Leadership Lessons From NehemiahSample

 Day 1: Who was Nehemiah?

The Book of Nehemiah recounts Nehemiah’s role in restoring the political and religious stature of the Jews after 70 years of Babylonian exile. In Jewish history, the Lord fulfills his promise to Abraham by using Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and establish a place for them in Jerusalem. After that, Israel is led by a number of prophets then later a line of kings – first Saul, then David and his descendants. Unfortunately, over time the Jewish people disobey God and are again exiled, this time to Babylon. During this exile, through prophets like Jeremiah, God promises that they'll return to Jerusalem again. 

Nehemiah is actually is the second of two Books (first being the Book of Ezra) that document the fulfillment of God’s promise to return the Israelites to Jerusalem. Historically, these two Books were actually read as one unified Book that documented three distinct journeys back to Jerusalem – one led by Zerubbabel (covered in Ezra - he doesn’t get his own Book) that restores the temple; one led by Ezra that organizes the temple; and one led by Nehemiah (overlapping with Ezra) that restores the city.

Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah are the leaders that God uses to fulfill the promise to return the Jews to Jerusalem. While less dramatic than Moses and Joshua – no parting of the Red Sea or years of wandering in circles in the desert – these three leaders fulfill a similar role in Jewish history.

When we first meet him, Nehemiah is cupbearer to the King. It's important to realize that “cupbearer” is not a 21st century concept. During Nehemiah’s time, kings seized their power, usually by assassinating the current king, and ruled more like modern-day dictators than British monarchs. The cupbearer's job was to eat the king's food and drink his wine to make sure no one had poisoned it. The cupbearer’s vital function put him frequently in close proximity to the king (i.e., every meal), and he often became one of the king’s trusted advisors. The modern-day equivalent might be a hybrid between a Chief of Staff and Director of Security for the king.

While Nehemiah was in his role as cupbearer, his brother came to visit him. When Nehemiah asks him how things are going back in Jerusalem (the Jewish Promised Land), his brother’s answer, which is that Jerusalem is in a sorry state, breaks his heart.

I believe one thing Nehemiah would ask each of us today is: What breaks your heart? The situations and problems in the world that break your heart are often the very things that God wants you to take on.

• When should you start a business? 
• Rearrange your schedule to spend significant time in your kid's school? 
• Move into a smaller apartment to get ready for a mission trip? 

Do it when your heart is broken and you can't imagine doing anything else.

As we wrap up, let me encourage you to spend time praying and asking God to break your heart for an adventure to which He is calling you.