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“search the scriptures” John 5:39
The earlier part of this chapter, chapter 2 verses 1 to 10, records Nehemiah’s audience before King Artaxerxes. Taking the opportunity offered by the king’s enquiry, he asked to be released from his duty as cupbearer, and for resources to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. By verse 8, Nehemiah was able to say that these had been granted ‘according to the good hand of my God upon me’.
Nehemiah later became responsible for overseeing the rebuilding of the city’s walls, gates, and doors. These were important for regulating the security of the place associated with God’s name, and for ensuring its distinctiveness. First, however, he had learned to regulate his own life. This began with prioritizing the things of God, Neh. 1. 1, 2. His concern for his brethren and for Jerusalem was expressed through prayer over a period of four months, vv. 2-11.1Moreover, Nehemiah chapter 2 verses 1 to 9 are testament to his consistency in civil matters before the king, perhaps over several years. These were key factors in understanding God’s purpose and obtaining the approval of Artaxerxes.
The events of this chapter also cover a period of four months in which preparation was made for the task ahead. Although the work of rebuilding the wall took just fifty-two days, much more time was spent in prayer and preparation.2
Maintaining a testimony to the honour of God’s name and upholding the truth today brings into view our own behaviour, 1 Tim. 3. 15. Those who oversee God’s house must be blameless in the personal, domestic, and civil spheres, 1 Tim. 3. 1-7. However, since elders are called to be ‘ensamples to the flock’, godly character ought to be the aim for each of God’s people, 1 Pet. 5. 3. Proverbs chapter 25 verse 28 says, ‘He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls’. Therefore, to be ‘meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work’, self-discipline is something for which we must take individual responsibility, 2 Tim. 2. 21.
Nisan was the month of Passover, bringing to mind the occasion of Israel’s release from Egypt. They were to be ready to go when the moment came; having their loins girded, feet shod, and their staff in their hand. On their departure, they requested resources that would be used to build God a sanctuary, Exod. 12. 11, 35. Nisan was also the month that Ezra, having prepared his heart for the task in hand, set out for Jerusalem. He stood before the same king as Nehemiah, thirteen years earlier. Artaxerxes had granted his request, supplying the resources required, Ezra 7. 6-28. What an encouragement to Nehemiah as he anticipated what may have been a rare private occasion before the king.3
The Lord can provide for every work that He commissions, for His resources are limitless. Grateful for His provision by the hand of the Philippian believers, Paul also assured them, ‘my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus’, Phil. 4. 19. The same God also stands ready to meet our needs when His work is our priority. The challenge to us is our own readiness to be used by Him.
David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary to Africa, wrote, ‘Lord, send me anywhere; only go with me. Lay any burden on me; only sustain me. Sever any tie, save the tie that binds me to Thy heart’.4
Within the walls of the palace, Nehemiah bore in his hand the king’s wine, that ‘maketh glad the heart of man’, Ps. 104. 15. However, upon his heart was the affliction of his brethren, and the fact that Jerusalem was without a wall. Sensitive to the burden the Lord had placed upon him, Nehemiah’s own cup was empty!
Let us not allow any of earth’s joys to make us insensitive to the spiritual and practical needs of our brethren near and far. The Macedonian believers are an example of such virtue. Though passing through a great trial of affliction, their heart for the Lord moved them to send a gift joyfully and liberally for the sake of the poor saints in Jerusalem, Rom. 15. 26; 2 Cor. 8. 1-5. If the Lord lays upon us an exercise to help further the testimony of God, may we be sensitive to His leading.
A cheerful countenance would have been fitting for presenting the king’s cup. Nehemiah said, ‘I had not been beforetime sad in his presence’, v. 1. Had consistency been lacking, his position may have been at stake and nothing unusual would have been noted. However, Nehemiah was valued personally by Artaxerxes, for he expressed tender interest in his servant, ‘Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart’ -Nehemiah’s burden was now plain to see, v. 2. Whilst he had been faithful in daily matters, the Lord had brought him into favour with the king. Daniel had a similar experience. Having purpose of heart, he had offered a request that was granted since ‘God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love’ with one in authority, Dan. 1. 9.
Believers today are to maintain a testimony before the world that is consistent with the gospel of Christ, Phil. 1. 27. Paul’s words to the Colossians might be applied to the sphere of work today, ‘Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men’, Col. 3. 22, 23. The world is looking on and takes note. Whilst Christian conduct is not universally appreciated, consistency, diligence and integrity are virtues that, when questioned, may offer opportunities to witness for the Lord.
The king’s question gave Nehemiah the opportunity to speak openly. His weight of feeling is expressed thus, ‘Then I was very sore afraid’, v. 2. A change in the manner of a cupbearer might indicate treachery, leading to his execution. However, it is more likely that Nehemiah’s concern was that he might express himself properly at this pivotal moment. The wellbeing of the Lord’s people and the condition of the testimony for the honour of His name was at stake. With care, he addressed the king respectfully, ‘Let the king live for ever’. Jerusalem had previously been called, ‘the rebellious and the bad city’, when associated with building, but Nehemiah called it ‘the place of my fathers’ sepulchres’, appealing to the king’s sympathy, v. 3.5
Paul too wanted to communicate in the right way when the moment arose to declare the gospel, ‘that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak’, Col. 4. 4. He also used language appropriate for his audience, whether Jew or Gentile, Act. 17. 2, 3, 16-32. Colossians chapter 4 verse 6 brings a similar thought to bear on our testimony, ‘Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man’.
The king invited Nehemiah’s request - what a moment! Yet even at this point, he recognized his dependence on the Lord and addressed the ‘God of heaven’. Before he petitioned the king, he supplicated the King of kings. A man would be the means, but God moved the king to provide for His work. It is worth noting that Nehemiah’s brief prayer offered up in a moment was preceded by four months that were saturated in prayer.
The king was already inclined to grant Nehemiah’s request, speaking of it as though agreed, ‘how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return?’ v. 6. Nehemiah had given thought to the next steps and was able to indicate a timeframe. Encouraged by the king’s disposition, ‘it pleased the king to send me’, v. 6, he sought further favour - letters granting him authority for safe movement, v. 7. Whilst he could not yet have known every detail of the site materials required, he requested access to the best resources, v. 8. The enemies of God’s people were looking on, but having authority to advance the work, Nehemiah did not need to move around like a fugitive; the king even supplied a military escort. According ‘to the good hand of my God’ upon him, all that was needed was granted, vv. 8, 9.
Our God is not only able to prepare an opening, but He can also prosper every opportunity taken. Furthermore, He has the resources for the completion of His work. May we prepare for any opportunity the Lord grants us with this assurance in mind, ready to seize the occasion, entreating His favour. The Lord’s commission was to, ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen’, Matt. 28. 19, 20.
He has given us the resources that are required for gospel witness and assembly testimony - the indwelling Spirit of God, our enabling; the scriptures of truth, our authority.
From the narrative alone, the broader implications of this occasion could be overlooked. The prophet Daniel had been told that ‘from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks’, Dan. 9. 25, after which Messiah would be cut off, v. 26.6 Therefore, the king’s agreement to rebuild the city walls marked off a moment in God’s calendar that led to the arrival of the Lord Jesus at Jerusalem.
Let us not underestimate the wider significance of God’s purpose through our lives. Personal conduct is a testimony for the Lord in itself, Titus 2. 10, that may lead to an opportunity to witness in word also. Such an opening could set off or link together a chain of events leading to the arrival of the Saviour in the life of some lost soul.
Let us therefore prepare our hearts personally before the Lord and ensure that our conduct is consistent with our convictions. The Apostle Peter wrote, ‘sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience’, 1 Pet. 3. 15, 16.7
Chisleu was the ninth month, and Nisan the first, Neh. 1. 1; 2. 1. Artaxerxes’ twentieth year is mentioned in both verses and clearly straddled Israel’s calendar year.
The wall was completed in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, the sixth month, in fifty-two days, Neh. 6. 15. Therefore, the building began at the end of the fourth month, Tammuz. Nehemiah’s four-month journey may be comparable to Ezra’s, Ezra 7. 9, 1st/1st - 1st/5th.
Possibly indicated by the queen’s presence, v. 6.
Hymn. 654, Rejoice Hymns, Majesty Music.
Ezra 4. 12.
Sixty-nine weeks, or ‘sevens’ equal 483 years.
Cp. Prov. 16. 1.
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