Nehemiah – Inspect, Inform, Inspire

Nehemiah 2:11–18

With the support of the king and the burning desire in his heart to rebuild the wall, Nehemiah completed the grueling journey from Persia to Jerusalem (about 800 miles). Understandably, he and his companions just rested for three days (vs. 11); no doubt thinking through the task ahead and preparing his plan.

We may rightly wonder whether he had any experience in construction other than, possibly, as a common laborer under the Persians. However, with this sense of divine calling, he is depending on God’s divine guidance. We might remember others whose skills were transformed to meet the task for which the Lord had chosen them: Joseph, the shepherd, became the director of Egypt’s agricultural economy; Moses, the shepherd, became the leader, teacher, and judge in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt; David, the shepherd, rose to become Israel’s greatest king; Elisha and Amos, both farmers, assumed their role as prophets of God; Peter, the fisherman, left his nets to become the leader of the apostles, founder of the church and hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19); Paul, the tent-maker, to become an apostle, church planter, and inspired writer. We can be reminded of the truth that, “Where God calls you, He will lead you; for what He requires of you, He will equip you”.

Initially, Nehemiah kept his mission and calling to himself. Then, one night, with a few men, he quietly circled the city and inspected the damaged wall and gates. We keep in mind that he had never been there before and had only a mental picture from what he had been told. As we read the text, he exited the Valley Gate, travelled around the perimeter of the city, and reentered the Valley Gate. Although it is difficult to find accurate dimensions, most references seem to estimate the distance to be about 4-5 miles. In some places, they could not pass due to the rubble and were forced to detour. All in all, the inspection would likely have taken most of the night.

When he returned to his quarters, Nehemiah could well have said to himself, “What a disaster! This is more than I imagined. Can this be done?” Being the same man we met in Persia, we might here suppose that he spent the remainder of the night, and possibly into the daytime hours, in prayer. He knew very well that he must rely fully on the help of God to accomplish this awesome project.

From the inspection, Nehemiah had discovered the extent of the damage, the critical areas, and the materials necessary to make the repairs. He must now inform the people and gain their support to get the work done.

Within a few days, Nehemiah gathered the officials and workers and presented the mission. “You see the distress we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach” (vs. 2:17). At this point, he may well have detailed the findings of his inspection and unfolded the steps of his plan to complete the task. Although the people knew that the wall had been destroyed and the situation was dreadful, it was important for them to hear the information clearly and realize that success was possible.

Nehemiah then related to them thewhole story – the overthrow of Babylon, his trusted role as cupbearer, the bad report, the burning in his heart, the prayer for God’s guidance, the bold request to the king, and the king’s approval. In it all, he stressed, “how the hand of my God had been good upon me” (vs. 2:18). It must have been an inspiring message which stirred their hearts. No doubt, many of those present had long ago lost any hope of seeing their city emerge from the heap of rubble. Some, who may have thought it possible, could not imagine that a leader would come forth from among them. However, when they heard Nehemiah’s words and perceived the confidence with which he spoke, they were set afire themselves. Upon our reading the text, one can sense the resounding fervor of those people accepting the challenge, “Let us rise up and build” (vs. 2:18).

It appears that their inspiration was translated into action without hesitation. Nehemiah closes the section of his writing by recalling, “Then they set their hands to do this good work” (vs. 2:18). The careful inspection led to honest information which instilled the inspiration.

Before leaving this section of Nehemiah’s writing, let’s take a quick look at our parallel application. That is, building/ repairing the wall and gates in our own personal life.

The initial phase of the work was inspection. Each of us should begin our sacred task by taking a careful and honest examination of the condition of our life. King David sought help from the Lord, “Search me, O God, and know my heart …. And see if there be any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139: 23, 24). Here, we prayerfully look at ourselves, observing the damage that has been inflicted upon our bodies, minds, and souls from our own sins and from other enemies. While many of us are already aware of our brokenness, we now seek the Lord’s help in identifying the specific wreckage and rubble that lies within us.

Once we have assessed the damage, we now (as Nehemiah did) gather ourselves together and inform ourselves of the work to be done. Again, David wrote, “I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3). And yet, in facing our woes and weaknesses, we peer through the shadow of despair and begin to see that there is someone to help us. Someone cares and has come to lead us back to our God-created normal state. We are not alone nor left without hope. Our state of physical and spiritual infirmity can, indeed, be restored.

The One who knows everything about me – good and bad, knows what I have been created to be. He has come to speak the good news of faith, hope, and love. The more I hear His words and the deeper those words fill my mind and heart; something begins to come alive within me. I begin to believe that the wall and gates of my life can be made new. With that inspiration, I say to myself, “Let us rise up and let us build”.                                                                                                                        

Fr. Andrew