Nehemiah the leader, started off as a simple boy who was born and raised in Jerusalem. He grew up in the city which provided a huge wall for shelter from the outside. This was their means to protect the city and keep anything dangerous or negative out. God took care of everyone within the city, but as time went on, they all began to grow very selfish and get comfortable in their ways. Once this epic change begins to happen, it became easy for enemies to break through the walls and tarnish the city he once grew up and loved so much.
After the destruction of the wall, Nehemiah traveled to the city of Susa where he served as a high official under the leadership of King Artaxerxes. One day, Nehemiah had a vision of rebuilding the wall for his people to live again and spoke to the king of this. Artaxerxes was very supportive of his vision, especially since Nehemiah stated it came from God. With the visual coming from God, he granted permission for Nehemiah to travel back home to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Not only did he grant him permission, he also provided troops and money to make sure this project came to life.
Granted, upon him leaving, the King stated how he was his best worker and that he would miss him so, but the word of God spoke and the King of Persia abided. With his journey home, Nehemiah knew this wouldn’t be something completed overnight and was thoroughly immersed in true spirit to complete the job and bring everyone home. Upon returning, he gave direction to what would be done, in the fashion, and order. Knowing enemies were always around and keeping an eye out, he assigned certain roles to keep guard and maintain security as they worked.
Despite much enemy opposition, they were still able to complete the walls and return to true worship! Enemies then began to give up in hopes they would be able to break into the city and get through the walls for they were built by God, and assisted by men. Throughout reading, the leadership that was displayed by Nehemiah was outstanding and encouraging. Compliance leadership was displayed as he had followers that agreed with his vision and stood by his side till the end. These type of groups are appreciated and the end result was the wall being build in much shorter time than they believed.
Nehemiah also had a great influence leadership for his people as they trusted and believed in what he stood for. The influence he also displayed to the king gave him enough understanding to lend troops and money. Nehemiah made sure to keep everyone in the loop with constant communication which is a major key, especially in todays workstyle and society. The abrupt end to the Jerusalem walls was unexpected and extremely ruthless. Upon hearing of the destruction, he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for many days.
Something else he took upon himself as a leader was he confessed to God of the sins committed by himself, his father’s family, and the sins of Israel. That is something he could had kept to himself and only spoke about him, but seeing how his entire city was being affected, he felt the need to get everything out entirely. The king also played a major role with leadership as he noticed how sad Nehemiah was and asked him of what he needed and in response, he simply “prayed to the God heaven” (Nehemiah 2:4) and stated to allow him to go into the city so he can rebuild.
The main antagonist who didn’t believe and doubted Nehemiah the entire time were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Greshem and they’re the ones who were disturbed that he promoted welfare of the Israelites. The roles assigned out for specific gates showed true trust and commitment that they would complete the job without trouble. Once again, communication came into play with this information. Sanballat was hostile and angry because of the news with the wall actually being built after doubting those he saw attempting to construct what was already destroyed.
The amount of hate and doubt they received was amazing, especially because these were people that were lost of Gods love. They were all selfish and didn’t understand the right to bring everything back to what it once was. Coming together as a team, they were able to sit and pray after words and discouraging acts were casted upon them to turn their insults back on their own heads (Nehemiah 4:4). Though all of this was going on, they still continued to build and the people of Ashdod heard of the repairs and plotted a fight against the people of Jerusalem.
With this information being routed to them, they once again prayed and posted guards to meet any trespassers. The jews warned the people of Jerusalem of the wicked plans that could tarnish the goals to finish the work. But, they were very well prepared as they placed guards at the most exposed locations of the walls for protection and assurance none would interfere. They also worked extremely well as they carried material items in one hand and a weapon in other, always being prepared and expecting the unexpected.
This was done furthermore with threats they received while attempting to finish the wall. The leadership expressed in assembling troops to guard walls, pray when those wished bad and talked down upon them, discouraged them from seeing it to the finish, was all a stance of which he probably never expected to intake. He knew what he wanted to do, but along the way he never thought of so much bashing would come about. “Leadership means influencing people to bring about change towards a vision, or desired future, for the organization.
Leaders communicate to share the vision with others, inspire and motivate them to strive towards the vision, and build values and trust that enable effective working relationships and goal accomplish”. Even after the way was completed, Nehemiah did not return to the king until 32 years of Artaxerxes. (Nehemiah 13:6) He wanted to complete God’s service and make sure the wall would withhold after the second rebuilding. He made selfless sacrifices to make sure he helped the people of Jerusalem and displayed love while doing so.
Opposition presented itself in any different shapes and forms, but never strayed the plan to finish the wall. They stayed strong and triumph in the building of the wall. Keep in mind, his position in the kingdom was a cupbearer, granted a very good cupbearer, but he cared more about his people. More acts of true leadership shown here with his unselfish spirit. “And I sent messengers unto the, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? (Nehemiah 6:3).
True dedication was displayed here as he was tempted to stop his work multiple times under scrutiny circumstances. Also being a man of God, he was a fearless praying man, a man of prayer as some would call it to which others would follow in his steps. God loves a desirable prayer, which is a leadership trait seeing how he came to God instead of following others first who would possibly come to him when it’s too late. He knew what needed to be done, but knew he couldn’t do it alone.
The benefit of Nehemiah’s organized plan helped the project become completed in 52 days with the good hand of God’s grace and wisdom. “We find good judgement exercised, each in front of his own house” (Nehemiah 3:28) This organizational leadership pushed and kept everyone motivated until the very end which also led the people to becoming closer and more prayerful.
Nehemiah also stood for what he believed was right, no matter the circumstances or the trials faced against him. Some of his people were selling themselves into slavery which was unacceptable to him, and he scolds them because of it. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? Or shall they be sold unto us? Then held their peace and found nothing to answer.
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? Nehemiah 5:7-9) This faithful leadership is something you can find in work, school, communities, or in Church. To uplift each other in the midst of advisory while staying steadfast and humble not only builds character, but also builds followers to see your vision. With his vision, and with the help of God, he knew this could be completed, just didn’t have a timeframe and gave up a life of royalty to return to nothing and build from scratch.
He understood what he was doing, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 9:18) and he was quick to make ends meet with whatever he had. Much deception, hate, and possibility of sabotaging the walls were always made available because of what became of the city after he left. This, in an effort to bring everything back together, is the upmost leadership anyone can display for someone other than themselves. Knowing God’s word and the promises in it is what guided him to be a leader and he understood the word of God very well. He knew if the people were obedient, God would bring them back to the place he had chosen his name to be honored.
The Jews he leaded never backed down, even with much worry in their eyes on being apart of the weak side of the wall. Assigning troops there to guard and protect until they were able to secure the walls to their satisfaction. He could have easily just prayed to God for his hand and favor, took the money from the king, and left elsewhere to start a new life which would come back around, but the imitative he took to complete with only the love he had for the city was astonishing. He wanted to end the disgrace of the city he once knew and loved so much, but had become so corrupted and hard headed against the word of God.
They were all vulnerable with out the protection, and didn’t have the slighted idea of where to turn and go for help until their leader arrived. He was prepared and ready at all times and never broke the promise that he made to God. This was a team effort that was performed under the watchful eye of God, and made sure to include himself to lead by example and not just make it seem as if everyone was working hard for his benefit to shine after the work was done. This was a godly leader who only needed strength, direction, and prayer that allowed his steps to be guided in the most righteous of ways.
Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes! ” (Nehemiah 4:14) He was very outspoken of the Lord and wanted them to know of the hope that was to come! This was a man who lived his existence to help others and never regretted a single thing he did. Any injustice saw, he spoke on it and confronted using his leadership position to get authority and right them of their wrong doing. Though so much was going on around him, he knew to stay focused and never let anything break it apart.
