Forward Thinking
for God’s Builders
(Nehemiah 2:11-20)
Introduction
In our prior look at Nehemiah (comfort of Yahweh) and his challenge
of rebuilding a destroyed city we saw that brokenness 1 is the basis
for breakthrough and that wise people are opportunists that seize
seasons of sorrow and setback in order to spring forward (Nehemiah
2:1-10) into their work. There is a blessedness in brokenness (Psalm
34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; 66:1-2; Matthew 5:4) and a promise of
positive outcomes when we are persistent with God (Hebrews 11:6).
People with a history of great failure that continue reading the
memoirs of Nehemiah will find the cup bearer’s life to be very encouraging. His adventure emboldens us to
think seriously about moving by God’s grace beyond an identity defined by serious mistakes to live effectively
for God’s glory and the good of God’s people. Nehemiah, by his words and works, exhorts the modern reader
to stop fixating on failures and look at the possibilities that lie ahead. Can you hear him? He says in effect, “If
you will own your errors and be broken before God, regardless of the past, the LORD can use you to bring
about changes for His glory and the good of His people.” If you have accumulated a few heart wrenching
failures over the years Nehemiah’s message is powerful medicine. 2
As we continue to examine Nehemiah’s records we do well to consider his other insights into what is required
for building with God. Certainly those who are going to build with God must be broken and inveterate in
prayer and planning. But there is more. Through the remaining verses of chapter two the cupbearer-turnedbuilder shows me that those who would build effectively with God must recognize the four important
instruments for facing down the challenges that go with rebuilding where things lie waste and where the gates
are burned with fire (Nehemiah 2:13, 17). Beyond brokenness and prayerful planning there are four tools that
you and I would do well to become handy with: (1) regular rest and retreats, (2) reconnaissance, (3) relating to
recruits, and (4) responding to ridicule. As we examine Nehemiah 2:11-20 we will see the great regard that the
author has for each of these four tools. And, insofar as God allows, we will try to identify the principles that
undergird the utility of each device – the timeless truths that promise to work as well for us as they did for
Nehemiah.
Brokenness is a synonym for surrender. In the first chapter of Nehemiah it is seen as unfeigned contrition (Nehemiah 1:4),
unfiltered confession (Nehemiah 1:6,7), and unfettered commitment (Nehemiah 1:11) in the author.
2
In fact, whenever I take time to consider the contents of his journal I am made to see that there is hope for me and help so that I
can be, by the grace of God, a positive contributor to what the Almighty is building in the world today. And what is God building in
the world today? His Church. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of
Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) And He invites you and I to be more than just part of the structure; he calls us to
join Him in the work by making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
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Recognizing the Requirement for Rest (Nehemiah 2:11-12b)
So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men
with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any
animal with me, except the one on which I rode.
The journey from Shushan to Jerusalem would have taken about four months. In that time Nehemiah would
have been worn down by the 800 mile trek, constant making and breaking of camp, and any number of
difficulties attendant such travel. 3 While it is certain that he was eager to go to work he does not immediately
start trying to rebuild. Where many would have gone in with gusto to (1) establish themselves as being in
command and (2) lay down infrastructure, his approach is different. Nehemiah’s work and enthusiasm is
checked by his recognition of the requirement for rest. His best work will come after he has restored his
resources. So, he was there three days in Jerusalem without anything noteworthy taking place because he
was involved in the strategic activity of resting.
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The Example of Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-3, 5-18)
I am certain that he was aware of what could happen to even the greatest of godly leaders if they allowed
themselves to get spiritually ragged. The story of Elijah speaks volumes. For all of Elijah’s great courage and
ability to confront the enemies of God, when he became rundown he was easy to run off. Even though he
had effectively disgraced and dispatched her false prophets, with little more than a threat Jezebel was able to
send this great man of God fleeing for his life (1 Kings 19:1-3). Why? He was tired… exhausted. All of those
great wonders done though Him by God had taken a toll on the prophet.4 In his depleted state his adversaries
appeared more ominous. His anxieties were overwhelming. He needed time away from the fray to be
restored... to rest and eat a bite (1 Kings 19:5-18).
The Explanation and Example
Years later we would see Jesus force His men to rest with Him (Matthew 14:12-13). Nearing the end of his
earthly ministry He would articulate the principle that would prove to make them indomitable leaders in the
church: being with Him is the secret to their incredible ability to stand in the face of opposition and
accomplish great things.
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The Rest is Offered – Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Notice that rest comes
before the yoke. We cannot labor effectively until we are well rested. Jesus offers that rest.
The Rest is not Optional – John 15:27 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me
from the beginning. The outworking of just being with Jesus is effective witnessing for Jesus. Those
who will rest in Him shall become witnesses; this is a promise based on a principle: in His presence we
find the power to perform His will. The corollary to this truth is that refusing His rest results in failure.
Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Traveling such a long time and for such a long distance I imagine he often heard, “Are we there yet?”
See also Judges 15:14-19 for example of how a great period of utility in the hands of God can be followed by extreme exhaustion
and even spiritual dismay. Such was the case with the judge Samson. After having been used by God to smite a thousand men he is
ready to “die of thirst.” Can it be that a man so robust and effective in destroying the enemy was that close to death? It seems that
the aftermath of the exercise of such great gifting left his body and mind frail and frayed respectively.
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The Result of Resting is Obvious – Acts 4:13 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they
had been with Jesus. Even unbelievers and the adversaries of Jesus recognized the principle of
empowerment and capability that comes as a result of just being with Jesus.
The Rest is Ongoing – Luke 5:12-16 Notice that the need for retreating is repeating. Even the Son of
God requires regular retreats from the fray to just be with His Father.
What am I saying to you? Only this: you depend on God to serve God effectively. And adequately resting in
Him is required. There is nothing spiritual about neglecting time with God to press through and serve Him
(Luke 10:38-42). Regularly retreat to Him so that you can serve Him with zeal.
Planning for Power Outage
Even the Son of God would not dare to do God's will apart from much time with His Father. Indeed, as ministry
demands grew he retired to be with His Father even more (Luke 5:12-16).
It is in our retreating that we find the strength to advance the agenda of the Almighty.
Take out time to just be with Him in reflection, in requesting what you need, in resting.
Do you aim to serve the Lord
With your very best?
Then often break to be with Him
Improving with some rest.
Ministry requires power. And when you are exposed to people who have needs power goes out of you –
whether you want it to or not. Your resources, full in the morning based on a great time in prayer, study, and
worship, may be gone by the end of the day.
•
Broad View of Power Distribution - Luke 6:17-19 17 And He came down with them and stood
on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and
Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their
diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And
the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
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High Definition View of Power Distribution - Matthew 9:20-22 20 And suddenly, a woman
who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For
she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around,
and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the
woman was made well from that hour.
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Alternate Camera Angle - Luke 8:43-48 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who
had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and
touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who
touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and
press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived
power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling;
and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had
touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer;
your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
It is in the light of these passages we should see our devotionals and the practice of communion as
indispensable. Simply being around those who need help can be enough to cause power to go out of us. If this
power is not replaced we become weak and start to behave worldly. 5 With this in mind we should take a cue
from Jesus and withdraw in order to rest and be renewed before and after going out to minister to others.
building principle 1 of 4: every endeavor in His service requires energy exceeding our natural
capacity. the power to perform God’s will is only found in God’s presence. therefore we often
retreat in order be restored and renewed; the advance is born in our retreat.
Recognizing the Requirement for Recon (Nehemiah 2:12c-16)
Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my
heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. 13 And
I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed
the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. 14
Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal
under me to pass. 15 So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back
and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had
gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the
others who did the work.
We are often ready to solve the problem even before we really know what it is. Without fully investigating the
nature of the difficulty we have a diagnosis and a prescription. Or, using the analogy of the b-movie action
hero, we break into a building with guns blazing to destroy the enemy without checking the address, without
asking who the enemy is, or asking why they are the enemy. Nehemiah is careful to collect information about
the area needing to be rebuilt before starting any work.
12
Understand the Undertaking (Nehemiah 2:13-15; Genesis 11:5; 18:21)
God is omniscient. And yet He still inquires (Genesis 3:9; 4:6-9; Job 1:7-8) and investigates. While it may be
interesting conjecture to try and postulate why He does this the fact is that He does. If the All Knowing does
not act without due diligence and inquiry how can we justify starting work without understanding the true
nature of what we are doing? Three questions are being answered as Nehemiah surveys the city and its
broken down walls:
A pastor who has just preached well is more likely to face a power outage. After ministering his gift of teaching he is then apt to do
something stupid. The missionary must be mindful of the enemy as he comes away from a season of serving in the fields. And elders
do well to make sure that they are visiting with God even more than with the sick… or else they will be sick too.
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What is the damage?
What are we doing?
Where are the dangers?
Nehemiah does due diligence before endeavoring to rebuild. In fact, it seems to me that Nehemiah’s resting
has resulted in a recon effort. God had been putting something into his heart while he was traveling and while
he rested in the city. What was it? We cannot be certain but it seems that he was directed to investigate; that
would be so like God. Before God acts He is often seen fact finding:
•
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Genesis 11:5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.
Genesis 18:21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry
against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.
By the grace of God the man of God has acquired a lot of things required for the rebuilding effort (Nehemiah
2:6-8). But his getting is not done. In all his getting he must get an understanding (Proverbs 4:7). And he must
be careful in how he does it.
Understanding is Acquired Undercover (Nehemiah 2:12, 16)
Without pomp and circumstance or a large entourage Nehemiah goes into the city to survey the walls. He
goes under the cover of night with a few men. Knowing that his adversaries are unsettled by (1) the news of
his coming and (2) his intention to rebuild the city (Nehemiah 2:10), Nehemiah decides to keep a low profile;
there is no need for early or unnecessary engagement (John 4:1-3). And rather than recklessly rambling about
what he is thinking he selects a cadre of men to accompany him and tells them nothing about what he is
doing. Love many. Trust few.
Jesus would often go to Jerusalem quietly. Because he feared the Jews? Hardly! He went without
announcement because He did not want His work interrupted by the harassment of spiritual thugs. Nehemiah
knows that God’s grace is upon him for this work. And yet he is careful not to draw unnecessary attention to
himself. The builder cannot put himself in undue peril in hopes that God will deliver him; care must be
exercised (Matthew 4:5-7).
Nehemiah recognizes what is required for building with God. The first is rest and the second is recon. He
quietly gathers quality information about what must be done.
building principle 2 of 4: excellence is never an accident. unqualified success requires a
thorough understanding our undertaking.
Recognizing the Requirement for Relating (Nehemiah 2:17-18)
Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates
are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a
reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the
king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their
hands to this good work.
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The work of rebuilding cannot be done alone. Even Jesus would not try to reach Jerusalem without the aid of
John the Baptist as herald and the disciples as itinerant ministers of the gospel. Wise builders will start
building their team before anything else. Accordingly they must be effective communicators.
Relating that Recruits Requires Identification
What Nehemiah does next is truly remarkable. Notice in verse seventeen (Nehemiah 2:17) the personal
pronouns that he uses when describing the situation: we, us, and we. You should underline these words and
write something in the margin of your Bible about his leadership style; he identifies himself with the people he
leads. Instead of railing on the inhabitants and residents of the nearby region about the poor state of affairs
he uses language indicating that he is with them.
•
•
•
the distress we are in
let us build
that we may no longer be a reproach
By identifying himself with the residents and people from the region he avoids the view that he is
condescending, condemning, or coming in as a despot to direct affairs and take advantage of the people. This
is what Jesus does in Matthew 3:13-17 when he is baptized and John 13 when he washes feet. He makes it
very clear that he is not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11) and that he is a servant leader (Matthew
20:28).
Relating that Recruits Requires Inspiration
And he goes on to inspire them by telling them of the hand of his God which had been good upon him. In
sharing this he shares the unassailable truth of the believer: their testimony. While many may want to argue
about the deity of Christ, the veracity of Scripture, and the origins of man, they cannot dispute your personal
testimony. Nothing carries more weight in witnessing than what God has done for you personally. Further
proof of God’s sovereignty and favor is the fact that a king that had formerly prohibited building in Jerusalem
(Ezra 4:7-24) has now given great support: and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.
In effect he says, “We have the favor of God on us. It has already begun in blessings on my life so that I could
come here equipped for our work. And God has even moved the king, the same one who formerly stopped
construction, to promote our cause.” In relating what God has been doing he stirs up the people. They
respond in unison, “Let us rise up and build.” The So of verse eighteen (Nehemiah 2:18) shows that the
response of the people is a consequence of hearing the words of Nehemiah; it is important for builders who
are recruiting help to recognize the requirement for relating effectively:
building principle 3 of 4: effective recruiting happens when leaders remember the importance of
identification and inspiration.
Recognizing the Requirement for Responding to Ridicule (Nehemiah 2:19-20)
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of
it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you
rebel against the king?” 20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will
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prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or
memorial in Jerusalem.”
The news concerning the arrival, assessment, and agreement of the people has come to the attention of
Israel’s adversaries. Their response is not at all surprising: scoffing, mocking, and ridicule. They laughed at and
despised the ones that had recently committed to the effort. Out of the mouth the heart speaks and these
godless people give voice to their godless meditations: What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel
against the king?
Their questions, motivated by selfish interests6, are aimed and producing fear and making the people doubt
the viability of the endeavor. Satan’s tactics are the same as they were in the garden. It would have succeeded
if the people had started thinking along these lines:
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Doubt God - What are we doing? I mean if we have already been destroyed and scattered why is this
going to succeed.
Doubt Goal – What if the king has not really approved this effort? How are we going to explain this if
he begins to suspect that we are rebels.
But Nehemiah handles it well. He recognizes the importance of when and how to respond to ridicule.
Respond for the Glory of God and the Good of His People
Like a young shepherd boy years before he has a righteous indignation. The words of the adversaries are
blasphemy. In speaking against the people and their goal the critics have spoken evil of God. And that cannot
be tolerated. Remember the zeal of David upon hearing the words of Goliath:
25
So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely
he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king
will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s
house exemption from taxes in Israel.” 26 Then David spoke to the men who stood
by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and
takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine,
that he should defy the armies of the living God?” … 36 Your servant has killed
both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them,
seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17:25-26,36)
He was from his youth a man after God’s heart and nothing angered him more than hearing someone speak
evil of God… or the armies of God. It is for this reason that his ire was kindled and it was for this reason that he
slew the loud mouthed giant. It was personal. Not because his person has been insulted but because the God
Empires, Egos, and Economies – The following excerpt is from The Message of Nehemiah by Raymond Brown: “From a political
perspective, biblical and other evidence suggests that Sanballat’s administrative responsibilities for Samaria may have include
jurisdiction over the greater Jerusalem area. Now, Nehemiah had arrived in the city with the king’s specific authority, and the
Samaritan leader was angry that he had been robbed of his former authority over the Israelite people. . . . Tobiah was one of
Sanballat’s close working colleagues, and he too becomes a persistent adversary. He may have been offended by Nehemiah’s
remarks because of his own (doubtlessly compromised) Israelite roots, possibly arguing that he ought to have been approached
about the rebuilding. . . . Geshem, or Gashme, as he is called later (6:6, margin), an influential Arab who, with his son, ‘gained control
of a confederation of Arabian tribes and established their rule over a wide territory of North Arabia . . . extended their power to the
eastern reaches of Egypt’. . . . he may have feared that Nehemiah’s independent activity ‘might interfere with his lucrative trade in
myrrh and frankincense.”
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he loved was being defamed. It is for this same reason that Jesus goes ballistic in the temple (John 2:15-20).
The religious leaders were messing up the people’s access to God and ruining what was supposed to be a time
of restoration.
Nehemiah knows that he cannot tolerate this type of insult. It is not a pettiness in him that is responding to
personal injury but a passion in him that has embraced his identity. He says in effect, “I am a worshipper and
am called by the name of God Himself (2 Chronicles 7:14; Deuteronomy 28:10; Isaiah 43:7). This accusation
must be answered on the basis that God’s people and efforts are being mocked.”
building principle 4 of 4: enemies get a response only when we are promoting and protecting the
glory of God. He is worthy and this is the work of the worshipper.
Conclusion
Let us take a cue from the message of Nehemiah and recognize the things required for being good builder with
God. Here below the requirements and underlying principles have been listed for our review:
Requirement
Rest
Reconnaissance
Relating
Responding to
Ridicule
Building Principle
Every endeavor in His service requires
energy exceeding our natural capacity. The
power to perform the will of God is found
only in His presence.
Excellence is never and accident.
Unqualified success is the outworking of
understanding the undertaking.
Effective recruiting happens when leaders
remember the importance of identification
and inspiration.
Enemies get a response only when we are
promoting and protecting the glory of God.
He is worthy and this is the work of the
worshipper.
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