What Does Nehemiah's Life Teach Us about Following God?

Nehemiah was a heartfelt follower of God, exhibited in his prayer life and in the leadership decisions he made throughout the grand process of rebuilding the Jerusalem walls. God responded to Nehemiah’s genuine and God-fearing leadership with support, success, and direction.

In exile, he served as cupbearer to the king of Persia, Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC). While there, he received news that the remnant of people in Judah had significant problems. The walls and gates of Jerusalem were in grave disrepair. The remnant was having trouble with reconstruction. Nehemiah wept at this and cried out to God. He fasted before the Lord to the extent that Artaxerxes noticed his countenance

Nehemiah offered a prayer “to the God of the heavens” (Nehemiah 2:4b). Then, through an exchange with Artaxerxes, he was released to help his countrymen.

What Period in Israel’s History Did Nehemiah Serve?

Nehemiah was a servant of God after the Babylonian exile. When the Babylonians invaded the kingdom of Israel, they destroyed the first temple of Solomon and relocated many Israelites to Babylon. Various prophets and leaders helped the people at this time—such as Daniel and his friends Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego.

Generations later, the Persian empire defeated the Babylonians and Jerusalem became Persian territory. Under Persian kings, many exiles were allowed to return to their homelands.

The first wave of Jewish captives was released to rebuild the temple. The rebuilding happened under Zerubbabel and is recorded in the book of Ezra. Temple worship was reestablished, and there was great celebration in reestablishing the temple practices and feasts.

But, more work was needed. A leader was needed to motivate people to follow God’s heart and finish Jerusalem’s walls and gates.

What Actions Did Nehemiah Take in Restoring Jerusalem?

Nehemiah teaches us a great deal about effective leadership. He set out the vision for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and encouraged the remnant of people present to take these actions. He prayed before setting his course of action, underlying a life of devotion to and communication with the Lord. He called on a covenant-keeping God, that if God’s people would return to Him and seek to obey His ways, He would restore His people to their land—restored to being the place where God’s name dwells.

Nehemiah praised the Lord before mockers Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. These mockers said Nehemiah and company were rebelling against the king. But Nehemiah cited the highest King, His God, saying:

“The God of the heavens is the one who will grant us success.” (Nehemiah 2:20a)

Nehemiah surveyed what needed to be done and prompted the officials in Jerusalem to do the work. His word was so helpful that the officials responded:

“‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work” (Nehemiah 2:18b).

When trouble from Sanballat and others came against the work of the Lord, Nehemiah stationed people who would be ready to defend the work, and he motivated his builders:

“Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14b)

Nehemiah’s call to bravery was based upon the character of the Lord.

Nehemiah also ensured the people would be ready to worship God in Jerusalem. They were educated on the book of the law. The people listened carefully to the words of the teachers. When the book of the law was read, the congregation stood up in honor and respect. And the translation and meaning, the sense of the words, were described to the people.

In response to the reading, the people wept as they heard of the works of God and understood Israel’s disobedience to God. But Nehemiah encouraged the people:

“Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b)

He encouraged the people to embrace a new day of worship and faithfulness to the Lord. And they were led in a national confession of sin as the people of Jerusalem separated themselves from other countries for purity in their worship of the Lord.

How Did God Show His Faithfulness to Nehemiah?

Notably, throughout the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah asks God to remember the good actions that he had taken, as in Nehemiah 13:31, “Remember me, O my God, for good.” He implored the Lord for His favor. And this greatly pleased the Lord because Nehemiah was intent on maintaining a positive relationship with the Lord. Nehemiah was very heartfelt about all of his decisions. That made God very pleased.

So, God blessed Nehemiah throughout his ministry of rebuilding. He blessed his conversation with Artaxerxes to be released to rebuild; Nehemiah noted that the gracious hand of God was upon him. God blessed Nehemiah’s conversation with the officials of Jerusalem that the walls be rebuilt; he blessed Nehemiah in the face of surrounding nations, frustrating the plot to stall the work of God. When the wall was completed, the surrounding nations were discouraged from opposing Jerusalem:

“All the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by God.” (Nehemiah 6:16b)

Ways that Nehemiah Properly Followed God

Nehemiah prayed to the Lord before he left his station as cupbearer. He prayed that the Lord would forgive the sins of the nation of Israel and restore them from exile. His prayer was humble and acknowledged God’s greatness. He knew that only with God would he find success. But, he also knew that God greatly valued and prized his people—and loved when his people would come to him in repentance and humility. This was the greatest act of Nehemiah because it set him up for a progression of faithfulness in ministry.

One notable action of Nehemiah is that he refused all the food allowance he was owed as governor. He refused to burden the people with taxes that would have allowed him and those working for him to live in grandeur. This greatly pleased the Lord because the heart of the Lord is with those who are downtrodden and disregarded. Treating the lowly well is one way to mirror the heart of God.

When the wall was dedicated, Nehemiah oversaw the gathering of the Levites together so that there could be a celebration of “the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres” (Nehemiah 12:27b).

The walls of Jerusalem were restored under Nehemiah. Jerusalem would have safety and protection from foreign invaders and lands. This was a mighty milestone in the restoration of Jerusalem. Though the second temple was not as great and pronounced, and the people left in Jerusalem were only a remnant, this generation of believers greatly impacted the heart of God. They were determined to separate themselves in deeds and practices from the surrounding nations, once again being a light for God—for any who would believe in Him.

Nehemiah’s life of faithfulness to God was undergirded by prayer, tested by opposition, and cemented with the completion of his mission in a God-honoring fashion. Nehemiah reminds us today to make ourselves holy unto the work of the Lord in our lives and to move forward from past sin with confession, faithfulness, and joy in the Lord for the future.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Marinela Malcheva 

Lianna Davis is author of Keeping the Faith: A Study in Jude and Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss. She is also a contributor to We Evangelicals and Our Mission with Cascade Books. Lianna is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter. You can learn more about her writing at her website.