Who was Nehemiah in the Bible?
A Jewish exile born far from the land of his fathers, Nehemiah rose to a trusted post in the Persian palace — and then gave it up to rebuild a ruined city. His book is a personal account of grief, prayer, and stubborn work under opposition.
Name and position
Nehemiah appears in history after Ezra, and his name itself carries a message.
Leslie M. GrantNehemiah (his name meaning "comfort of Jehovah") writes the history of his connection with the remnant of the returned captivity. He followed Ezra by about thirteen years in going to Jerusalem, stirred through news he had received of the decayed condition of the city. God gave him favor with Artaxerxes, king of Persia, whose cupbearer he was. He obtained authority to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
The cupbearer's job was no small one: he "presented the cup to the king, and was responsible to see that there was nothing injurious in it" (Morrish Bible Dictionary).
A heart in a city he had never seen
He had comfort and rank in Persia, yet his affections lay elsewhere.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinNehemiah was a young man, born in captivity holding a position of nearness to the great Persian king and living in the beautiful palace of Shushan. He lived in luxuries, and was an honored servant of the king... Though he had never seen Jerusalem, the city of his fathers, he loved Jerusalem... Though he lived in prosperity his heart was with his people. It was bad news which they brought him. The remnant was in great affliction and reproach, the wall of Jerusalem in a broken-down condition, and the gates burned with fire.
Prayer that became a plan
His response to the news was not only sorrow. He asked God for one specific thing, and then volunteered himself.
Leslie M. GrantBut Nehemiah intended to act: he would not only pray and leave it there, nor did he pray that God would send someone to Jerusalem to help the suffering remnant. Since he knew and felt the sorrow of their condition, he considered he was the man to go... Though Artaxerxes was king, yet Nehemiah considered him simply a man in whose heart God could work as easily as in any man.
Four months passed before the opening came. When the king noticed his sad face and asked why, Nehemiah prayed silently before he spoke.
Hamilton SmithAfter four months exercise before God, Nehemiah surely knew what he desired; nevertheless, before expressing his desire, he tells us that he "prayed to God of heaven"... At once Nehemiah recognises that the ready compliance of the king was the result of the good hand of God... It is well to enter a difficulty in a spirit of prayer, and to come out of it in a spirit of praise.
Builder under attack
Once the work started, neighbouring rulers — Sanballat, Tobiah and their allies — moved from mockery to threats of force. Nehemiah's answer had two parts.
H. L. RossierIn v. 9 we learn that in such a case two things were necessary: "We prayed to our God, and set a watch against them day and night". Just so, the first thing is confidence in God alone and dependence upon Him, expressed in prayer... The second thing is vigilance.
Later the enemies tried to lure him away, and a paid adviser urged him to hide in the temple.
T. OliverBut Nehemiah was a man of unswerving purpose... The suggestion was met beautifully in the words "should such a man as I flee to the temple to save his life? I will not go in." Immediately he perceived that the suggestion was not of God and that the enemies had hired the counsellor. In 52 days the wall was rebuilt which is one of the greatest feats in history.
Governor who charged the people nothing
Appointed governor, he had every right to be supported by those he ruled. He refused it.
Leslie M. GrantNehemiah writes that for 12 years neither he nor his brothers accepted provisions that were generally given to governors, though the former governors had required from the people bread and wine and money... But Nehemiah writes that he did not do this "because of the fear of God"... This thorough unselfishness for Christ's sake is beautiful to witness.
Return, reform, and a last prayer
After twelve years he went back to the Persian court. What he found on his second visit to Jerusalem forced a fresh clean-up.
William KellyThe closing chapter brings us down to the time when Nehemiah came again from the Persian court in the two and thirtieth year of the king... Then a fresh effort was made to separate Israel from the strange multitude, the house of God was purged from impurity, the sabbath vindicated, and mixed marriages put an end to.
He ends his book asking God to remember him. Commentators differ on how to read this. Some have judged him too occupied with his own good deeds; others read it differently:
Edward DennettHe was almost alone in the midst of prevailing corruption, and it was only in God that he found his strength and encouragement... At any rate, it is clear that he looked for no recompense from man, and that he was content to leave himself and the recognition of his doings in the hands of God.
Summary
- Comfort — his name means "comfort of Jehovah," and the king's cupbearer became exactly that to a broken remnant.
- Grieved — bad news about a city he had never seen made him weep, fast and pray; his heart was with his people, not his luxuries.
- Sent — he did not pray for God to send someone else; he asked for favour with "this man," the king, and offered himself.
- Guarded — facing conspiracy, he both prayed and set a watch day and night; the wall rose in 52 days.
- Rewarded — he refused the governor's food "because of the fear of God," sought no repayment from people, and left his record with God: "Remember me, O my God, for good."