Nehemiah stands as a leadership success story. But to present his reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls as anything other than Nehemiah’s attempt to restore the glory of God is to misrepresent him and his work. His is the story of passion over vocation. He was Artaxerxes cup-bearer, but his heart was for Jerusalem’s welfare (1:1-2). His emotional reality was: ‘Broken walls—broken heart.’ He wept for Jerusalem’s trouble and disgrace (1:3-4). His prayers were full of praise, confession, and a renewal of God’s covenants (1:5-11). His prayer to return home was answered. Permission was granted by king (2:5-6). He thought ahead seeking material resource consents (2:7-8a) and acknowledged all as God’s provision (2:8b). It was of no concern that he upset his enemies on arrival (2:9-10). His first task was a secret recognisance of the wall (2:11-16); knowing that this work was something God had put on his heart (12b). His challenge to Jerusalem’s leaders to rebuild the mess before them was accepted (2:17-18). But when mockery and accusations of treason came from his enemies, he told them that “God will give success. We will rebuild—you are outsiders!” (2:18-20). The work began (3:1ff). With work come more mockery. With more mockery came more prayer—he cursed his enemies (4:1-5). The wall now half completed (4:6), brought threats of violence (4:7-8). Prayers were prayed and guards were posted (4:9). Fatigue set in, rubble mounted up and enemy threats persisted (4:10-12). Nehemiah ordered armed family protection and divine assurance: “Remember God and fear not” (4:13-14). Thus, they saw that God had stopped the enemies so they could return to work (4:15). Security intensified through armed workers (4:16-23), and more divine assurance: “Our God will fight for us!” (4:20b). He rebuked the businessmen for making debt slaves of the workers (5:11); Nehemiah tells them to repay and curses anyone who is unrepentant (5:12-13). He practiced minimal administration (5:14-18). He asked God to: “Remember me with favour, O my God, for all I have done for these people (5:19). Enemies called for meetings and sent a letter sighting rumours of his revolt. He prayed, told them that he was too busy and said, “you are making it up…Should a man like me run away…? (6:11-13). Knowing that they were dishonouring God’s work, he prayed that God remember his evil enemies (6:14). The wall was finished in 52 days (6:15).
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