Prepare - Nehemiah 2:1-18 - March 8, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Prepare – March 8, 2009

This is lesson two (2) in our Bible study entitled “Stepping Up to Serve.”

Our scripture is Nehemiah 2:1-8, 11-18.

As mentioned in last week’s lesson, Nehemiah was an ordinary man, placed in the right place at the right time to serve GOD. GOD has a plan for each of HIS children. First, seek the relationship with HIM.

Nehemiah went to GOD, confessed his sins and sought the relationship. He then stepped out in faith to serve GOD as, GOD led him. Nehemiah’s trust, confidence and faith were in GOD’S care and provision based upon his relationship with GOD; this was confirmed by HIS care and provision of delivering his ancestors from Egyptian slavery and leading them to the Promised Land. This was his Bible for that period of time.

In last week’s scripture, Nehemiah prayed for “success for the day.” Believers need to prepare to serve GOD by seeking the relationship or seeking to restore their relationship with GOD, through CHRIST. When a believer’s relationship is right, then he/she is prepared to ask GOD for success for the day as he/she is led by GOD and steps out in faith to serve HIM.

Let’s read Nehemiah 2:1-3:

1 During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year[1] March–April 445 (or 444) b.c. of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why are you[2] Lit Why is your face sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I[3] Lit my face not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

The month of Nisan (NIGH san) bridges the months of March and April. This is four (4) months after Nehemiah heard the report on the deplorable conditions in Jerusalem. So what had Nehemiah been doing for four (4) months? He had been praying. GOD was preparing Nehemiah’s heart so he could serve HIM.

GOD had placed Nehemiah, the cupbearer, in the right job at the right time to give him the opportunity to serve HIM. GOD was equipping him for service. Nehemiah’s step of faith would confirm to him that what was in his heart was from GOD.

When we step out in faith and GOD confirms our step of faith with success, it builds trust and confidence in GOD. This in turn builds a relationship with each other and unity.

Nehemiah had a sad countenance about him, which got the king’s attention. Some Bible scholars think Nehemiah was sad on purpose in order to get the king’s attention, others think it was a natural result of Nehemiah’s concern about the situation in Jerusalem. We know, as mentioned in last week’s study, that a person took his/her life in his/her own hands when seeking to ask the king a question without being summoned to do so by the king.

We see that King Artaxeres (ahr tuh ZUHRK seez) was an observant king. He asked Nehemiah why he was so sad, when he was not sick. This gave Nehemiah the opportunity he needed. GOD provided the opportunity at the right moment; Nehemiah had to be ready with a response.

When we pray and ask for success for the day, we must be ready to seize the moment when the opportunity presents itself. Nehemiah was ready. He responded to the king with a gracious greeting of respect to open the conversation. As mentioned, Nehemiah was very concerned about the king’s reaction when he made his request because years earlier, the king had written a letter ordering the Jews to stop work rebuilding the gates to Jerusalem. He was preparing to request the king to give him permission to lead a delegation to restore Jerusalem. This request would be a direct conflict to the king’s earlier orders.

He does not mention Jerusalem by name but he expressed himself such that the king knew exactly the city he was talking about. He likely did not want to use “rebuild” and “Jerusalem” in the same sentence to provoke a negative reaction from the king.

The way GOD led Nehemiah to word his lead statement gave the king a sense that his genuine concern was for the city for historical reasons and not anti-government reasons. When the king wrote his letter, years earlier, ordering that the rebuilding of the gates in Jerusalem stop, the work stopped and there had been no attempt to sneak to rebuild them. The obedience of the leadership in Jerusalem, likely pleased the king. The recent delegation from Jerusalem had confirmed that the city was in deplorable conditions. Plus Nehemiah had been a trustworthy servant. The king and Nehemiah had built a relationship.

So a lot of positive things had fallen into place.

Let’s read Nehemiah 2:4-8:

4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried,[4] Lit city, the house of the graves of my fathers, so that I may rebuild it.” 6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me. 7 I also said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let me have letters [written]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me [safe]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. passage until I reach Judah. 8 And [let me have]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a letter [written]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress,[5] Neh 7:2 the city wall, and the home where I will live.”[6] Lit enter The king granted my [requests]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , for I was graciously strengthened by my God.[7] Lit for the gracious hand of my God was on me

The king asked Nehemiah “What is your request?” Nehemiah had to be prepared and ready to give a reply. Prayer and preparation is vital in serving GOD.

Notice that Nehemiah prayed before he responded to the king. Praying silently when we are obeying GOD is a good idea. Again, Nehemiah is very courteous to the king. He has a humble spirit.

The queen is there with the king when Nehemiah made his request to rebuild Jerusalem. We are not sure why Nehemiah mentions this fact but she heard what was being said and heard the agreement. She may have agreed with the project and even encouraged the king to agree.

Nehemiah had planned all that he needed to do the job. He needed safe passage just to get to Jerusalem. He needed timber to rebuild the gates, wall and a place to live. The king had to be impressed with how well Nehemiah had planned this project. It revealed Nehemiah’s organizational and communication skills.

Preparation, prayer, courage, opportunity, presentation coupled with the power of GOD equals “success for the day.”

Good ideas coupled with the guidance of GOD equals “success for the day.” Nehemiah knew he was weak but he depended upon the LORD to strengthen him.

The king said YES! To GOD be the GLORY!!!

Let’s read Nehemiah 2:9-10:

9 I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.

The king sent Nehemiah off with protection. Notice when Nehemiah met with the governors in the region they were displeased to know that he had come to help the Israelites. If he had not had the protection then he would have likely had a major problem. GOD equipped and provided for Nehemiah to accomplish the effort. That is why we must be led by GOD when we serve HIM. When we decide on our own what we will do to serve the LORD, then we can face major problems. Even when we are led by GOD, we will encounter major problems but GOD will see us through those problem areas as we look to HIM for continued guidance.

Let’s read Nehemiah 2:11-18:

11 After I arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days, 12 I got up at night and [took]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took[8] Lit animal with me was the one I was riding. 13 I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Serpent’s[9] Or Dragon‘s Well and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.[10] Neh 1:3 14 I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but farther down it became too narrow for my animal to go through. 15 So I went up at night by way of the valley and inspected the wall. Then heading back, I entered through the Valley Gate and returned. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of those who would be doing the work. 17 So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged[11] Lit they put their hands to [do]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. this good work.

Nehemiah was organized. When he arrived at his destination, he waited for three (3) days. He likely met with the officials and city leaders during the three (3) days he was waiting. When a stranger comes to town, those who have been there for awhile know it. Nehemiah was likely getting to know who the leaders were and they in turn were getting to know him.

Nehemiah quietly takes a few men and they go out to survey the situation regarding the project. He checks out the extent of the damage and what would be required. When he was ready, it seems that he called a meeting of the city leaders. He had letters from the king and the king’s escort, so he was coming with authority from the king. This removed a major concern since the last communication the city leaders may have had with the king was to stop any work rebuilding the gates to the city.

Nehemiah gave a testimony of his journey with his GOD and how GOD had confirmed that HE was the ONE leading this rebuilding effort. GOD had provided the materials necessary to do the job through the very king who had ordered the rebuilding to stop years earlier. Since the king had given permission for Nehemiah to be able to obtain the necessary materials this also removed a major obstacle for them to be able to rebuild.

GOD had also provided an escort to give Nehemiah a safe journey to Jerusalem. Being prepared encourages those you need to agree to support a project and then for them to help accomplish the project. Having local leadership support for a project is critical to the success of a project.

Nehemiah referred to “my GOD.” Nehemiah was not on an ego trip but he was serving his GOD, which was the GOD of the Israelites. The people’s part was to take what GOD had provided and rebuild the walls and the gates. Working, together under the leadership of GOD, builds unity with fellow believers and with GOD.

Nehemiah was an effective organizer, communicator and leader. His presentation rallied the people. Notice the pronouns he used when he spoke to the people. Nehemiah did not say, “You have a problem” but he said “we” have a problem. He took ownership of a bad situation. Now “let us” do something about correcting the problem. This must have conveyed a sense of pride in the people to again serve GOD and restore their city to honor the GOD they served.

Notice how Nehemiah referred to GOD as “my GOD.” Nehemiah’s GOD was also their GOD. The GOD Nehemiah served was powerful because HE had already provided in a mighty way what was needed to get them started with the restoration effort. This must have given the people tremendous encouragement and courage because they saw the hand of GOD already at work through Nehemiah. It was not Nehemiah’s project but GOD’S project.

This is why we go to help others who may be struggling to serve GOD near us or in foreign lands. It is tremendous encouragement to them that we are there to help them and to serve, because GOD has led us to them.

Nehemiah must have been pleased when he heard the leaders say “Let us start rebuilding.” Nehemiah did not have to say well hold on a minute we need to find the materials, etc. No, he had it all planned and convinced the people that GOD was the author of this effort. The people caught the vision and saw the need.

Believers need to see the hand of GOD working in the lives of others, as well as, their own lives. Believers are inspired when they see the hand of GOD working both in their lives and the lives of others.

It is vital that believers not forget that Nehemiah began with prayer and confession. Do you want GOD to be a mighty force in your lives? Then seek first the relationship and HE will guide you to a wonderful life of service. When GOD calls HE also provides and equips.