What is evidence of God with you? Health? Wealth?
How would you know if God’s good hand is on you? In a world where we cannot touch or see God, we find ourselves asking where and how God is seen. Also, whose agenda? Success on whose terms?
On the one hand, Nehemiah had the blessing of the king, and this was the secret of his success. Having the blessing of the king though, was not enough to make it entirely smooth sailing. This passage will show us that there were obstacles and opposition that came up against him as he sought the welfare of the people.
Nehemiah will say that he succeeded because God’s hand is on him. What would that look like for you, as you pursue God’s good agenda?
(A) Faithful work and God’s open door (Neh 2:1-2)
The chapter opens with details that serve as a time marker — “in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year” (Neh 2:1). In Nehemiah 1:1, we are told that the book opens in the twentieth year, in the month of Chislev. About 120 days had passed between the chapters. We are also told the name of the king — Artaxerxes.
Why are these details important? It helps us to see that this is not myth and we are in the realm of history. Thus, what is recorded here did happen.
Nehemiah has been weeping and praying for his people and nation (c.f. Neh 1:4-11). This filled his mind the past 4 months. He was recounting God’s promises and praying and pleading on behalf of God’s people.
It is important to understand the emotions of Nehemiah. It is not just a building project. The gates and walls are a visual, spiritual sign that God’s covenant is still true and that God is still at work to ensure that His promises and plan is still secure.
Nehemiah seems to have returned to work as cupbearer to the Persian king. He has a job to serve the king, and it is also important for him to be cheerful when the king requests for wine (when he is in a good mood). Now we do not know why it took 4 months for him to interact with the king, or what their relationship is, for the king seemed to be able to tell that he was plagued with a sadness of heart (Neh 2:2). He brought his whole self to work and the king was able to perceive his answer.
Nehemiah was a good and trusted aide to the king and this is no small matter. He is trusted at work, reliable at work and showed himself to be faithful.
Nehemiah replies the king with a careful constructured answer (Neh 2:3). Nehemiah begins with a customary “Let the king live forever” (Neh 2:3). He is extremely conscious of decorum and did not try to preach at the king or convert him. He begins by acknowledging the moment — no small feat for a Jew. Nehemiah knows that only God lives forever and yet also recognises where he is in the moment.
He answers the king with a question — “Why should not my face be sad” (Neh 2:3). It is only natural that he is sad in the face of something terrible.
The structure is a funnel, and leads to a particular point. Nehemiah has the good sense to draw his listener in. The man who started off very spiritual has thought very hard about what he is doing. He did not act haphazardly. There is an open door that God’s invisible hand has opened — the king’s request for wine, Nehemiah’s time to work, the king’s curiosity, Nehemiah’s response. And now, Nehemiah acts.
(B) Faith prayerfully takes risks as God leads (Neh 2:3-4)
The king asks outrightly what Nehemiah is requesting (Neh 2:4) and Nehemiah, we are told, prayed to the God of heaven. Though he has prayed for 4 months, those long months of prayer empowers him to pray a quick prayer in this moment.
There is so much comfort for us here! We can do the same thing in the moment — pray!
(C) Faith expects great things from God as He meets us (Neh 2:5-10)
Nehemiah begins with two preambles before his ask — “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in your sight” (Neh 2:5a). He recognises that his ask is significant, far more significant than himself! He is not bothered by his own ego or position and takes a great risk. He appeals to his own favour before the king to get the ask across the line.
The king wanted to know how long he will be gone (Neh 2:6). We can see how much the king liked Nehemiah — because of the way Nehemiah asked and also how the king responds.
Nehemiah had favour before his employer because he was a faithful worker who showed up and did his job well. And he was not afraid to use his favour for God’s people. Nehemiah was not just living a life of success, privilege, comfort and luxury. He takes all he has and takes a tremendous risk for the sake of the people.
Nehemiah seems to have thought things through and clearly presented his plan to the king (Neh 2:7-8). He knew that he will encounter opposition and needed the power of the king to ensure his safety in a hostile land. The king also knew that and actually gave more than what he asked for (Neh 2:9).
Nehemiah is clearly going back with intention. He is asking for permission to lead this mission (Neh 2:8b). Later in the book, he refers to himself as “the governor”.
Now, the king could reject him, or give him less than he asks for or even give just enough. But the king gave above and beyond what he asked for! Thus, Nehemiah could say, “the good hand of my God was upon me” (Neh 2:8). Nehemiah knew where his God was and where his God stood. This enabled him to stand secure and take great risks with joy.
This introductory section draws to a close, not with a conclusion but complication. Nehemiah went with officers of the army and horsemen (Neh 2:9) — a significant army. Even with this kind of assurance, we are introduced to opposition in the form of Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite. It displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel (Neh 2:10). Nehemiah is not just talking about the general state of the people but is looking at their state in light of the covenant relationship and promise that God has with them.
Sanballat and Tobiah were opposing the people and in doing so, were opposing the God of the people. God’s agenda is not to pick an individual up and prosper the person. God has always been seeking a people for His possession, that He might be theirs, and they, His. Opposing His people is akin to opposing God. And this is also what God feels about us — He is also committed to us in this way. Think about what happened to Saul on the Damascus road. God’s people and their welfare is where He identifies Himself.
In the next few chapters, we will read of opposition to God’s people, but His good hand is also on His chosen men.
What is your God like? Do you want to be like Nehemiah — used of God?
Is it possible that somewhere in your life, the access and privilege that you have, you have been hoarding for yourself? Or are we to use it, like Nehemiah did, for the sake of the gospel, though it comes with risks? Perhaps it involves us praying and praying, until the moment presents itself for us to move forward with fear, but also by faith, prayerfully. As the missionary William Carey said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Many of us have access point and privilege, but are not willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel. If we do and step forward in this way, and finds out that God meets us, God can use these moments to accomplish great things.
Jesus, who had access to the Father, risked it all for us. He intercedes for us before the Father too. Why will we not do the same?