Key Verse: Nehemiah 2:17, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”
Nehemiah went around the city at night and checked the conditions of the city wall (Nehemiah 2:12-16). When he saw the situation there, he became more confident in the mission for which GOD had brought him to Jerusalem. Though Nehemiah had kept in his heart what GOD had spoken to him, he was fully assured when he saw the reality of things. The people’s distress became his distress and it became a part of him. At one point, Nehemiah could no longer hold it within himself, and with GOD’s guidance he goes ahead to execute what GOD had laid on his heart.
The way Nehemiah implored and invited the people to join the work is quite unique. There were three elements his call:
a) Spoke from their Situation: Vs. 17 shows the distress that Nehemiah faced. A leader should be able to address the problem from its root. Nehemiah realized that the problem was not just in rebuilding the walls, but it was in their unity.
b) Invited them to join him: “Come, let us…” (Vs. 17). A leader will be ready to work along with the people. He will be willing to take up the heavy burdens alongside the people.
c) Instilled Hope about their Future: “…we will no longer be in disgrace.” (Vs. 17). He encouraged them, “Come on buddies, if we don’t get up and work together, we will continue in this state of disgrace. Rise up to a state of assured confidence!”
So, Nehemiah encourages the people to do the good work. A leader cannot work by himself, he needs partnership from the people – advancing together for the common good, to reach a common goal.
The work in Jerusalem was more than just with brick and mortar, it was a work done in love and partnership and their common goal was to eliminate the distress, disgrace and reproach they’d been facing. They responded, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.” (Nehemiah 2: 18). When the leader motivates the people, the people in turn start motivating each other. At the same time, the burden on the leader’s heart is transferred to the people, who in turn share the burden with each other, thus dividing it.
Practical Living: If the leader lacks motivation, it is clearly reflected in the people who are in his/her circle of influence. As we’ve discussed earlier, a leader is a man of prayer and his motivation comes from above. Encourage others with the grace of GOD and work together for the expansion of the kingdom of GOD.
