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This season has been different.

• Not that it’s been 80˚in October.
• But the odd reality that Washington Football stands atop its division at 5-2. Before the season, I rarely watched games and predicted < 7 wins… which I now must revise as a regular watch and not just hoping but believing double digit wins.
• This comes on the heels of the last 25 years with only 6 winning seasons, and more quarterback changes (30 than losing seasons 19) in last 25 years.
• As a fan, there has been a lot of demoralization with the athletic performance, organizational ineptitude, and worse the low character and losing culture of the team. But this year things are looking up…

This illustration is microscopic compared to Nehemiah’s day. As we’ve studied 350 years of history in 1-2 Kings, we know this season was…

• Time of corrupt politics & evil empires.
• Time of war and ruthless violence.
• Emotional and economic instability.
• Moral apathy and spiritual apostasy. God’s people have drifted far, disobeyed wide, and disparaged the faith with hollow religion… and… substantial hopelessness.
• Israel conquered by Assyria 722BC with ~27K exiled and many more thousands murdered.
• Judah conquered by Babylon 586BC with 3 waves w/ 4,600 people exiled (cf Jer 52:28-30). However, it’s likely only men were counted, so the number could be 2-3x higher (cf 2Ki 24:14). These numbers are less because King Neb only exiled officials and skilled leaders and left many of the common and poor individuals.
• 2 Chronicles 36 ¹⁵ Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. ¹⁶ But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. ¹⁷ So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, ¹⁸ who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. ¹⁹ Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. ²⁰ Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
• Ez, Dan, Lam., Ps… to exiled people, burned city/temple, broken walls.
• 539BC, King Cyrus of Persica conquered Babylon and he issues a decree for Jews to return.  
• 2 Chronicles 36 ²²  Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ²³  “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.’”
• Exiles would return in waves, with a temple being rebuilt by 516BC – the 70year prophecy which prophet Jeremiah spoke. During this time period are books of Hāggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
• 2^nd Temple Judaism lacked the ark of the covenant. God’s presence was withdrawn: a hollow temple with a hopeless people. God’s people remained burdened and broken without a national identity.
• Around 444BC Nehemiah would get a report about his people; and it was far worse than the Daniel Snyder ownership era. God’s people were not only hopeless but defenseless. They were exposed to new enemies ready to attack and devour them.
• Nehemiah would travel 900 miles from Susa, Babylon/Ir@n away to Jerusalem.

EXAMINE         Nehemiah 1-2

•  1-2Sam, 1-2Ki, 1-2 Chron, Ezra-Nehemiah originally a single book.
• These books teach about leadership & rebuilding a nation. I preached Ez-Ne books early 2020, pre-pandemic!  
• Further, Ezra-Nehemiah teach the church today that in order to preserve something old we must persevere in something new. The Israelites wanted to go back to the good-old-days and they put their efforts into reconstructing what was in existence: temple building and city walls. But Israel’s revitalization would be incomplete without the new covenant of Jesus. Their past was important and to be remembered, but they were to look forward by walking by faith in God’s promises.

In order to preserve something old we must persevere in something new.

How can we walk by faith in God’s promises? 3 ways from Nehemiah 1-2.

Listen for holy irritations (Neh 1:1-3).

¹ The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, ² that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. ³ And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

Again, Nehemiah is 900 miles removed from the situation in Jerusalem. It appears he was one of the many Israelite exiles but has worked and merited his way into the king’s court of officials. Nehemiah has conversations with his brother Hanani about their family back home. And the report wasn’t just selfish complaint but holy irritation – painful and perilous happenings: the remnant is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. Essentially, the remnant is face to face with God’s judgment daily.

> Have you ever / when you deal with the daily consequences of your past struggles or sin, it’s demoralizing.

• issues of debt that keep snowballing
• job loss & attempting new employment
• foolish and impulsive words you spoke that keep being brought up as why you aren’t forgiven
• an unintended act or regretted behavior has defined & haunted you every turn & new environment  
• a relationship status from past conflicts or betrayal that you can’t let go and experience freedom

The Israelite’s have an overwhelming feeling of internal shame and external taunts and insults suffered at the hands of their enemies due to their weakened state (cf Jer 24:9).^[1] The border walls are broken down and city gates are in an ash heap, so the citizens are vulnerable to invasion; which happens a couple times during Nehemiah’s rebuilding project.

Overall, Nehemiah is merely listening to the report & heart cry of his people.

We live in a world where people do not value listening to others. People’s schedules do not allow them the liberty of unhurried listening for a heart cry or holy irritation. And so, our relationships suffer, and sometimes individuals suffer their despairing circumstances alone – and that ends up in even more tragic happenings.

Christians, let us ponder the Savior. Jesus was unhurried in His approach with others. He looked others in the eye. He wiped away tears. Jesus received hugs from children and tugs of His garment from the elderly. He was attentive to anyone whom the sovereign God intersected His path. Listening was one of Jesus’ methods of incarnational ministry to reveal the heart of God.  

Illus: In 1816, a young French physician named Rene´ Laennec fashioned a cylinder from a sheet of paper and used it to examine a patient. He discovered that internal sounds could be isolated and amplified through a tube, making examinations less intrusive and easier to interpret. This exciting discovery paved the way for the modern-day version of the stethoscope. Doctors use this instrument daily because they’ve learned that listening well is a powerful tool for healing.

Relationally, listening is equally as powerful for connecting and bringing healing to people. In a society full of people who would rather talk than listen, people are starved for someone who is willing to move into their life as a listener and learner. Imagine a world where followers of Jesus are known for being great listeners and learners, with the courage and willingness to respond with God’s love. Maybe we are just one listening moment away from a meaningful conversation about God with someone who would never darken the doorway of a church. It’s worth listening for, isn’t it?

Jesus received hugs from children and tugs of His garment from the elderly. He was attentive to anyone whom the sovereign God intersected His path. Listening was one of Jesus’ methods of incarnational ministry to reveal the heart of God.   Imagine a world where followers of Jesus are known for being great listeners and learners, with the courage and willingness to respond with God’s love. Maybe we are just one listening moment away from a meaningful conversation about God with someone who would never darken the doorway of a church. It’s worth listening for, isn’t it?

> Listen at home.
> Look for opportunities.

Look for God’s solutions (Neh 1:4-11).

⁴As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. ⁷We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. ⁸Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, ⁹but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ ¹⁰They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. ¹¹O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

After listening, Nehemiah sat down, wept & mourned for days.

Many know the narrative of Nehemiah, and that he’s a man of decisive action and determined conviction – – at the end of the book, he’s pulling people’s hair out bc they won’t listen and follow God’s commands! YET – upon first hearing of the spiritual malaise and physical misery of God’s people, Nehemiah is not angry as much as he’s grieved. He’s stunned – and four months from Chislev to Nisan (2:1), he’s fasting and praying.

My friend, when you receive bad news and you’re considering your response, don’t rush too fast through grief. As humans living in a world of heartbreak and pain, we cannot become numb to sadness and struggles around us. We must allow ourselves to feel – and feel deeply, and not run away from where grief is leading us. The pathway of grief is meant to lead us to the heart of God. So, when hardship or grief arrives unwanted on our doorstep, welcome them in, knowing God will take us on a journey to do something special in and through us.

Further, Nehemiah shows us that looking for God’s solutions involves several actions:

• Trust the God of heaven (vv.4–5). His perspective is higher than our own. He is great and awesome, and knows what to do. He keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who keep commandments, so He will be faithful. Even if it feels dark and impossible; even if God’s timing is not your own, God is working all things together for good.
• Turn from self-solutions & sinful ways (vv.6-10). Nehemiah confessed sins of Israel. He recognized he/they were undeserving of God’s mercy from judgment or grace to bless.
• Transform your focus and faith (v.11). Nehemiah quotes Scripture to God and is committing to honor the Lord not just with his prayers but his participation. He’s willing to take action, and He’s asking God for strength and success.
  > This means we too need to be in God’s word, so that we can hold on to God’s promises and then be ready to act and step out in radical obedience when He calls.

The pathway of grief is meant to lead us to the heart of God. So, when hardship or grief arrives unwanted on our doorstep, welcome them in, knowing God will take us on a journey to do something special in and through us.

Lead with integrity and charity (Neh 1:11b – 2:8).

^1:11 Now I was cupbearer to the king. ^2:1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. ²And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. ³I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” ⁴Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” ⁶And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. ⁷And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, ⁸and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Nehemiah was an Israelite living in a land that was not his home and had conquered his people. Yet, he was cupbearer. At very least, the role was to taste test the food and drink to protect the king from harm. However, it was also a highly trusted and high ranking official, with no small amount of influence: overseeing staff, implementing national strategy and international policy (see Joseph).^[2] This required utmost integrity and trustworthiness of the position, which Nehemiah had with King Artaxerxes. So, while Nehemiah may had been tempted to harm the king, instead his integrity guides his life.

It is often the case that before God will work through us, He works something in us. So, integrity is a trait that cannot be purchased but is the process of becoming who God wants us mature into. God was preparing Nehemiah in the darkness of exile to accomplish a great work. Likewise, in our life, God uses every opportunity of obedience to shape our character and build us up with the skills to meet the settings of our life.  

Integrity is indispensable for our character, our communities, our churches, our laws, govt, elections, media, and our leaders. Yet, our world is tearing apart and eroding trust in every institution.

Proverbs 10:9 “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but one who’s way is crooked will be found out.”

Illus: Soil erosion is a significant issue, especially along coastlines. In the OBX, entire houses are being washed into the ocean due to shrinking shoreline. Some ways engineers attempt to protect against soil erosion is adding new dirt/sand; new ground cover with native plants to develop roots and hold the soil; and build barriers or terraces to protect property. Likewise, we can guard against integrity erosion by allowing God’s word to be planted and rooted in our life, with the boundaries of following His commands.

Pr 13:4 The soul of the dishonest crave but get nothing; while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied”

Nehemiah was not only a person of integrity but charity. He boldly requested the king to resource the protection of the Jews. Nehemiah knew his request could have received rejection or worse, the king’s anger. Yet, he was compelled by compassion. And thankfully, the king granted Nehemiah’s request, and you’ll have to read the entire book for the fascinating account of the relational dynamics of restructuring a community from dysfunction, and rebuilding a nation following its downfall.

*Our church has done missions work in Qüb@ the last couple years. You’ve probably heard recent news about the country’s collapse with a dilapidated electric grid and deteriorated economy. Essentially, communism and dictatorship has left millions of people w/o food, clean water, electricity, transportation, means to care for family, and much more – hope. YET – we see reports from churches who are collecting various food items to prepare meals to serve their communities. Why? Why not save the very little you have today, especially when you don’t know if you’ll be able to replace or gain more the tomorrow or any future next day? No human answer will suffice apart from divine grace.

You see, Nehemiah did not just stop at praying for his fellow citizens in need. He heard the holy irritation, prayed, and then acted. Prayer must include our participation.

> What is something you’ve prayed about but yet to act in faith?

• Physical health but don’t diet or exercise
• Relational harmony but you still bitter/unforgiving
• Mental health & peace but don’t invest spiritually
• Salvation of one but don’t share gospel.
• Church growth but don’t invite or volunteer
• Financial increase but don’t give to God. If God can’t trust with little, how will you be trusted with more?

Whether your aim is to change your life or a nation, it requires devoted spiritual work of prayer and physical work of disciplined actions.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

Like all of us – perhaps many of us in this election season – there are times in Nehemiah’s life that he is afraid. But he allows his faith to inform his fears, not the other way around. Too many are living in fear of “what if” instead of who is above.

In a turning point moment for Nehemiah and fearful citizens, he stations leaders with a sword in one hand and a trowel in another.  

As God’s people, our weapon is God’s truth and our work is planting seeds of gospel grace.

Nehemiah 4:14 “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your family and homes.”

Friends, let’s fight, fight, fight with faith, hope, and love, not pride, fear, and hate.

^[1] W. Brian Aucker, Eric Ortlund, and Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Ezra–Job, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. IV, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), 128.

^[2] Chad Brand et al., eds., “Cupbearer,” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 373.

[3] Adapted from “Suffering” in Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking.