Nehemiah did not run ahead of schedule. Being an astute leader, he made sure he had gathered all the facts and was well-apprised of the situation before he spoke to the people. Having had a good grasp of the situation, Nehemiah 2:17-20 described how he challenged the people. He first explained the situation as it was, then encouraged the people to rise and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem with him. Nehemiah assured them that they no longer needed to bear the reproach if they restored the wall of Jerusalem. Without a wall, they would be oppressed. It would not be a secure place for them to seek refuge.
Notice
how Nehemiah issued the challenge. He did not order them to do the job. He included
himself in the challenge by saying, “let us arise and rebuild….” In other
words, he himself was ready to be involved in the work. Though he would have the
right to tell them to get to work done he didn’t. As a wise leader, he knew
that to do it right and the work to succeed, he needed to get the people to buy
into the mission. Nehemiah also wisely included God in his challenge to them. Besides,
he assured them that they also had the approval and blessing of the king.
The
last part of verse 18 shows us how the people responded. It says that “they all
put their hands to the good work.” In
verse 19, we are told that as they started work, they had to face opposition from
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. They were not only accused but also scorned
and despised. These tactics are what our spiritual enemy would also do to us in
our service to God. We will have to face scorns, accusations, and ridicule. But
like Nehemiah, we must also refuse to be cowed. We must stay assured that God’s
hand will be with us to grant us success. And like Nehemiah had encouraged the people, we must also factor
God into our work and refuse to be intimidated. When we buy into the mission and steadfastly
continue in our God’s assigned endeavors, strength will be provided. Success in
God is a foregone conclusion.
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