Nehemiah 2:11-20, A Man Who Inspired Others

·       The servant Nehemiah was a man who inspired others, 2:11-20.

Nehemiah may have had the ability to “command” others.  He was an official in the upper echelons of government, after all.  And it appears he took on the role of governor upon his arrival.  So he could have required the people to join in the project.  But that is not what he did, of course. 

The nighttime inspection of the walls was a wise move on two fronts.  First, he needed to have the specifics of the situation so he could put together a plan.  Second, doing it at night allowed him to concentrate without having to answer questions or explain the whys and wherefores of what he was doing.  Because of this he was able to approach the people with a workable plan in which they would be able to see that they could have a vital part in the project. 

It helps to remember the situation, as Nehemiah’s brother had described it in Neh. 1:3.  First, he called them “survivors” (NKJV).  It’s the word for “remnant.”  My understanding is that it had been about 90 years since the first return under Zerubbabel and Jeshua who rebuilt the temple.  The fact that he still calls them a “remnant” indicates they have not established a real presence in Jerusalem. 

Then Hanani told Nehemiah they were “in great distress and reproach.”  If someone were to come to them and just tell them what they “ought” to do (clean up the place, build a wall) they might have used the rubble to stone that person.  But Nehemiah did not come in that manner.  Rather …

·       He acknowledges the distress and waste (v17). 

·       He calls them to get rid of their reproach (v17).

·       He tells them how God’s hand has already been on the situation (v18).

·       He tells them what the king had said (v18).

·       He apparently reminded them that building the walls was a “good work” (v18).  It was a work that had to be done if they were to establish themselves alongside the other nations/provinces.  It had to be done if they were to provide protection for their families.  Even for those who lived outside Jerusalem it would provide a place to which they could flee in the face of an attack.

Nehemiah’s wise actions and words had two results.  First, the people seemed to be genuinely excited to tackle the project.  And second, as always, it aroused the neighborhood bullies.  They had undoubtedly been heaping reproach on the people whenever they tried to do something good.  So here they were again.  But perhaps no one had properly stood up to them like Nehemiah did in v20.  These are the words of a man of faith, and the way he stood up to them in the name of the “God of heaven” inspired the people as well.  Finally, there was a true servant-leader for Israel.