NEHEMIAH: A Biblical Model For Leaders

(Borrowed and adapted by permission from a set of studies by Will Varner)

Being a leader is an unenviable calling. It appears glamorous and glorious, but it is more often lonely and thankless. The best training for a would-be leader is to observe closely the model of a proven leader. Seeing a leader in good times and bad times teaches far more than a book on leadership theory. These studies seek to examine the lessons which can be learned from the life of Nehemiah, an outstanding leader during difficult times. We will focus on the first 6 chapters of the book since that is where his leadership role is most prominent. We will learn from Nehemiah crucial lessons necessary for leaders and then through reflection and discussion try to apply them to our situation.

Preparing For The Study

Nehemiah was a Jew who had risen to a prominent position in the court of the Persian Emperor Artaxerxes I. As cupbearer, it was his duty to taste the wine from the King's cup before handing  the cup to the king; a personal guarantee that the wine was not poisoned. Almost 150 years before (587 A.D.), the Babylonians had sacked Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah and exiled its citizens. After Babylon fell to the Persians, King Cyrus reversed Babylonian policy and allowed more Jewish groups to return to Jerusalem in 583 A.D. Their first acts were to build and alter and rebuild the temple. Their next concern was to make the city defensible again. Thus, in 445 A.D. Nehemiah came to Jerusalem to complete this task (i.e. to build the city walls).

The account of his leadership role in this venture, recorded in Nehemiah 1-6, forms the basis of our study. Sometime during the week before we meet as a group take 15-20 minutes to read the relevant portion of Nehemiah, the Explanation and the Principles of  Leadership included in the lesson outline. Reflect on the questions for discussion which will be the basis of our meeting time.

Study 1: Read Nehemiah Chapter 1 Explanation: The book opens with Hanani, a kinsman of Nehemiah, coming from distant Jerusalem to see Nehemiah. He brought news of destroyed walls, burned gates, and distress among Jerusalem's inhabitants. The news rocked Nehemiah so much that he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed. His prayer completes the remainder of the chapter. His emotional prayer acknowledged that the Israelites had sinned grievously against the Lord and deserved their punishment. However, he reminded the Lord of His additional promise to restore the fortunes of His people if they returned to Him in heart and action. He concluded his prayer by asking God to grant him favor as he appeared in the presence of Artaxerxes.

Principles of Leadership:

1. A good leader must draw upon strength which is outside of himself.

Nehemiah recognized that he was totally dependent upon the Lord for success. Nine of his prayers are recorded in his book (the longest and most substantial is the one recorded here).

While an unbeliever may still be a good leader, the leader who humbly recognizes his own limitations is more apt to find strength than the proud, self-made man.

Questions for discussion: 

1. How dependent are you on the Lord? How is this displayed in your daily walk? 
2. What would indicate that you would be slipping back into self-dependence?

2. A good leader identifies with those whom he leads.

Nehemiah confessed other people's sins as though they were his own (note the "we" in verse 6-7). While our culture stresses individuality, only leaders who identify with the failings, fears, and triumphs of their people will lead them sensitively and effectively.

Questions for discussion: 

1. How strongly do you identify with the people? What is the evidence of this (look at the evidence in Nehemiah's life!)?  
2. How sensitive are you to their failings, fears, and triumphs? Ask your wife or another leader to help evaluate you.
3. What are some ways you can improve in this area?

4. A good leader assumes responsibility for accomplishing his vision often sacrificing greatly in the process.

By desiring to stand before the king, Nehemiah wanted to become part of the answer to his prayer. "Pray as if everything depended on God, work as if everything depended upon you," is an old saying. Only a person who works in this dependent attitude will find ultimate success in his labors.

Questions for discussion: 

1. Do you have an overall vision for what God desires to accomplish in the church? What is your specific place?
2. What are barriers rising up against your finishing the race?

Study 2: Read Nehemiah Chapters 2-4 at one sitting

Explanation: In a respectful manner Nehemiah placed his request before the king, which resulted in his being sent to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. However, Sanballat and Tobiah, two non-Jewish leaders of the area around Jerusalem, planned resistance to his endeavor. Nehemiah carefully inspected the walls of Jerusalem by night and urged immediate rebuilding. Geshem, an Arab, joined the opposition, and the seeds of difficulty that would be encountered later were planted.

Chapters 3 & 4 delineates the manner in which Nehemiah laid out the work before him (building the wall) be delegating tasks to specific groups. There were all kinds of workers: priests, Levites, Temple servants, goldsmiths, merchants, officials, private citizens, masters, servants, men, and women. Some worked close to their homes while others served in an official capacity. Although some members of the aristocracy avoided the work (3:5), all who did work knew their assigned tasks and accepted responsibility for it.

The result was simply amazing! The work evidently proceeded with enthusiasm and harmony (4:6). Nehemiah had no military power to enforce his directions. His approach was to inspire a desire to work rather than enforce his own wishes. It is important to note that he also inspired others by engaging in the same sweaty, dirty work that everyone else did (4:21, 23).

When rubble got in the way of the work, a roadblock to the plan seemed inevitable. Nehemiah, however, did not evade difficulties or unpleasantness. He stared the rubble in the face and planned in his mind how to shift it. Through his example, hundreds labored, without equipment, harassed by foes, and plagued with setbacks (next lesson), and rebuilt a city wall in52 days (6:15)!

Principles Of Leadership

 1. A good leader carefully surveys the situation beforehand (2:11-16).

While some champion efficiency and organization as the answer to all managerial problems, there are others who recognize that elaborate machinery running without the oil of the Spirit will soon break down. If "organization" is simply defined as "the orderly way to go about a task", Nehemiah certainly was organized ahead of time.

Questions for discussion:

1. What are some ways you can be surveying the situation before developing plans? Be Practical!
2. How are plans developed for the congregation?

2. A good leader motivates people before delegating the work (2:17,18).

Nehemiah's charge to Jerusalem's citizens contented four elements: a sense of identification, and acknowledgment of Jerusalem's plight, and appeal to a specific action, and a personal testimony. "People do not follow programs, but leaders who inspire them!" They act when a leader stirs in them a hope of something greater than themselves: a hope to which they dare to spire!

Questions for discussion: 

1. What elements of motivation in the above statement which Nehemiah used have you used in motivating your flock?
2. What other ways can be used in motivating people? Keep track of how you are using these.

3. A good leader sees work as a "means" of achieving a specific goal.

Good leaders are not workaholics. They work hard without being in bondage to work itself. All work is valued by its necessity in achieving the goal. But good leaders have also learned how to "work through" difficulties and therefore have overcome the tendency to procrastinate as well.

Questions for discussion:

1. Do you by nature tend to err on the side of workaholism or procrastination?
2. What have you done to curb this tendency?

4. A good leader is not frightened by delegating work.

If a leader does not delegate, it is either because he suffers from a need to cling to power (be in control) or he cannot trust others. Thus, needed tasks do not get done, and people who could have carried them out (no matter how imperfectly) grow bored and feel useless. Whereas when the people are mobilized by the vision and seeing their place in it, they often perform far beyond reasonable expectations!

Questions for discussion:

1. What work needs to be done in the church? 
2. What are the resources (people) available? 
3. Are you making maximum use of the resources?
4. By nature would you tend to be slow to delegate because of a desire to be in control, or because you find it difficult to trust others?
5. What are some ways you can hold this tendency in check?

Study 3: Read Nehemiah Chapter 4-5:13 at on sitting (You have already read chapter 4, but we will look at it this time from a the perspective of dealing with conflict).

Explanation: In Chapter 4 we see Nehemiah meeting the challenge of opposition from without. As soon as the work commenced, opposition to the project arose. Sanballat, governor of Samaria to the north, along with other ancient foes of Israel (Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites) renewed their complaints, the first rumblings of which had appeared in 2:9-20. There Nehemiah dealt with their hatred by an unbounded confidence in God. Here they relaunched their hate campaign with mockery and public ridicule (vs.1-3). Then came news of plans for an armed attack by a formidable alliance (vs 7-12).

Nehemiah again responded in prayer (vs 4,5) and channeled his evident anger into a renewal of work. "So we rebuilt the wall...for the people had a mind to work" (v.6). Sanballat's taunts only fueled the determination of the laborers. When the threat of attack was discovered, Nehemiah organized a well-planned defense of each section of the rising wall. Instead of abandoning the project, he met the crisis with renewed building as soon as the immediate danger passed While depending on God, Nehemiah organized a good defense. He kept one eye open for the possible attack, but always kept the other eye on the wall. He did not become intimidated or overcome by fear, nor did he allow those under him to loose heart. He was realistic with them, yet he made them feel a part of the ultimate task.

Principles Of Leadership

1. A good leader never looses sight of his ultimate goal in the face of opposition.

He is adaptable in holding to the goal, yet adjusting to new, unanticipated circumstances. We discussed in our first study what you thought should be the overall goal of the church. By now you should have written that down along with your place in fulfilling that goal.

Questions for discussion:

1. What are some External barriers to accomplishing these goals you believe God has for
   the church?
2. How are you adjusting you methods to meet these barriers while yet holding to the goals?
3. Do you sheep understand the barriers and are they fully enlisted in you plan to overcome them? If not, how can you inform and enlist them?
   
   

Explanation:

In Chapter 5:1-13, we see Nehemiah encountering the most difficult and discouraging problem a leader has to face: opposition from within. There were four such inside difficulties:  

• The people faced a food shortage.
• Some got food by mortgaging their homes and possessions  
• Others borrowed money at huge interest from other Jews  
• To repay some had to sell their children into slavery.

Of course it would be easy for the people to blame these problems on the work of the wall since it took so many away from the fields. The result was that morale had taken such a plunge as to threaten to end work on the wall. Nehemiah's initial response was deep anger (v.6), but after spending time reflecting on the problem (doubtlessly with prayer and humility), he calmed himself and decided on a course of action (v.7). He called a large meeting and outlined a course of action:

1. He confronted those who violated the command of God (Cf.Ex 22:25), appealing to them (11) to leave off such behavior and enlisting them to do God's will.

2. He confronted the tragedy of selling fellow Jews pointing out that such practices was bringing reproach on God who had been merciful to them. (Cf. Lev. 25:47-55) 3. He held out his own personal example of helping those in need, rather than exploiting his position for personal honor or gain! Thus he was not asking them to do something he was not already doing.

3. He appealed to them and expected a positive response would amount to a change in actions.  After enlisting them to do the will of God, he binds this with an oath (13).

Principles Of Leadership:

1. Good leaders handle their emotions by reflection and prayer before taking any unwise action.

How often leaders allow initial anger (or fear) over a situation dictate there response.

The consequences are often destructive, impulsive action which is further compounded by later taking a defensive stance toward the action.

Questions for discussion: 

1. How do you respond when you are angry? Fearful?
2. Look at your past leadership experience. Have these initial emotions ever caused to take destructive action?
3. How could other leaders help you when you face situations where these emotions could cause destructive action?

2. A good leader is willing to confront problem causes rather than allow the problems to infect and destroy the group.

Just as there are leaders which tend to charge foreword rashly, there are others who the emotions of fear or anger will cause them to run and hide. Questions for discussion: 

1. Is this retiring spirit more characteristic of you? What are the indicators that you are retreating?
2. Evaluate the last time you retired from confronting a problem. What were the results? (This is much harder than the above since often you must speculate on what could have happened had you been active rather than passive. Never-the-less, the results are often far more destructive). Have someone else evaluate the results for you as well (Your wife or another leader).

3. A good leader does not settle for promises but transforms resolutions into actions.

Nehemiah sought changes in actions as well as attitudes. He mapped out a strategy for change that involved Willing commitment from those under his authority.

Questions for discussion: 

1. How well do you enlist peoples willing support toward God's plan?
2. What are some ways you can improve your approach to people? (A good thematic study through the gospels looking specifically at how Jesus did this will be rewarding).
   
   

Study 4: Read Nehemiah 6:1-16.

This passages focuses on Nehemiah's response to personal attack.Explanation: When the old enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem (see 2:19), heard that the wall was completed and that the only task remaining was to set the doors in the gates, they again attempted to halt the work. This time, however, they were more subtle. The sole object of their hatred was Nehemiah himself. Whereas, in their previous attacks they had focused on opposing the Jews' entire venture, now they sought to remove Nehemiah from the scene or to discredit his effectiveness as a leader. Their first scheme was an assassination plot (vs 1-4). They invited Nehemiah to a peace conference about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, however, suspected foul play and issued his oft-quoted response. He was involved in a great project and didn't believe that meeting with them was worth halting it (vs3). Their second scheme took the form of slander (vs 5-9). They sent a letter supposedly revealing that Nehemiah was trying to set himself up as a king of the Jews, thus threatening sedition against Artaxerxes. Nehemiah's bold response demonstrated his trust in God and his confidence in his position of strength (vs 8,9). Their third scheme was outright treachery (vs 10-14). They tried to destroy his credibility by luring him into the temple, even hiring a false prophet to issue a message from the Lord to lend authority to the scheme. Nehemiah's discernment was evident when he recognized that no true prophet would ask someone to violate God's law: only true priests were allowed into the sanctuary. Once again he committed the matter to God in prayer(v. 14). Finally after 52 days of steady labor, the walls were completed. The enemies' self confidence dissipated as they saw that the work was done with God's help. Opposing Him, they were fighting a losing battle!

Principles Of Leadership:

1. A good leader is not discouraged by unjust personal attacks.

A leader recognizes that he will not and cannot please everyone. With confidence in God and in his own position, a good leader confidently fends off attacks and continues to move foreword toward the completion of the goal. He is approachable by critics, and does not get caught up in defending himself.

Questions for discussion: 

1. How do you respond to criticism? 
2. Are you approachable? Ask some of the congregation.  
3. Do you ever find yourself becoming defensive when under fire? Why?  
4. Are you secure in you calling? If not what is necessary in order for you to become secure?

2. A Good leader sees a task through to its completion.

So many leaders launch a multitude of projects only to let them fizzle by neglecting to follow up with those assigned to carry out the plans. Those serving under such poor leaders recognize that it does not matter how hard they work since the project will probably never be completed anyway.

Questions for discussion:

1. Are you faithful in following up on people you have assigned projects too? Why?
2. Do you ever find yourself procrastinating? Why?  
3. How can others help you in fulfilling your leadership responsibilities?