We had a remarkable breakthrough in chapter 2 when Nehemiah was granted the opportunity to see the King, after 4 months of praying and waiting.
• Even with all that praying, it wasn’t a simple thing for Nehemiah to seek the King’s favour. He was very much afraid (2:2).
• Imagine asking for leave from a Persian King for something that’s personal and Jewish.
• Moreover, this request would require the King to reverse a previously established policy (according to what we read in Ezra 4).
Yet we know God aided him. He did not need to initiative any talking. The ball started rolling when the King asked him questions.
Nehemiah was led to answer these questions a matter-of-factly. The King asked:
• 2:2 “Why do you look so sad when you are not sick?”
• 2:4 “What is it you want?”
• 2:6 “How long will your journey take and when will you get back?”
• These leading questions led him to reveal what was in his heart. Having ascertained the King’s favour, Nehemiah made the other requests.
Even for the King to grant his request was a sovereign act of God.
• If we look back at Ezra 4 and see how the King first penned the order to stop work on the rebuilding of Jerusalem walls, this was what he wrote:
• 4:21 “Now issue an order to these men to stop work so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.”
• By God’s sovereign grace, the King has given himself the room for a possible change (13 years ago), which he would need now in Nehemiah 2.
We have no outward sign of God’s presence nor any record of God saying anything, but we know God was present and He has acted.
• And Nehemiah knew that. He has gotten the green light NOT because of his good relationship with the King (guan xi), NOT because of his pious faith and his fasting.
• Nehemiah said it was “because the gracious hand of the Lord was upon me, the King granted my requests.” (2:8)
Pray that God will grant us such spiritual insight to see His favours in our lives!
And God gave him this bonus (I felt), something that Nehemiah did not request – King sent army officers and cavalry with him (2:9).
• I don’t read this as for protection because Nehemiah as already requested letters for the governors of Trans-Euphrates to provide him safe-passage to Judah.
• The military escort was like a rubber stamp for his mission; it authenticates what he was about to do.
• It would signal to the locals that Nehemiah came with the mandate of the King.
The dissenters would know that this was with the King’s permission and there was a change to the royal policy.
• Which explains why, down the road, we did not see the oppositions writing complaint letters to the King anymore (like what they did previously).
• Nor did they come against the work with violence or force. They resorted only to mocking them, ridiculing and discouraging the workers.
We see God orchestrating everything from the start, granting Nehemiah access to the King, gaining his favour, providing him what he would need for the trip and the work.
• It does not mean therefore that everything would be smooth and easy. Doing God’s will doesn’t mean that. In fact, it might mean the opposite.
• What it means is that when we do God’s will, He is with us to help us and work through us to fulfil His plan and purpose.
Look at what Nehemiah has to contend with – Neh 2:11-20.
For a cupbearer-turned-foreman, Nehemiah would really need to do some homework. That’s his 1st challenge.
He did not reveal anything prematurely without giving it much thought.
• We can see this part of him even before he stepped into the King’s presence.
• He was able to answer the King because he had already thought through many issues, like how long he would need to be away (2:6), the letters he would need for a safe passage (2:7), the timber required for the work (2:8).
And on arrival, he kept a low profile until he has done his preparations. We have a record of what he did.
On his night survey, Nehemiah set out from the West side of the city, coming out of the Valley Gate and turning South to the Dung Gate.
He then went round to Fountain Gate and the King's Pool (the Pool of Siloam) on the Eastern side.
There he was forced to dismount and proceed on foot along the ridge (above Kidron Valley). He then likely, turned back and re-entered the city at the starting point.
It’s not about experience; it’s about diligence, the willingness to put in the effort.
• Nehemiah was about to embark on something for which he has little experience. It was his first visit to Jerusalem and his first look at the walls.
• So why was he into this? He said it. It was what “God has put in my heart to do in Jerusalem”. (2:12b)
• It’s for God, it’s the will of God, and it’s for the glory of God. We saw that heart in chapter 1.
Nehemiah did his research quietly and said nothing until he could come up with a workable plan. Chapter 3 reveals that plan. (We’ll leave that for next Sunday).
Nehemiah then faced the 2nd challenge – motivating the people to do the work.
• He has to because they were beaten once. They’ve tried and failed.
• Nehemiah shared his testimony - 2:18 “I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the King had said to me.”
• “This is God’s will. God led me to this place, and provided me with the King’s permission and resources.”
And then came the 3rd challenge – oppositions to the plan, and they were all very influential and powerful people.
• Sanballat the Horonite - governor of Samaria, Tobiah - a Jewish name, not Ammonite, an official from an influential family controlling Ammon. Geshem - historical sources tell us Geshem, the Arab ruled a league of Arabian tribes which controlled Moab and Edom (Judah's East and South) and part of Arabia.
• With these powerful rulers of regions to the North, East and South of Judah, Jerusalem was virtually surrounded by hostile neighbours.
• They came against the work for obvious reason - they do not want to see another rising power in Judah.
Nehemiah’s reply to them was short and to the point.
• 2:20 “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.”
• One, this is God’s work; two, we are His servants; three, you have no part in it. “It’s none of your business.”
Nehemiah brought out his trump card - not the mandate from the King (although that’s powerful) - but the mandate of the King of all kings, the God of heaven.
• The authority to rebuild this comes from God. This is God’s will and we are God’s servants doing God’s will. Therefore man has no say in it.
I like how Nehemiah puts it: “But as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”
• No share in Jerusalem (now) or any claim to it (future) or any historic right to it (past). ESV: no portion (now), no right (future), no claim (memorial) from past.
• “You have no say in this whatsoever, not now, not the future, not from the past.”
CONCLUSION
Learn from Nehemiah and let us serve God with the same passion and perseverance.
• There will be challenges and oppositions, but we look to God and we persevere.
• And we encourage others who serve with us to look to God (just like Nehemiah).
• Our dependence is not on our abilities, resources or even good planning. Our hope is in the God of heaven! He alone will grant us success!
Nehemiah performed no sign and wonder, he gave no prophecies; he simply obeyed God and did what he could possibly do (as a cupbearer from Susa).
• He did it faithfully, diligently and without fear.
Quoted from preachingtoday.com, Kevin Young, "Cliffhanger: Reaching Out for the Father" Pray! (Jan/Feb 2003), p. 40-41.
A pastor watched a 400m dash in the Special Olympics. As runners were being helped to their marks, a gentleman jumped up in the stands yelling, "Lenny! Lenny!" An overweight man with Down's Syndrome looked up in the direction of the voice.
The gun sounded and the runners leaped forward — all except Lenny, who was dead last and losing ground. He had a preoccupation with his hands, which he wrung furiously as he tried to make his way around the track.
Pointing to him, the gentleman in front of me turned and addressed my section of the crowd. "That's my son, Lenny. Isn't he doing great?"
When Lenny reached the last turn on the track, the other runners had already finished. The gentleman began to shout encouragement to his son, throwing his fists in the air in a triumphant gesture. “Great job, Lenny! Way to go, son. Keep going, you're doing great!”
He turned to his section again, and reminded everyone that his son was about to finish. Everyone applauded dutifully, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
When Lenny crossed the finish line, the man made his way down to the track and hugged his son, who was exhausted, salivating, and still wringing his hands.
Our heavenly Father understands and cheers us on. He encourages us with His Word and He will continue to strengthen us.
• There will be times we struggled like this man – challenged, perplexed, tired and discouraged.
• But with each challenge, there will also be the opportunity to see God at work.
• We will experience His grace and His strength.
• And finally we will rejoice when His work is done, against all odds.
