel bad about themselves.
Instead, as a motivational leader, he first and foremost identified himself
as one of the workers. Months earlier, it had been the problem in Jerusalem.
In the recent past, it was their trouble, but now it was his as well. For in
v. 17 he said: “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and
its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem,
and we will no longer be in disgrace.”
Second, you’ll note that he knew exactly what he wanted to do and why he wanted
to do it. His challenge, his invitation, to join him in the work was clear
and the purpose for doing the work was spelled out. The goal wasn’t simply
to provide protection and to improve the economy, although a restored wall
and rebuilt gates would accomplish both of those things. The goal was to uplift
God’s name to the surrounding community. God’s name was at stake in the enterprise,
not simply Jerusalem’s welfare.
Third, Nehemiah inspired much-needed-confidence by sharing his personal testimony
with them. After all, he was asking the remnant to give of their time and energy
to work on a project that would instantly create some hostile neighbors. In
addition, it meant taking time away from earning a living. The remnant needed
to be reassured that God was in this project and Nehemiah did that by sharing
what God had already done in his midst.
Finally, Nehemiah needed to be ready to deal with the opposition. Earlier the
opposition had been disturbed, here they expressed their opposition. In fact,
as soon as the work got underway they initiated a campaign of threats and innuendoes.
A campaign designed to frighten the workers; to make them think twice about
coming to work.
To Nehemiah’s credit the opposition didn’t take him by surprise; nor was he
caught off guard. He simply rebuked their verbal assault, and encouraged the
workers, by expressing his dependence upon God to give them success. He then
issued a get-tough policy. He made it crystal clear, on a number of levels,
that Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem had no claim on the city and no share in
this holy work. They were in an entirely different camp than those who wanted
to rebuild the wall and Nehemiah let them know that he understood the nature
of their camp.
Note, there were plenty of Jews in Jerusalem prior to Nehemiah’s arrival. But
they had little concern for the broken-down walls and the damaged reputation
of God. Hence, they were of little concern to Satan. But Nehemiah grieved over
the loss of God’s good name and he was willing to roll up his sleeves to do
something about it. The moment he set about the task God had given him, Satan
started a counterassault.
What about us? Does our service for God worry the enemy? Does it bother those
who live simply by sight? If so, then we’re in good company.