Topical Bible: Decision: Nehemiah

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Nehemiah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is best known for his decisive leadership in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. His account is primarily found in the Book of Nehemiah, which details his role as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia and his subsequent mission to restore Jerusalem's fortifications. Nehemiah's decisions are marked by prayer, strategic planning, and unwavering faith in God.

Prayerful Decision-Making

Nehemiah's decision-making process is deeply rooted in prayer. Upon hearing the distressing news about the broken walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah's immediate response is to seek God in prayer. Nehemiah 1:4 states, "When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven." This initial act of prayer sets the tone for Nehemiah's leadership, demonstrating his reliance on divine guidance.

Strategic Planning and Action

Nehemiah's decisions are characterized by careful planning and strategic action. After receiving permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah conducts a secret night inspection of the walls to assess the damage (Nehemiah 2:11-15). This inspection allows him to formulate a practical plan for reconstruction. Nehemiah 2:17-18 records his rallying call to the people: "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.'"

Facing Opposition with Resolve

Nehemiah's decisions are tested by opposition from external enemies such as Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Despite their attempts to intimidate and distract him, Nehemiah remains resolute. In Nehemiah 4:14 , he encourages the people, saying, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives and your homes." His decision to arm the workers and station guards demonstrates his practical approach to leadership and his commitment to the safety of his people.

Moral and Social Reforms

Nehemiah's leadership extends beyond physical reconstruction to include moral and social reforms. He addresses the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy, insisting on the cancellation of debts and the return of lands (Nehemiah 5:9-12). His decision to lead by example, refusing to exploit his position for personal gain, is recorded in Nehemiah 5:14-15 : "Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor."

Commitment to Covenant Renewal

Nehemiah's decisions culminate in a commitment to spiritual renewal and covenant faithfulness. After the completion of the wall, he gathers the people for a public reading of the Law by Ezra the scribe (Nehemiah 8:1-8). This event leads to national repentance and a renewed covenant with God, as described in Nehemiah 9:38 : "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, Levites, and priests are affixing their seals to it."

Nehemiah's life exemplifies the power of decisive leadership grounded in faith, prayer, and a commitment to God's purposes. His account continues to inspire those who seek to lead with integrity and courage in the face of challenges.

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Nehemiah 6:11
And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Prophet Nehemiah
... Everything seemed against Nehemiah, but he was a man who had the fire of God in ... The
first thing we read, after the decision had been made to rebuild the walls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

A Reformer's Schooling
... He says nothing about his long brooding, his slow decision, his conflicts with lower ...
of the solid reality of his absolute power over Nehemiah, but simply ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a reformers schooling.htm

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... and in his trusted and well-beloved Jewish friends, Ezra and Nehemiah, he recognized
men ... of Levi failed at a time when the influence of a decision to accompany ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm

The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
... to the fact that each was based upon a divine torah or decision, received from ... next
great stage in the canonization of the law is recorded in Nehemiah 10.Then ...
/.../xiii the formation of the.htm

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
... with regard to the order assigned to Esdras' (ie Ezra and Nehemiah, placed by M ... Synod
at Arles deciding a case affecting Africa, and reviewing the decision of a ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 4 vehicles of revelation.htm

The Tragic Break in the Plan.
... out the choruses of Revelation, the crowning book."the after-captivity leaders,
see Ezra and Nehemiah"ideals and ... formal decision against Him, John 11:47-53 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/3 the tragic break in.htm

The Canon.
... First and Second succeed the Chronicles; Tobit and Judith are between Nehemiah and
Esther ... fixed upon that canon which we now receive, and their decision has not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter xi the canon.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... does not restrain an act by a law, but leaves it to the decision and freedom ... their
design, when they heard that their plots were known to Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

None Greater than John the Baptist, Yet. . .
... prevalent with us; by the ideal we seek to apprehend; by the decision and choice ...
In this he resembles the good Nehemiah, when he refers to the usual practice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xii none greater than john.htm

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ...
... On Nehemiah's second arrival in Palestine, he found matters again in a state ... one
open to the discussion of the learned, the ultimate decision being according ...
/.../chapter viii traditionalism its origin.htm