Nehemiah was an Old Testament figure known for his leadership, courage, and obedience to God. As the king’s cupbearer, he had a comfortable life in the Persian court. However, upon hearing of the sorry state of Jerusalem, his patriotism was aroused, leading him to rebuild the city’s wall in just 52 days. Nehemiah’s life is a compelling example of faith, resilience, and determination in service to God and country. Here are ten lesson from the life of Nehemiah.
1. PRAYER IS THE BEGINNING OF GREAT THINGS:
The first lesson from the life of Nehemiah is prayer. He started the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding Jerusalem by spending four months in fervent prayer (Nehemiah 1:4-6). Prayer was Nehemiah’s instinctual response to difficult circumstances. In the New Testament, we are reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. Further, in Philippians 4:6, Paul reminds us to pray in every situation. Jesus Himself showed us the importance of prayer in His ministry (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12-13).
2. OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S CALL:
Nehemiah obeyed God’s call to leave his comfortable position in the Persian court to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:4-6). Similarly, Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8). His apostles also left everything to follow Him (Matthew 4:20; Luke 5:11).
3. OVERCOMING FEAR WITH COURAGE:
The third lesson from the life of Nehemiah is courage. He faced considerable opposition from surrounding nations, but God gave him the courage to press on (Nehemiah 4:7-9). In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to trust God, even when facing trials (Romans 8:35; James 1:12). Jesus said that we will face tribulations but we should take heart for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
4. STRONG LEADERSHIP:
Nehemiah demonstrated incredible leadership in rebuilding the wall, overcoming various obstacles along the way (Nehemiah 6:15-16). He focused on the task at hand despite the discouragement. The New Testament outlines several qualifications for a godly leader (1 Timothy 3:1-13), and Jesus provided the perfect example of servant leadership (Matthew 20:25-28).
5. CULTIVATING UNITY:
Nehemiah united the Jewish people to work together to rebuild the wall. He promoted mutual respect and love for each other (Nehemiah 4:16-20). Paul in Ephesians 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Jesus in John 17:21 emphasized the importance of unity in the body of Christ.
6. WORKING HARD:
The sixth lesson from the life of Nehemiah is hard work. He demonstrated dedication, discipline, and determination. He was hardworking and persistent in the rebuilding project (Nehemiah 4:21). Paul commends hard work in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, and the apostles model this value (Acts 20:34).
7. FINANCIAL INTEGRITY:
Nehemiah lived with integrity in financial matters, not burdening the people, unlike his predecessors (Nehemiah 5:15-16). In the New Testament, we find teaching on integrity and honesty in money matters in 1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24.
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8. HUMILITY AND SELFLESSNESS:
Nehemiah demonstrated humility and selflessness. He did not seek recognition but served the people willingly (Nehemiah 5:14-15). In the New Testament, Jesus modeled and taught about humility in Philippians 2:3-8; John 13:14-16.
9. RESPECTING AUTHORITY:
Another lesson from the life of Nehemiah is that he respects authority. Nehemiah respected and honored the king’s authority and prayed for him, securing his support in the rebuilding process (Nehemiah 2:4-5). Romans 13:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17 in the New Testament commands us to submit to and pray for our authorities.
10. PASSION FOR GOD’S WORD:
Nehemiah’s efforts resulted in a spiritual revival among the people, as they gathered to listen and obey God’s word (Nehemiah 8:1-8). The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of the Word in 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 17:11. Jesus himself quotes and lives by the Scriptures (Matthew 4:4).
By examining these lessons from the life of Nehemiah and supporting New Testament passages, we can find inspiration and guidance for our personal walk with Christ. Nehemiah’s example serves to remind us of the strength, courage, and unwavering faith we can display when God calls us to His work.