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Weekly Message | August 31st, 2008
Passage: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Key Verse(s): 4
The Bible has both the Old and the New Testament. The Old Testament is based on the history of Israel while the New Testament on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the work of his apostles. The book of Nehemiah is placed in between the books of Ezra and Esther. Some people might falsely assume that the book is written in the middle of Israel’s history. In fact, the book of Nehemiah was written around 420 B.C. during the period of Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament.
Nehemiah’s name means “The Lord comforts” or “the comfort of Jehovah.” What can we expect from studying this book? This book provides God’s comfort for his people. This book may teach us effective leadership that God blesses. This book records practical wisdom on how to implement God’s purpose in this world.
Note: The Assyrians (721 B.C.) destroyed the kingdom of Israel while the Babylonian Army took the people of Judah into captivity (605, 597, 586 B.C.). God promised that his people would return to Jerusalem after 70 years (2Ch 36:21-22; Jer 25:8-11) and this time had come. The return of the exiles began under Cyrus, king of Persia, who conquered Babylon. Zerubbabel (536 B.C.) led the first group and in 516 B.C. he restored the temple. Ezra (457 B.C.) led the group of returnees. He was a priest, Bible teacher, and spiritual leader for the people. Nehemiah led the third group back in 444 B.C.
First, Nehemiah’s concern for Jerusalem (1-3). The start of this story is a simple conversation between Nehemiah and his friend. At this time the ruler of Persia and the world was King Artaxerxes (2:1; 465 to 423 B.C). He wanted to make sure the people returning to Jerusalem still paid taxes and tribute to him. Therefore, he ordered and stopped the work of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem ( Ezra 4:23,24). Through King Artaxerxes, the situation of the exiles turned worse.
Look at verse 1:“The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa…”. Nehemiah lived as an exile in Persia and rose to a privileged position in the government as the king’s cupbearer. In ancient times, kings sometimes were poisoned to death. Therefore, the “cupbearer” position is extremely important for the safety of the king and therefore the cupbearer was a man with tremendous trust and influence. Nehemiah was a man of ability and influence like that of Daniel (Da 1:4,5).
Nehemiah was concerned about his people (the Jewish remnant) and about his homeland (Jerusalem). Nehemiah was not preoccupied with his own work at the palace, however important it might have been. His concern suggests that he ordered his personal life. Nehemiah’s concern is the reflection of the size of his world. His world includes beyond his own family members. His concern included people in Jerusalem—thousand miles away from him.
After my wife and I sent away my two sons to Columbus, OH and Los Angeles, CA, we are concerned about them. We particularly pray for those who care for them. Likewise, as we study the Bible with UT students, we must remember the concern of their parents and the family members. By all means we help students to grow in faith, character and competence. We do all we can to build up positive relationships with their family members.
Our concern reflects our love. Parents concern about their sons and daughters who are far away from their homes. Family members of soldiers stationed in Iraq constantly pay attention to the news about Iraq. Such concern leads us to respond to the situation of the people we love.
Second, Nehemiah’s response and resolve (4). Look at verse 4: “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah was quite sad to hear about the pitiful condition of the people in Jerusalem. So he sat down and wept. This is a natural response to the bad news about his people. Notice what Nehemiah did afterward. He mourned, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. This is not natural reaction but spiritual resolve.
Upon hearing the poor condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was very troubled. For a few days he mourned, fasted and prayed. Nehemiah intentionally focused on this issue. So he stopped regular routines—eating and drinking. Instead, he fasted and prayed to focus his mind on this particular issue. This is the fruit of spiritual disciplines.
Fasting prayer is an important spiritual discipline for focusing our attention and strengthening our resolve. If we really want to resolve some important issue in this life, we first focus on it and deal with them. In this world many people allow their serious issues remain unresolved. Probably, the issues are too big or complex to handle. However, in many cases we fail to respond because we don’t have any real strong resolve.
For the past few years I sensed that Toledo UBF is drifting. We were not growing like having spiritual broken walls around us. Most importantly, key spiritual disciplines were slowly being weakened. Our leaders experience various personal issues which required fortitude and strengths. With the lack of sound spiritual routines, some of us felt too weak to bear the burdens of this life. At this time a few people decided to pray in the early mornings. They had spiritual resolve. I gave a specific prayer topic to pray for twenty four student leaders. We started Student Night meeting once a month. My wife quitted her job to devote in prayer. We experienced a small sign of growth at Purdue International Summer Bible Conference. Three students received baptism. We are praying for twenty one more students. Last Friday John Wilson and Jim Paul presented our expansion plans. Either we respond with shared resolve or do nothing about this.
This is true in the larger level. Issues in this life abound. We may not approach all issues in the same way. Some issues are more important than others. The key to our challenges in life is the strength of our responses—our resolve. American people have to elect the new President. One of the criteria is the extent of resolve to deal with complex issues this nation faces. We must pray and participate in this important political process.
Third, Nehemiah’s prayer (5-11). Nehemiah’s prayer recorded in 1:5-11 suggests key elements of powerful and effective prayer. This shows Nehemiah’s interactions with God. Nehemiah appealed to God of heaven for the practical concern. Prayer is the effective practice of addressing, informing, appealing and involving God in our important decisions in life. God is the most important Person who can actually make difference in what we dare to do—far beyond what we can do.
Now, let’s consider carefully Nehemiah’s prayer. In these short verses five elements of powerful and effective prayer are listed.
(1) Reverence: Properly address to God. Nehemiah addressed the “LORD”. Nehemiah also addressed to “the God of heaven”. God owns all things. He is of heaven. He is in charge of all. Nehemiah addressed the “great and awesome God”. This address shows his deep reverence toward God. Nehemiah revered and honored God when coming into his presence. God is worthy of our worship, honor and respect. Reverence toward God—this is the first element of effective prayer.
(2) Humility: Confess sins and failures. Look at verse 6:“…let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you”. Nehemiah confessed sins of his people including his own. This is humility.
It could be tempting to confess about other people’s sins. Nehemiah confessed the sins of his fathers and his own personal sins. He openly admitted his faults. He did not make light of them either. Instead, he pointed out that they were against God.
According to Leviticus, the people of Israel were to be holy. Nehemiah was acting as an intermediary for these people. He wanted them to receive new life. So, he interceded for them. This required a complete and sincere repentance before God. Because God is holy, there was a danger that he could become furious with the Israelites. It is always necessary to be open and honest.
Look at verse 7: “We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.” Nehemiah recognized that the people had acted wickedly toward God. He cited specific sins of not obeying God through God’s servant Moses. This is the same reason the Israelites were forced to wander in the wilderness (Nu 14:29-31). Therefore, Nehemiah openly admitted this specific and dangerous sin problem.
Expressing our sins and failures to people is not always well-received. However, expressing our sins and failures to God is always well-taken. God opposes the proud and blesses the humble. As we come to God Almighty we do not first brag about ourselves. Rather, we speak about our sins, failures and shortcomings. God does not despise us for such confession of our sins. Rather, God welcomes us in his presence.
(3) Trust: Stand on God’s promises. Look at verses 8 and 9: Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ ” “I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you. Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins.” Nehemiah prayed based on God’s promises (Lev 26:33; Dt 30:4).
Nehemiah remembered the specific words God had given to Moses. He looked at the situation (i.e., captivity in Babylon and Persia) in light of God’s warning. He also remembered that God would gather them and bring them back for his name’s sake. God refines his chosen people through sufferings and trials. God is powerful enough to gather his people even from the farthest place of the world. Nehemiah trusted God and appealed to God based on his promises.
(4) Praise: Honor God for his work. Look at verse 10: “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.” Nehemiah affirms the truth about God’s work in the past. He referred to God’s many deliverances in the history of Israel. God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. This is an amazing expression of God’s strength and mighty hand. From human point of view, the people of Israel were not so great at this time. They were in shame. Yet, Nehemiah recognized God’s work of salvation for the people. So he honored his people before God.
As we pray for one another, our attitude toward one another is important. The right practice is to speak highly about one another before God and before little ones. Two weeks ago Dr. Noah of Philadelphia UBF shared wonderful practices of John and Maria Peace of Ukraine. They raise their three daughters in holy fear and love of God. They do not argue in the presence of their children. They do not speak negatively about the ministry and the fellow Christians. They take regular time-out for each of their children one by one.
This does not mean that Nehemiah did not address negative aspects of his people. He forcefully confronted the people for their sins and failures. Even so, he had too much respect for his people.
(5) Request: Specific prayer topic. Look at verse 11: “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” “But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.” (Deut 9:29). Nehemiah humbly asked God to hear his prayer and the prayers of many of his people. They delight in revering the name of God. But after this he made a very specific request to God.
Nehemiah was asking God’s mercy and grace so that he could face the king soon. Here, today means “these days”. After this prayer he prepared at least three more months. Meeting this king who had stopped the reconstruction work in Jerusalem was quite fearful and challenging. Even so, he decided to do this. He said, “Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” He asked for success and favor in the presence of the king. This was the only thing he truly asked for after speaking with God for many minutes.
Nehemiah’s prayer started with his concern for the people. He translated this concern into spiritual resolve. He came to God with powerful and effective prayer. He revered God, humbled before God, trust his promises, honored his people and asked for specific request out of deep respect for God. This is one of the major life accomplishments of Nehemiah. Like Nehemiah each of us has occasions for prayer. By God’s grace we may be prepared for such challenging moment in life.
August 31, 2008. Toledo UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
