YOU: Connect. Grow. Serve. Go! Summer 2010 Leader Commentary Unit 3: Stepping Up to Serve Session 2: It s Time to Go! (see pp. 73-77) The Question: When it s time to go, will I? The Point: God expects me to step up when it s time to serve. Background Passage: Nehemiah 2:1-18; 3:1-32 Focal Passage: Nehemiah 2:1-8,11-18 This commentary is designed to help you think about the question, When it s time to go, will I? and to drive home this one truth: God expects me to step up when it s time to serve. Focus on These Points Nehemiah hurt deeply when he heard of the trouble in his ancestral city. He did not simply receive the report as bad news but took it to heart and began planning to do what he could about the situation. When the preparations were in place, he stepped out of his comfort zone and went. He knew that when it s time to go, you go! Go Wholeheartedly (Neh. 2:1-3) The month of Nisan [NIGH san] was the first month of the Jewish year. The Jewish people celebrated Passover on the fourteenth day of that month. The redemption of God s people and the rebuilding of Jerusalem especially filled Nehemiah s heart during this time. Four months had passed since Nehemiah first learned of Jerusalem s sad condition, and he had prayed about the matter fervently. He now was about to receive an opportunity to raise his concern and experience God s answer to his prayers. As the king s cupbearer Nehemiah ensured the wine the king received was of good quality. Nehemiah s statement I had never been sad in his presence (v. 1) suggests two things. First, Nehemiah kept his concerns a private matter between God and himself. He had not allowed his heartache for Jerusalem to affect his work performance. Second, Nehemiah followed established protocol not to be sad in the king s presence. Sad people might negatively influence the mood of the king, prompting him to issue a decree he would later regret when in a better mood. An unhappy demeanor might also signal evil intentions toward the king.
That Artaxerxes noticed something different about Nehemiah s usual demeanor probably indicated his close relationship with Nehemiah. Nonetheless, Nehemiah was overwhelmed with fear (v. 2). His fear may have come from his breaking protocol regarding sadness in the king s presence. However, his fear also may have come from realizing God was preparing the king s heart to hear Nehemiah s request. Nehemiah spoke respectfully but to the point. The words May the king live forever! (v. 3) commonly introduced statements people made to an ancient Near Eastern king (Dan. 2:4; 3:9; 5:10). He reflected on his beloved Jerusalem as he spoke to the king. Even in exile, the Israelites remembered Jerusalem with great emotion (Ps. 137:4-6). Nehemiah described Jerusalem with personal emotion as the city where his ancestors lay buried. The fact that it also lay in ruins did not do justice to the memory of Nehemiah s ancestors! Furthermore, Jerusalem s gates were destroyed by fire when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem in 587/586 B.C. and tore down its walls (2 Kings 25:8-10). A city s security depended on the strength of its gates and walls, but Jerusalem had only broken down walls and burned gates! Nehemiah invested his whole heart in the service of God. Halfhearted, indifferent activity would not suffice. As we step up to serve the Lord, we must invest our hearts fully in His work. Go Courageously (Neh. 2:4-8) The king s probing question, What is your request? (v. 4) provided Nehemiah the opportunity to bring his petition before Artaxerxes. After four months of prayerful anticipation, the moment had come. Nehemiah s words So I prayed to the God of heaven (v. 4) did not describe the first time Nehemiah had prayed about the matter. He had been praying since the day he heard of Jerusalem s condition (Neh. 1:4). No doubt his comment here refers to a quick, heat-of-the-moment prayer he uttered under his breath before continuing his conversation with the king. Christians sometimes find themselves praying such quick prayers today, and God certainly may honor them. However, such crisis prayers should build on regular, more intentional prayers. Nehemiah s words If it pleases the king (v. 5) followed standard protocol (Esth. 3:9; 8:5). His words if your servant has found favor with you (v. 5) referred to Nehemiah s own track record of service before the king. Artaxerxes knew him as a trusted, faithful official. As God prepares us for various roles of service, are we building a track record of faithful service in small matters? Does your service to God honor Him? Usually faithfulness in small acts of service leads to God using us for greater acts of service.
Nehemiah asked the king s blessing to return to Judah and added the words the city where my ancestors are buried (v. 5) as a further reminder to the king of Nehemiah s personal interest and involvement in the matter. Nehemiah asked for the king s blessing to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls. Notice how Nehemiah laid before the king his specific request. As Nehemiah prayed the previous four months, the Lord clearly was working in his heart to give him a vision of what was to come. Nehemiah understood that he needed God s intervention for his success. God likewise must bless our service to Him if it is to have eternal significance (see 1 Cor. 3:12-15). Some interpreters suggest the mention of both king and queen together in the throne room means Nehemiah enjoyed a private audience. Possibly the queen may have influenced the king s decision. At any rate, Artaxerxes asked for specific details regarding Nehemiah s plans for his journey to Jerusalem as well as Nehemiah s anticipated time to return. The 12-year period mentioned in Nehemiah 5:14 and 13:6 is almost certainly not the definite time Nehemiah gave Artaxerxes. Nehemiah probably reported back within a year after he dedicated Jerusalem s walls. The words it pleased the king to send me (v. 6) reveal that Artaxerxes granted initial approval of Nehemiah s request. More issues needed arranging, but Nehemiah also had thought through the details. The dialogue between Nehemiah and the king reflects the first of many instances where Nehemiah demonstrated both a deep reliance on God and a willingness to exercise personal responsibility. God s work and His children s planning are not contradictory. God often works through prepared people. Nehemiah requested letters of approval so he could present them to the governors west of the Euphrates River (v. 7). He no doubt was aware of problems Zerubbabel, Judah s earlier governor, had experienced with some of those governors (Ezra 5:6-17). Nehemiah wanted to be sure everybody understood he had the king of Persia s approval. Otherwise, they might not grant Nehemiah passage to Judah. Nehemiah also knew he would need timber to rebuild the gates of the temple s fortress, the city wall (v. 8), and his own home. We do not know any further information regarding Asaph [AY saf] other than his role here. The location of the king s forest is also unknown. Some interpreters identify it with Lebanon because of its forests of cedar and other coniferous trees (1 Kings 5:6). Or possibly the king s forest designates a royal reserve within Judea. The latter seems more likely, as imported cedar was not necessary for common building. The text notes that the king granted Nehemiah s requests as Nehemiah experienced the gracious strengthening of his God. God does not call all His followers to head such a big project as Nehemiah did. As we follow Christ, normally the Lord starts us on smaller projects and develops our gifts and talents through these projects. In His perfect timing, He then gives us larger opportunities. In any case, we should remember that no job done for God, no matter how small, is insignificant. We do not know how mightily God may use
some seemingly meager effort to accomplish great things for His purposes. The most important thing for all of us is that we remain ready to courageously step up to serve as God directs. Go with Help from Others (Neh. 2:11-18) Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem safely, accompanied by officers of the infantry and cavalry (v. 9), a sign of the king s endorsement of his mission. We may presume for the three days after his arrival Nehemiah rested from his journey and prayed for the work that lay ahead. Nehemiah decided to do a night inspection of Jerusalem and its walls, presumably to attract less attention about his presence and activities. He didn t tell anyone about the plans God had laid on his heart because he first wanted to research further the great task before him. Nehemiah wanted a clear plan in his own mind before he began to enlist the support of others for that plan. Even today, good leaders clarify in their own minds their plans and goals before enlisting the support of others. Lack of clarity can doom a project before it starts. Nehemiah s inspection focused on Jerusalem s southwestern-southeastern slopes. The Tyropoeon Valley bordered Jerusalem to the west, and archaeological data suggests the Valley Gate faced this valley. The Serpent s Well (or dragon s well) may have been along Jerusalem s southwestern slope. The Dung Gate lay at the southern tip of the city where the Tyropoeon and Kidron Valleys meet. As he went along, Nehemiah inspected the walls of Jerusalem and viewed again and again their broken down condition. What he saw must have discouraged him greatly; at the same time, he knew God had prepared him for this moment. The Fountain Gate probably designates a gate near the Gihon Spring, Jerusalem s main water supply. If so, it lay along Jerusalem s southeastern slope overlooking the Kidron Valley and facing the Mount of Olives. Some interpreters believe the King s Pool designates the Pool of Siloam or an overflow pool for the Pool of Siloam. When his route became too narrow, Nehemiah continued by way of the valley that lay below the rubbish that blocked his path. He inspected the wall that stood on the slope above where he rode. Nehemiah then retraced his steps along Jerusalem s southern and southwestern edge. His re-entry through the Valley Gate on the city s western slope completed his investigative journey. At this point, few of Jerusalem s officials or other leaders knew of Nehemiah s inspection and none knew the ultimate purpose of his trip to Jerusalem. Nehemiah probably believed that those who would be doing the work would want to know he had thought through everything carefully. Nehemiah had
done so, but his final inspection of the walls provided him further important information to finalize his plans. He was about to face the biggest leadership challenge of his life! Nehemiah enlisted the necessary support by the use of the term we. By doing so, he identified with those he wished to enlist in the project. The work required a team effort something that would honor God and bring blessing to all the Israelites in the city, not merely to Nehemiah. God s leader mentioned the trouble in which the people found themselves. Without adequate protection and security, they were highly vulnerable to enemy attack. Nehemiah painted the vivid picture of Jerusalem in ruins along with its burned gates, thus appealing to the people s senses of loyalty and obligation toward the city of their ancestors. He encouraged them to help rebuild Jerusalem s wall. Only then would Jerusalem s citizens no longer be a disgrace (v. 17). Nehemiah further encouraged the people by telling them how the gracious hand of their God had guided Nehemiah s conversation with the king. Probably many listened with excitement as he shared details of that discussion with the king. Only God could have granted Nehemiah such favor! Nehemiah s confident words regarding the king s blessing were important, for Judah s enemies soon would try to plant seeds of doubt in the people s minds (Neh. 2:19; 6:5-7). The people needed to know the Persian government had endorsed Nehemiah s plan or else rebuilding the wall might be interpreted as a sign of rebellion! Nehemiah s impassioned plea, coupled with his assurances about God s work on the people s behalf, planted new zeal in the hearts of Jerusalem s leaders. They were encouraged to do this good work (v. 18) Nehemiah put before them. It was an important first step, though much work remained, and soon opposition would come (2:19-20). When he arrived in Jerusalem, Nehemiah surveyed the work he needed to do and began enlisting the necessary support. We likewise must enlist the support and involvement of others as we step up to serve the Lord. God usually does His work through teams of people who unite in their commitment to His vision.