Preparing to RebuildThis summer I read the fictional account of the Battle of Thermopylae called The Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. The battle between the Greeks and Persians lasted three days in September, 480 BC (35 years before Nehemiah). Persia was invading Greece for the second time, ten years after their defeat at Marathon, and King Leonidas of Sparta was leading an alliance of Greek states defending their land.
In one speech Leonidas summarizes his view of leadership:
“A king does not abide within his tent while his men bleed and die upon the field. A king does not dine while his men go hungry, nor sleep when they stand at watch upon the wall. A king does not command his men's loyalty through fear nor purchase it with gold; he earns their love by the sweat of his own back and the pains he endures for their sake. That which comprises the harshest burden, a king lifts first and sets down last. A king does not require service of those he leads but provides it to them...A king does not expend his substance to enslave men, but by his conduct and example makes them free.”Although written in modern language, the sentiment accurately represents what Leonidas would have thought about his role. We could turn to similarly inspiring speeches from military commanders throughout history.
Nehemiah is not raising up an army, but as he prepares to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, he exemplifies the kind of leadership that inspires and recruits people to a difficult task in the face of opposition. As we analyze his godly leadership, it ought to leave us inspired and strengthened for the work God has called us to accomplish. Those who are united to Christ are drawn to emulate Christ-like leadership.
Read Nehemiah 2:9-20
I. Expect to Face Opposition (9-10)This is the first mention that Nehemiah had a caravan of the king’s army officers and horsemen with him. He wasn’t just given letters of authority but Artaxerxes sent along a personal security team. This ought to raise our awe in God’s provision and protection.
However, right on the heels of Nehemiah’s optimistic entry into Jerusalem, we learn that his opposition was watching. His presence displeased Sanballat and Tobiah. Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, north of Judah. His name means, “The moon god gives life,” but his sons had names that honored “Yahweh.” Sanballat likely had a syncretistic religion with a superficial appreciation for the God of Israel. He was a “Horonite” which could mean that he was from a town in Moab or Beth-Horon (ten miles northwest of Jerusalem). Most scholars prefer the latter, since his being a “Moabite” is not mentioned.
Tobiah was possibly a local servant of King Artaxerxes, a governor of Ammon (like his grandson), or even Sanballat’s deputy. While governor of Ammon makes the most sense to me, it does mean that we must understand “servant” as having a pejorative connotation. His name means “the Lord is good,” which indicates another syncretistic worshipper of Yahweh. His links to several families in Jerusalem gave him an added sense of authority (6:17-19).
Opposition can arise from anywhere. Nehemiah anticipated it, which is why he asked for letters from the king, and now he knows who they are. That is the best kind of enemy, is it not? The enemy you can identify and keep an eye on is much preferred to those who make you think they are on your side. It’s easy to understand why these governors would be concerned with a rebuilt Jerusalem.
Nehemiah moves forward with his plans despite the resistance. He makes adjustments as needed, but continues to pursue his mission. This is just the beginning of the perseverance and fight we will see from Nehemiah. I think we can learn a lot from his confident persistence.
One thing I hear more and more is that California is a lost cause. There is no hope of recovering the ground that has been lost to liberalism. I wonder if that is what the people in Jerusalem...
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