August 2007 - Further Inspiration From the Prophet Nehemiah

Nehemiah, grieved at the news of the distressing condition of his returning exiled brethren in Judah, reported to be in great trouble and disgrace, also the broken down state of the walls of Jerusalem, prayerfully and actively sought leave from his job to improve this situation. It is to be noted that he had a very comfortable position and home life in a foreign country at this time. Having diligently prepared himself for this mission by prayer and planning, he was therefore readily able to request the help he needed from the king. Evidently his keen interest and ongoing prayers, moved God to guide him in this mission.

Accompanied by an armed escort befitting the position of a Governor, and with the required written authority from the King, Nehemiah encountered a very difficult and discouraging situation on his arrival. There was the opposition of influential officials, then the despairing spectacle of the broken down and burnt out condition of the walls of Jerusalem - a spectacle challenging to the bravest soul. Nehemiah, who did not underestimate this mission, however, lets us into his secret – his constant contact with God during this operation - for example, Nehemiah ch. 2: 12 reveals that he’d been directed by his God on the steps he should take. This tells me that it was God’s desire to rectify this situation, and he would work through this willing and devoted servant to accomplish this great task. Nehemiah had proven himself to be “….a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2: 21).

Nehemiah Reveals to Us The Secret of His Courage
In encouraging the Jews and Priests and Nobles to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah revealed how God had helped him in coming to Jerusalem. This was the confidence that motivated Nehemiah in attempting this humanly impossible operation.

As they began their work, they were the target of mockery and ridicule of those officials in high places. Their view, from the eye of the flesh, of the hopeless condition of the walls seen in the rubble and ruins, and the small number of the Jews working on this job, caused them to question the logic of attempting such an impossible task. They also joked about the unimpressive beginning, as perceived by them, which they considered could be easily destroyed even by a fox. Chapter three presents a picture of unity in operation among the brethren, despite the opposition, the taunts, and apparent hopelessness of their situation, as they worked together side by side. Here God in his Word is teaching us what we could accomplish if we work together diligently, focusing on his might and power, as they did, with all their heart (chapter 4: 6). As always, there were the discouraging who always focus on problems only, and in their weakness, could hinder progress. The people of Judah complained that the strength of the labourers was giving out and there was so much rubble that they could not rebuild the wall (vs. 10) and often times reported discouraging news of threats of attack. How negative! These people were focusing with the eye of the flesh, like their adversaries, and failed to take into account the power of God. Nehemiah did not dismiss their reports, as he’d been realistically assessing the situation, but because of his continuous reliance on God, he continued the work, approaching the situation with a very positive and faithful attitude taking whatever measures he could to protect themselves. His focus is revealed in this encouraging message to his people - “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes”.

When working with fellow weak human beings, there will be those interested only in pursuing their own selfish ambition, rather than pulling together for the common good of all. Chapter 5 tells us of acts of oppression against the poorer brethren by some of nobles and officials. Very poor examples to the Gentile adversaries. These are lessons which God is bringing to our attention to prepare us, when we too may have to be engaged in similar activities.

Nehemiah was so mindful of the burdens of the people, that he did not demand nor ate, the special food provided for the governors, nor took advantage of acquiring land for himself. He just could not enjoy this fleshly luxury, while his brethren around him were suffering. This applied even when he was in a distant land away from them, hence he could push his life of luxury behind, and wholeheartedly dedicate himself to the work of building the wall and improving the quality of life of his people.

Chapter 6: 15 tells us that the wall was completed in the remarkably short period of 52 days. The Bible notes state that those walls were in ruins for a century and a half. The surrounding nations, on seeing this miracle became afraid and lost their confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. What a convincing testimony to the power of God to overcome and prevail over all formidable obstacles! This was practically proclaimed to all around, by Nehemiah and his assistants in their operation of faith, reinforcing to us too, that with faith and belief in Our Heavenly Father, we could overcome any difficulty and seeming impossibility, and in so doing proclaim to all the nations around us (the united and disunited alike), that our God is in control and will accomplish his will.

Nehemiah is an inspiration to us in our attempt at taking on the challenging task of resettling our refugee brethren from the camps, into their own homes, where they could not only have some sort of control over their families and their domestic affairs, but more importantly, behold the love of their brethren and the power of Our Loving God. Let us ask Our Heavenly Father to implant in us that love and dedication to devote ourselves to this service, to actively and wholeheartedly support those who are engaged in this mission and to further expand this activity, as there are hundreds awaiting our assistance. We know that Our Heavenly Father is involved in their lives, wants to see them delivered, and will work through our love for them, by guiding us, as we actively work on their behalf.

Let us begin with earnest and ongoing prayers, following up by CIRCULATING THIS MESSAGE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE TO AS MANY BRETHREN AS WE COULD, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SERVICE OF LOVE, also in their prayers and interest, through which, as in the case of Nehemiah, Our Heavenly Father will guide them into action that will be of benefit to our brethren.

REFUGEE MATTEERS - Inspiration From the Prophet Nehemiah

In the position of the king’s cupbearer, Nehemiah would have been a very valued and trusted employee in the royal palace, one from whom the King would not want to be separated. We could then imagine the advantages he enjoyed both in public and in his private life. He would be in need of nothing, somewhat like Moses, the prince of Egypt.

Nehemiah’s Overwhelming Concern for His Suffering Brethren
Despite his comfortable job with its luxury life, life for him was not perfect. He was very concerned about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. How could he enjoy the comforts around him, when his brethren were undergoing such great suffering? Many of us, in Nehemiah’s position would have been too wrapped up in our life of luxury to give thought to matters of this sort. Rather, he eagerly sought whatever information he could get about their position. He found the report conveyed to him, heart breaking – “those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire”. He mourned, wept, fasted and prayed. Notice the fervency of his feelings (Nehemiah 1: 4) also the frequency of his prayers in vs. 6 – day and night. This shows a man very driven. Moreover, in his prayers, he associated himself with the sinfulness of his fellow people, the Israelites. Even though he had such an exalted position in the Public Service in this foreign country, he still felt that oneness in every respect with his suffering brethren back in Jerusalem. Far removed as we are from our suffering refugee brethren, they are still our brethren, knitted together by the shed blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and one in our baptism in him, in accordance with that well known passage in Galations 3: 26 – 28, You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who are baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This is a fact that we brethren especially in the free “developed” countries of the world must face head-on in our relationship with our brethren in the poorer countries. We are not one only in baptism, but in our joys, our sorrows, our suffering, our feelings. Nehemiah’s privileged position did not separate him from this fact. His people’s suffering was his own suffering.

The question I ask myself here is how did Nehemiah remain so connected, when he could have been so easily and naturally swallowed up in his life of luxury? Similarly, Moses and Joseph. What was their secret? Ezra 7, vs. 10 reveals Ezra’s motivation for his journey from Babylon to Jerusalem – “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel”. This reveals the power of God’s word on our hearts and way of life. Its light clearly shows up the shallowness of the world around us, despite all its luxuries and show, and therefore gives a balanced approach to life on the whole, which will then govern our choices and desires. Our study of God’s word should therefore produce extraordinary results in our way of life.

Nehemiah’s Big Challenge And His Prayer
What could he do about this situation, and how would he begin? He rightly started with fervent ongoing prayers, asking God to do what was not possible for him to do – granting him favour in the presence of this man. “This man” – This expression brings out how formidable he considered the challenge he faced in obtaining leave from his job, as his position seemed indispensable.

God Indeed Answers The Prayers Of Those Earnestly Seeking To Serve Him
How could Nehemiah be happy when his heart was so heavy about the suffering of his brethren and the terrible state of his country? This so affected his life and his disposition, most likely unknowing to himself, that the King observed the change. The fact that he was afraid when the king questioned this, indicates the delicate situation he was in now, especially with respect to the very sensitive nature of his job.

However this presented an opening for him to state his problem, which he boldly did, empowered by his sincere prayers. Nehemiah’s pulse must have quickened at the king’s response.

A quick prayer before presenting his request to the King, and the God of his Fathers moved on his behalf - “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1)..

It is to be noted that Nehemiah already had a plan as there was no hesitation in his immediate response to the King following his prayer. He was even in a position to make detailed requests for the furtherance of his project. Even though at the time of receiving the distressing information about his brethren, he had no idea how he would begin to assist them, rather than giving in to the apparent hopelessness of the situation, he became active and did what was possible for him to do. He began making plans along with his prayers. God had noted Nehemiah’s earnestness, his desire, his plans, had heard his prayer and took over, doing what Nehemiah was powerless to do. .

Our Similar Situation With The Problem Of Resettling Our Suffering Refugee Brethren
We have very many refugee brethren in camps living in conditions that many of us can never imagine. Some of it has been revealed to us by our brother Abedi. The scriptures were written for our instruction, and the examples of those worthy saints revealed therein, are placed there for us to note and strive to follow. Do we feel as strongly about our refugee brethren as our brother Nehemiah did about his brethren who survived the exile and were living in disgrace? We should take note of Nehemiah’s approach, take courage from his courage, and prayerfully and boldly do our part in striving to rescue our brethren from their wretched existence. Let us bear in mind the words of the King, when we appear before his throne of glory – “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).