by: Ronald R. Kumar
Introduction
Leadership is described as a quality a person needs or has: (a) to perform one or more acts of leading, (b) to affect human conduct in order to accomplish a goal or mission, or (c) to influence a group of people to move towards achieving a collective goal or reach a mutually agreed destiny. The book of Nehemiah is an epic on leadership and management established on godly principles, values, and godly inspiration.
The Book of Nehemiah takes us to the end of the historical account in the Old Testament, about four hundred years before the birth of the promised Messiah. The return under Nehemiah in 444 B. C. take place thirteen years after the return led by Ezra and ninety-four years after the return led by Zerubbabel. The book is divided in two: (1) Chapters 1-7 discuss the reconstruction of the wall, and (2) Chapter 8-13 discusses the restoration of the people. Nehemiah is a key figure in assuring that the wall, that were once broken, is re-constructed. The wall of Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. was almost rebuilt after 464 B.C. when Artaxerxes took the throne of Persia (see Ezra 3:6-23). However, the opposition destroys the wall the second time, and when Nehemiah leans this, he walks in obedience to the God in re-building the wall.
Nehemiah, contemporary of Ezra and cupbearer to the king in the Persian palace, leads the third and the last return of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His concern for the welfare of Jerusalem and its inhabitants prompts him to take bold action. Granted permission to return to his homeland, Nehemiah challenges his countrymen to arise and rebuild the shattered wall of Jerusalem. In spite of opposition from without and abuse from within, the task is completed in only fifty-two days, a feat even the enemies of Israel must attribute to God’s enabling. By contrast, the task of reviving and reforming the people of God within the rebuilt wall demands years of Nehemiah’s godly life and leadership. Nehemiah is a governor who brings physical restoration and political reconstruction and leads the people in moral reform. They combine to make an effective team in rebuilding the postexilic remnant.
The Hebrew for Nehemiah is Nehemyah, “Comfort of Jehovah.”
Leadership of Nehemiah
Nehemiah demonstrates various leadership qualities and practices for us to learn and apply. From Chapter 1 to 7, Nehemiah is portrayed as a figure who:
· Has deep concern and care for his people: when Nehemiah learns that opposition led to their second destruction, he cries out and prays on behalf of his people for forgiveness of his people. He realizes and accepts that his people are troubled and in danger because God has allowed it, therefore, seeks God for forgiveness and direction. His actions show that he prepared himself for this immense task through prayer and humility in front of God and his king. Nehemiah has a thanking heart as well.
· Is honest and sincere: Working as a governor, he decides to leave his post and help his people. He is honest to king Artaxerxes consequently securing permission to rebuild the wall. Moreover, his integrity and sincerity in front of the king also gave him provision and access to certain resources that he needed to commence his journey. Nehemiah is well organized and precise in what he needs.
Nehemiah also analyzed the situation when he went to Jerusalem. He inspected the walls personally, to identify the seriousness of the matter and what strategy to deploy to accomplish this project. Leaders need to be proactive in what they are doing and take initiative to inspect and assess things and situations individually as well. Nehemiah was in a much better position to speak to his people and understand their grievances henceforth (2:17).
· Is motivating and challenging: Nehemiah received his motivation and drive to complete this project from God through constant prayer. Moreover, he encouraged and challenged his people to “rise up and build” (2:18) the wall. What we see is that work begins immediately on the walls and gates, with people building portions corresponding to where they were living.
· Can manage setbacks and troubles: Nehemiah got sad and troubled in heart when people like Sanballat and Tobiah mocked him and his people’s effort in constructing the walls and gates. However, he was not discouraged. He reminded them that they (the enemy) have no heritage or right or memorial in the kingdom of God (2:20). Moreover, he knows that the battle is the LORD’s and cries out to Him. Nehemiah did not take matters in his hand and is patient with his people, making his grievances know to God. He calls upon God:
Hear, O our God, for we are despised, turn their [the enemies] reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity….Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. (4:5).
The result is:
So we built the wall and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (4:6).
· Is prepared all the time: Sanballat and Tobiah among others (opposition) conspired an attack to break the walls, however, Nehemiah and his people prayed to God and set watch-guard for protection. We learn that Nehemiah responded in faith and action, prepared to protect his people and the wall. He received the plans of the enemy from God when he prayed earnestly and acted in faith.
· Has a good planning skill: Nehemiah’s actions demonstrated his ability to plan and organize people and work in perfect order so as to carry out his objectives.
Therefore, I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.” His ability to encourage people in times of intimidation and weaknesses is astounding characterizing his God-given talent of a powerful leader. “… And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them [opposition]. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (4:13).
Nehemiah not only coached and guided his people, he literally worked with his people, demonstrating the significance of teamwork.
· Is able to handle complains and provides godly counsel: While the external opposition continued to mount, internal opposition also surfaced. The wealthier Jews are abusing abd oppressing the people, forcing them to mortgage their property and sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah again deals with the problem by the twin means of prayer and action. Nehemiah, after analyzing the situation, reminded them that such practices does not help but rob their own people and deprive them with much needed resources to accomplish the task.
After a serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, “Each of you is exacting usury from his brother…and what you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? (5:7-9).
· Leads by Example with fairness: Nehemiah sacrifices his governor’s salary, and lives on God-given principles. He says:
I also with my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury! (5:9).
From Nehemiah’s humility and action, all other rulers and nobles agreed and promised to obey his word. Nehemiah’s wise step to make an agreement (oath) to confirm their decision shows that he cared for his people and ensured that no confusion or pull-back results later on. Nehemiah did this because he feared God (5:19).
· Choose associations wisely: Nehemiah is quick to discern the characters of people with whom he associates with. Moreover, he chooses wisely his friends and knows the intention of any potential friendship offers and invitation. For instance, when Sanballat and Tobiah among others conspired to attack the wall, Nehemiah kept himself strong in prayers and received the strength he and his people needed (6:9). In spite of deceit, slander, and treachery, Nehemiah continues to trust in God and to press on with singleness of mind until the work is completed. The task is accomplished in an incredible fifty-two days, and even the enemies recognize that it can only have been accomplished with the help of God (6:16).
Nehemiah’s faith in God and his leadership skills applied in pooling his people and other resources demonstrated that he indeed was called by God to do this tremendous job. A called leader or manager requires such traits to be prevalent in order to successfully carry out his/her project. Humility and obedience can be achieved through faith in God. When we fear God, knowing that He will do justice at all time, gives us the complete assurance of victory through His helping hand. Nehemiah understood very well that he was called to serve his people, and not to be served. Such attitude provided him the motivation to carry out his job, sacrificing his wealthy lifestyle without retracting or caving-in.
Conclusion
Nehemiah portrays Christ in His ministry of restoration. Nehemiah illustrates Christ in that he gives up a high position in order to identify with the plight of his people; he comes with a specific mission and fulfills it; and his life is characterized by prayerful dependence upon God. While Nehemiah is portraying the physical (kingdom) restoration of Jerusalem, Jesus Christ comes to restore the spiritual kingdom of God. We learn a great deal from Nehemiah’s actions and conduct in obeying God and leading his people. When we humble ourselves and walk in faith in God, depending on Him, we can achieve results that cannot be attained with our human strength alone. For leaders in family, church, and other organizations, Nehemiah is a good role model to emulate. Let us leave aside the voluminous books on leadership for a while and just focus on the Word of God – the Bible – and use it as a guide to manage and lead our next project. I am sure one will obtain a much better result with genuineness, humility and in obedience.
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