Nehemiah 2:1-10, A Man of Action

·       The servant Nehemiah was a man of action, 2:1-10.

Nehemiah, the servant of the LORD, was a man of faith.  Faith always produces work.  There is a “working” definition of faith I have always liked: “faith is visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it.”  Think about that with respect to Nehemiah.  He knew that God wanted the walls rebuilt.  How did he know that?  Was it because it was such a heavy burden on Nehemiah’s heart?  It certainly was that.  But that is not enough.  Evil men are highly motivated by their pride and selfishness.  Nehemiah needed more than that.  What we saw in Ch. 1 was that he was familiar with the book of Deuteronomy and God’s promise to restore His people.  It was obvious that God had brought the people back following the 70 years captivity prophesied by Jeremiah.  And Nehemiah could be sure that God’s plan was not that the people be in such a difficult situation.  Read 1:10 again: “Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.”

But in Nehemiah’s situation, if he was to serve the LORD in this he would need permission from the king.  Therefore, having prayed, he then went into action by approaching Artaxerxes.  I don’t think Nehemiah purposely put on a sad face; I think it was just there (v1).  Being sad in the king's presence was not the way you were supposed to be.  It was easy to answer the king’s first question (why are you sad).  But the second question, “What do you request,” required a second prayer from Nehemiah (v4), the kind we should use throughout every day of our lives.

Notice that Nehemiah was ready with an answer.  He had been thinking about this matter ever since his brother had reported to him of the sad situation in Jerusalem.  He answered the King with full respect (v5).  There was discussion, indicating that the king valued Nehemiah and wanted to get him back at an appropriate time.  Verses 7-8 likely took place at the same time, indicating Nehemiah had enough of a plan to make all the requests of the king at this time so as not to take up his time with a second visit.

So Nehemiah went into action, not immediately but at a time of God’s choosing (as the king and queen sat together).  I am reminded of Peter’s encouraging words in 1 Pt. 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”  I see this in Nehemiah.  By prayer and fasting in Ch. 1 he had put the LORD in His proper place.  By Spirit-led thoughts he was ready for the moment of God’s choosing when he would be able to approach the king.  The result?  “The king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.”  That is what we need to experience as we live in the “times of the Gentiles.”