|
|
|
- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
|
|
NEHEMIAH’S PRAYER
ANSWERED BY THE HAND OF GOD Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert (Neh 2:1-10) 3/7/10
I. NEHEMIAH RECEIVES
OPPORTUNITY FROM GOD (1-4) A. In chapter 1, Nehemiah
learned that the Post-Exilic Jews (aprox 97,000 cf. Constable) were in
great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its
gates are burned with fire (1:3). Nehemiah was burdened to undertake the
rebuilding of the wall and seek God’s favor to do so. In chapter 2, we see
God’s sovereign hand answer that prayer on behalf of His chastised but chosen
people. Nehemiah waited four months after his prayer (Kislev, Nov.-Dec. of
the Jewish calendar) for God to answer (Nisan, Mar.-Apr.). It was still the twentieth
year of King Artaxerxes, whose reign began in aprox. 464 B.C. in the
month of Tishri (Sep.-Oct) making it approximately 445-444 B.C (vs. 1). 1. It was
during a time when the wine was before him, possibly indicating a
festive time of the year for kings, when Nehemiah, the cupbearer (Heb.
mashqeh, "one giving drink"; Grk. oinochoos), brought
the king his wine. 2. Because of constant plots on the king’s
life, a cupbearer and a trustworthy person, was appointed to prepare (and be
willing to partake if necessary) the king’s food and drink. A cupbearer’s
life was expendable, but highly esteemed, influential, and quite possibly
generously rewarded (Ne 5:8,10,14,17 cf. 1Ki 10:5; 2 Ch 9:4). B. At the end of vs. 1, Nehemiah
records that he had not been sad in the king’s presence before. But now
Nehemiah’s countenance was so sad that the king noticed his sad face (vs. 2).
1. The king
rightly recognized that Nehemiah was not ill. Therefore, Nehemiah’s sadness
was a result of “sadness of heart.” “Sad” is translated from the Heb. word ra,
which literally means bad, but here it would mean that Nehemiah’s “spirit was downcast and it showed on his
countenance. 2. When the king asked Nehemiah why he was
downcast and depressed, Nehemiah was very much afraid. What was the reason
for Nehemiah’s fear? Some have suggested that since the king always had to be
on guard against royal rebellion, Nehemiah was afraid that his sad
countenance would be interpreted as malcontent. However, Nehemiah had another
reason to be afraid, for Nehemiah did not know whether the king would be
favorable to his request to rebuild Jerusalem. After all, the king had
stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem by force years earlier, due to the
suspicion of rebellion (cf. Ez 4:11-12, 23). C. In a most respectful
manner (“let the king live forever”), Nehemiah explained that he was sad
because the city where his forefathers were buried was desolate and damaged
(vs. 3). 1. Notice
that Nehemiah avoided using the name, “Jerusalem.” Perhaps he did this both
respectfully and wisely not to spur unnecessary emotions. 2. Furthermore, since the king obviously
knew to which city Nehemiah referred, Nehemiah was speaking from his heart
and heritage. D. The king was at least
receptive to hearing Nehemiah’s request and inquired of him (vs. 4). 1. The
Scriptures say that Nehemiah, before asking his request to the king, breathed
a prayer to the God of heaven, the sovereign God who reigns over the affairs
of men. 2. Even though Nehemiah prayed for four
months, he realized that every moment, yeah every word, must be prefaced by
prayer. In addition, even though Nehemiah planned what he was going to say to
the king, he still prayed immediately before his request. In this brief
prayer, he addressed God as the “God of heaven,” the One who is sovereign
over the affairs of men on earth. As a devout Jew, his whole-hearted
dependence was upon God and it was exhibited by his prayer. II. NEHEMIAH REQUESTS
REBUILDING FROM THE KING (5-9) A. Again Nehemiah begins with
respect and reverence for the king with, if it please the king, and if
your servant has found favor before you (vs. 5). 1. His
request was that the king would send him to Judah, the city of his ancestors
that he might rebuild its walls. 2. The king inquired of Nehemiah how long
his journey would be and when he would return. The king was obviously fond of
Nehemiah and did not want to give him up permanently. B. The comment stating that
the Queen was sitting beside the king is intriguing (6). However, it may have
been for Nehemiah, a credible witness of the king’s royal permission. C. It is here that we begin to see Nehemiah’s
administrative qualities. 1. Nehemiah
gave the king a “definite time” when he would return. This means he had
already calculated time, material, and labor to accomplish his task (6). 2. Nehemiah not only thought through the
timeframe but also how he was going to pass through the surrounding provinces
and asked for royal letters of permission from the king (7). 3. Furthermore, he planned for the provision
of timber from the king’s forest (8). Nehemiah had planned to use the timber
for: a) to make
beams for the gates of the fortress which is by the temple - Walls of protection are worthless without gates. b) for the wall of the city, - It is not usually known that timber was used
within the structure of the walls. c) for the house to which I will go. - He wisely needed a residence and a place from
which to administrate reconstruction. D. The king granted all of
these requests to Nehemiah. The reason the king changed his former order to
halt the reconstruction, may have had to do with Nehemiah’s character and
trustworthiness as well as new political developments in that region.
However, the real reasons behind the change of affairs was that God had answered
Nehemiah’s prayer and the good hand of God (common theme, Ne 2:18;
Ez 1:5; 7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31) was upon Nehemiah and the rebuilding of
Jerusalem. E. In one final comment, to show that God’s
hand was upon Nehemiah and his ministry, the king sent protection for
Nehemiah by way of officers and horsemen from the royal army (vs. 9). How
many officers we do not know, but it was sufficient to give Nehemiah safe
passage. We see then that the good hand of God upon Nehemiah accommodated him
with provision, passage, and protection. III. NEHEMIAH RECORDS TROUBLE
IN THE MIDST OF MINISTRY (10) A. Sanballat and Tobiah were
probably the conspirators against the rebuilding of Jerusalem earlier in Ezra
4:7-23 and had not changed their disposition (vs. 10). B. Nehemiah is truthful and revealing in his
introduction of Sanballat and Tobiah. First, they were “displeased” (raa,
evil or bad) from the beginning of Nehemiah’s administration. It was a
prelude of more to come. C. Second, Nehemiah reveals that they were
against anyone helping the “welfare” (tobah, good things or benefit)
of the sons of Israel. IV. OBSERVATIONS AND LEADERSHIP
APPLICATIONS A. Leadership takes time to
prayerfully plan before God (Pr 16:1). 1. The
question could be asked, “Is planning contrary to waiting for God’s will?”
The answer is that prayerfully planning before God is complimentary to His
will. 2. In fact, Scripture teaches us to plan (Pr
16:1a). However, we must realize that God’s ultimate plan will stand (Pr
16:1b; 19:21). The key is prayerfully planning and doing so in such a way as
to line up our plans with God’s plans (Pr 16:9). In addition, all planning
must begin with prayer if we desire to accomplish God’s will (Pr 16:3). B. Leadership trusts God to
work in and through authorities (Pr 21:1) 1. Even
though an authority may not be a follower of God, God is sovereign enough to
move them through various means to accomplish His will (Pr 21:1). 2. In addition, it is easier for God to work
through authorities when a servant of God is respectful and submissive like
Nehemiah (“king live forever,” “please the king,” “favor”). C. Leadership focuses on
God’s will in and through fearful conditions. 1. Every
human being experiences the emotion of fear from time to time. 2. But a spiritual leader focuses on God’s
calling, ministry, will, and protection. Courage may appear fearless, but is
not necessarily without fear. D. Leadership recognizes that
there will always be trouble in the midst of ministry. 1. Even
though God’s will is being pursued in the right way, it does not prevent
trouble, persecution, or even evil. 2. Throughout the study of Nehemiah, we will
gain principles how to deal with this. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
