Nehemiah 2:1-20
2:1 Nehemiah was the king's trusted cup-bearer; he had the ear of the king, Artaxerxes. Even more notably Nehemiah also had the ear of the King of kings, our God. Like Joseph, Genesis 41, Nehemiah had been placed by God into a position where he could help the plight of his people.
2:2 King Artaxerxes observed Nehemiah's sorrowful countenance and inquired about it.
2:3 Nehemiah answered truthfully; he was overcome with despair because his people were not safe.
2:4 Based on Nehemiah's answer, the king asked him what his request was; to Artaxerxes it was obvious that Nehemiah could not continue with his routine as cup-bearer while his people suffered in Jerusalem. God orchestrated a moment where Nehemiah did not actually have to ask for anything, it was offered to him.
2:5 It would have been imprudent, and likely against his character, for Nehemiah not to address the king with deference. Politely, Nehemiah told the king that he would like to be sent to Judah, the place of his family, in order to rebuild it.
2:6 That easily orchestrated is the Lord's will: the king simply asked Nehemiah how long he would need, and when he would return. The situation is ironic; the king allowed Nehemiah to leave and make another kingdom stronger. The king was pleased to send him.
2:7-8 Nehemiah also requested letters for the governors of the region he would be passing through in order to avoid conflict. He also requested access to the king's timber to build the wall and a house for himself.
And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Note that Nehemiah did not say: and the king granted them to me according to his goodness, or his generosity. The king granted Nehemiah every opportunity and material he needed for his purpose according to the good hand of his God upon him. God provided. God swayed the king into Nehemiah's favor. Always pay close attention to preciously Who is parted the sea in your life.
2:9-10 Nehemiah was allowed to pass safely and swiftly through the region beyond the river toward Jerusalem. There were people who did not want to allowed Nehemiah to pass (Sanballat and Tobiah), in fact they were deeply disturbed by it. They wanted the children of Israel to fail. Despite resistance, God arranges for His children to pass safely and swiftly through.
2:11-12 Once arrived in Jerusalem, Nehemiah awoke in the night to privately observe the condition of Jerusalem.
2:13-16 Jesus also had private, night-talks with God. Before announcing his purpose in Jerusalem, Nehemiah looked at the area God had appointed him to. He saw it with his own eyes, he analyzed the work that needed to be done. He learned what he was choosing to take responsibility for. God always either fully prepares or fully provides; He never leaves us to handle life on our own.
Although God had trusted Nehemiah in an important role of leadership, Nehemiah remained humble. He did not charge into Jerusalem with a long, loud speech. He entered quietly, solemnly and with a wholehearted intention to know the problem well before tackling it.
2:17 When he felt fully prepared, Nehemiah spoke of his intention to the leaders within Jerusalem: Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach. Their faithlessness made them a reproach to the people around them, their corruption tarnished the reputation of the faith they were supposed to represent. If Jerusalem could strengthen its faith, its spiritual wall would render it impenetrable.
2:18 Rather boldly, Nehemiah expressed his trust in God's hand over his life. Though it was an extraordinary task ahead of him, Nehemiah was able to solemnly, courageously approach it. God had cleared the path and arranged the circumstances along it to work in his favor. Faith in God supplied Nehemiah with every tool and material he needed, and he confidently explained that to the people around him. Again, we see in scripture how reliance on faith is worthwhile!
2:18 Rather boldly, Nehemiah expressed his trust in God's hand over his life. Though it was an extraordinary task ahead of him, Nehemiah was able to solemnly, courageously approach it. God had cleared the path and arranged the circumstances along it to work in his favor. Faith in God supplied Nehemiah with every tool and material he needed, and he confidently explained that to the people around him. Again, we see in scripture how reliance on faith is worthwhile!
2:19 Predictably, those who did not believe in God laughed at Nehemiah's mission and confidence in its God-divined success. Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried to portray Israel's reconstruction as rebellion against the king. But Israel's restoration was a spiritual matter, one between God and His children. That and those which were in the periphery were not involved.
2:20 Nehemiah remained unshaken in the face of opposition and mockery. Galatians 1:10, For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ. It did not matter if he had the approval of the people around him. It did not matter if he had the support of the people around him. Nehemiah had the approval and the support of God and it was quite enough.
The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build...We should challenge ourselves to conquer each day with the verse above pressing us forward into the places God has prepared for us and prepared us for.
