A Reflection on Nehemiah

Nehemiah : Faith Builds Faith.

a reflection on how Nehemiah’s faith rebuilt the Walls of Jerusalem

 and the Jewish People.

by @minidvr 10 April 2014

image courtesy of http://daleblogging.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/on-nehemiahs-wall.html

The story of Nehemiah is of a Jew in exile who gained a powerful position in the Court of King Artaxerxes of Babylon. Previously in Ezra we heard how the Jews were freed to return to Israel and how the Temple was rebuilt. Nehemiah hears of the plight of his brother Jews in Israel, how they are exploited by officials and bandits and have no security, as the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins. Nehemiah is so moved by this and pleads with the King to release him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He was taking a huge risk in this and also giving up a lifestyle of power and privilege to go to the aid of the people of Israel.

Nehemiah’s prayer before meeting the King is one of great faith, contrition on behalf of his people and hope in God’s love which will free his people. In my mind it displays a strength of faith in God’s merciful bounty that is an inspiration to me and hopefully to you (Nehemiah 1:4-10).

⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.”

God’s Response:

God’s response is real and profound. Nehemiah is granted his wish and more. He is made Governor of Judah and given the power and freedom to proceed as he requested. His influence with the King is part of this, but his faith and belief that his prayers would and were answered speaks volumes for his powers of persuasion.

But this is only a first step, he will need all of God’s strength and power alongside him in the journey and work before him. The confidence with which he approaches the daunting tasks facing him and the Jewish people demonstrates again, the strength of that faith that shines through and is transmitted to those who he deals with. It’s transformative and restorative in its power and direction and brings about a strength and determination among the whole Jewish people to work and to persevere and to succeed in the face of all obstacles including warlike threats and plots of violence to complete the rebuilding and in doing so, rebuilds the Jewish nation. The way that Nehemiah transmitted his faith through prayer and example holds real lessons for us today.

Nehemiah helps the poor:

Nehemiah found that all wasn’t well among the Jews themselves. Since their return they had been exploited by the governors and rich powerful, who’d profited from them in many ways through taxations, lending on mortgages which charged interest (contrary to God’s law) and they had in many cases become slaves to these people. (Nehemiah 5:1-13).

Nehemiah challenges and scolds those responsible for exploiting their fellow Jews and the power of his persuasion causes a change of heart and resentence and renewal of faith and prayer:

⁶ When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. ⁷ I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them ⁸ and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

⁹ So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? ¹⁰ I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! ¹¹ Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”

¹² “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”

Here I see Nehemiah’s faith and belief in God’s power causing the conversion of people from greed and self interest to one of a sharing and community building. What an example that sets for our world and communities today? Working for a shared, mutual benefit gives power and dignity to people who have a living wage and are not living enslaved to debt or in the power of the lenders or unfriendly governments.

What do I learn from Nehemiah?

For the me, and hopefully for others, the key message of that ‘leap of faith’ which banishes doubt and empowers us through God’s grace to do more than might seem possible. Jesus said “What is impossible for man is possible for God” (Mark 10:27). Nehemiah sets us an example of faith which knows no bounds and a trust, hope and confidence in God’s power that will remove all barriers to his love and grace. A faith that by achieving within us, helps us to achieve with others, making disciples. Our faith will shine out like a light and light attracts light. God be praised.

 This post originally featured on the www.bigbible.org/digidisciple web site on 10th April 2014