HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP The Matter at Hand Survey of Nehemiah LET’S BEGIN HERE Quotable In his roles as cupbearer, builder, and governor, Nehemiah exemplified the qualities of a wise, godly leader. Regardless the extent of our own realms of leadership or the skills and experiences we bring to the table, we can learn Leaders, from Nehemiah’s example as we examine our own character and God-given are you building place in life. Like the bricks and mortar of a solid, ancient city wall, the bricks of excellent leadership must be placed on a foundation of God’s Word and with the twigs godly character with the mortar of faith and fortitude. of worldly strategies or the LET’S DIG DEEPER solid rock of 1. Historical Setting of Nehemiah (2 Chronicles 36:18 – 23) God’s Word? In order to fully appreciate Nehemiah’s leadership, we need to understand the historical situation during which God called him to his task. — Charles R. Swindoll All Jewish history flows down from Abraham, whom God promised to make into a great nation which would bless the world from their own land (Genesis 12:1 – 3). During Solomon’s reign, his moral compromises became so great that God finally judged him (1 Kings 11:11 – 12). In 931 BC, the ten northern tribes revolted and formed their own nation, Israel. The two remaining tribes in the south bore the name of Judah. The corrupt leadership of the northern kingdom embraced pagan idolatry for the next two centuries, and in 722 BC God removed this corrupt branch of Abraham’s offspring, using the Assyrians as His tool of judgment. In the south, Judah had a number of wise, godly leaders who launched several revivals among the people, rebuilding the crumbling leadership of predecessors and returning the people to the Lord and His Law. However, the kings of Judah eventually turned away from the Lord, and from 606 to 586 BC, God used the Babylonians to discipline His people. Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, including the temple and the city walls (2 Chronicles 36:17 – 20). After an appointed time of seventy years, God shifted the balance of world power from the Babylonians to the Persians and Medes. He then prompted King Cyrus, and later Artaxerxes, to allow the Jews to return home and to pick up the pieces of their ravaged lives and land (2 Chronicles 36:22 – 23; Ezra 7:11 – 13). The first band of returnees, led by Zerubbabel in 536 BC, www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM01 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP The Matter at Hand Survey of Nehemiah focused on rebuilding the temple. The second band, led by Ezra in 457 BC, focused on rebuilding the spiritual lives of the people. Finally, in 444 BC, Nehemiah returned to rebuild the walls needed to protect the remnant of Israel from the outside forces bent on destroying them. 2. Nehemiah the Man (Survey of Nehemiah) Nehemiah’s leadership revealed itself in three successive roles he played: cupbearer, builder, and governor. Each position adds an important element of perspective on his leadership qualities and reveals that solid, godly principles of leadership are applicable regardless of one’s position. First, Nehemiah served as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia (Nehemiah 1:11). This high office placed Nehemiah in an unparalleled position of continual and personal access to the king. During this time of service, Nehemiah received devastating news concerning Jerusalem’s broken walls (1:1 – 3). Instead of taking advantage of his place in the presence of the king, however, Nehemiah took his heartfelt petition for the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the King of Kings in prayer (1:4 – 11). Second, Nehemiah served as a builder. Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, he set to work. He inspected the broken-down wall, formed a strategy for reconstruction (2:11 – 15), and presented his plans to the people (2:17 – 18). Chapters 3 through 5 describe the work they carried out in spite of great odds, obstacles, and enemies. But eventually the people’s prayers, planning, and perseverance resulted in a strong defensive wall. Third, Nehemiah laid his hard hat aside and took up the keys to the city as its governor (5:14). As his first official task, Nehemiah commissioned spiritual men to occupy places of authority in the city (7:1 – 2). He also reestablished the practicing of God’s laws and purified the people from harmful foreign influences (13:30). www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM01 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP The Matter at Hand Survey of Nehemiah Invasion by Assyria ISRAEL in 722 BC Northern kingdom End of kingdom 10 tribes Capital: Samaria UNITED Kingdom divided KINGDOM over issue of Exiles Return (1043–931 BC) taxation in 931 BC to Jerusalem Kings: Saul, David, Under Zerubbabel Solomon in 536 BC (Ezra 1–6) Invasion by Babylonia Under Ezra JUDAH in 606 BC in 457 BC Southern kingdom 70-year (Ezra 7–10) 2 tribes captivity Capital: Jerusalem Under Nehemiah in 444 BC (Neh. 1–2) © 1974, 1982, 1990, 2016 Charles R. Swindoll. All rights reserved. DOORWAY TO HISTORY The Cupbearer In ancient royal palaces, the cupbearer was far more than just a robed servant, butler, or slave. He was entrusted with the responsibility of tasting the king’s food and drink to make sure it was not poisoned. In such an important, self-sacrificing role, the cupbearer often enjoyed great trust and confidence in the Near Eastern royal courts. One writer notes that the cupbearer “in ancient oriental courts was always a person of rank and importance. From the confidential nature of his duties and his frequent access to the royal presence, he possessed great influence.” 1 LET’S LIVE IT If your personal walls of spiritual discipline are in need of repair, take a moment now to apply some of the principles Nehemiah’s life offers. 1. Concern for Character. Develop a genuine concern for the condition of the walls. The work to restore the walls of Jerusalem didn’t start when the people began laying bricks. It began as a burden in one man’s heart. Like Nehemiah, we must have a genuine concern for the condition of the walls in our own lives. www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM01 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP The Matter at Hand Survey of Nehemiah 2. Foundation of Prayer. Express direct prayer for guidance and protection. Before he ever began to rebuild the wall, Nehemiah started working on it from eight hundred miles away — in prayer before the Lord. For many of us, prayer is too often an afterthought. Get in the habit of acting on your burdens only after you have given them a firm foundation of prayer. 3. Spirit of Determination. Face the situation honestly and with determination until the task is finished. When Nehemiah met with the people of Jerusalem, he didn’t attempt to gloss over the true condition of the walls. Likewise, without an honest appraisal of our own spiritual condition, we will always run out of determination and motivation before the gaps are filled. 4. Attitude of Humility. Recognize that we cannot correct the condition by ourselves. Our natural tendency is to retreat alone into a spiritual wilderness. But only when we are willing to live in dependence upon God and in humility toward others will we have the power to erect the spiritual fortification we need for protection and for fulfilling the roles of leadership God has given to us. If an enemy were to attack your spiritual walls, which of these four principles would show the most weakness and neglect? Why? ENDNOTE 1. “Cupbearer,” in The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, rev. and updated ed., ed. Merrill F. Unger (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988), 267. www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM01 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP The Matter at Hand Survey of Nehemiah Tools for Digging Deeper Hand Me Another Brick Hand Me Another Brick Courageous Leadership by Charles R. Swindoll by Charles R. Swindoll and in a Corrupt World compact disc series Insight for Living Ministries by Insight for Living Ministries softcover Bible Companion softcover book For these and related resources, visit www.insightworld.org/store or call USA 1-800-772-8888 • AUSTRALIA +61 3 9762 6613 • CANADA 1-800-663-7639 • UK +44 1306 640156 www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM01 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP A Leader — From the Knees Up! Nehemiah 1:1 – 11 LET’S BEGIN HERE Quotable Few Old Testament characters surpass Nehemiah in the potency of their leadership. God used him to motivate and direct a relatively small group of people in building a wall around the city of Jerusalem and then to establish a Do you have godly government. Nehemiah discovered Jerusalem’s desperate need and then a problem brought it before God in prayer. It is highly significant that the first place we find this great leader is on his knees. Leadership requires prayer. with people? It probably won’t LET’S DIG DEEPER get resolved until 1. Orientation (Nehemiah 1:1, 11) you take it to Without fanfare, Nehemiah identified himself as the book’s author and later God in prayer. as King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:1, 11). In this trusted position, Nehemiah acted as a protective screen between the public and the king. — Charles R. Swindoll In addition, we are told that the action starts in the month of Chislev, or December, in the “twentieth year” of the king’s reign, about 444 BC. We’re also told that Nehemiah was in Susa, the capital of Persia as well as much of the civilized ancient world at that time. In this setting, Nehemiah lived out his normal, day-to-day routine. But it was all about to change. 2. Situation (Nehemiah 1:2 – 3) Nehemiah may have lived in the Persian capital, but the capital of his heart was Jerusalem. One day, witnesses from Jerusalem relayed that the people in Nehemiah’s homeland were in a calamitous, miserable, and depressing situation (Nehemiah 1:2 – 3). They suffered criticism and harassment from their enemies, lived in constant fear of attack, and — like the crumbled wall that surrounded them — their spiritual lives were in ruins. www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM02 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP A Leader — From the Knees Up! Nehemiah 1:1 – 11 3. Reaction (Nehemiah 1:4 – 11) Nehemiah’s reactions were neither negative nor critical. As a great leader, Nehemiah responded to the needs of Jerusalem and its people with clear recognition, personal concern, an appeal to God, and availability. First, Nehemiah clearly recognized the need. The beginnings of this theme are barely audible in the simple opening line: “When I heard these words” (Nehemiah 1:4). Although he worked in a palace, Nehemiah did not allow his heart or mind the luxury of ivory-tower preoccupations. He was not afraid to see the real problems, especially when it came to hearing about the needs of those closest to his heart. Second, Nehemiah was personally concerned with the need. The low, melodious tones of recognition suddenly gave way to the thunderous volume of remorse: “I sat down and wept and mourned for days” (1:4). The rhythm of intense sorrow boomed and a steady shower of intense feelings ensued: “I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (1:4). Nehemiah allowed the anguish and misery of his people to pierce his heart. And from that wound, Nehemiah’s mourning for his people along with his passion were poured out in sonorous refrain before the Lord. Third, Nehemiah brought the need to God first. The third theme picks up on the final sweeping crescendo of verse 4: “I was . . . praying before the God of heaven.” His heartfelt petition is recorded in verses 5 – 11, and here Nehemiah displayed the essence of his leadership. He resisted the normal temptation to pick up the conductor’s baton and orchestrate the reparation of the wall himself. Instead, he fell on his knees, beseeching the One whose place it is to conduct all the affairs of humanity and to meld their efforts into one harmonious plan. Fourth, Nehemiah was available to meet the need. With this final theme, the overture of leadership reaches its finale. Amid the climactic strains of Nehemiah’s petition (1:11), an essential leadership quality emerges — availability. But in order to be available to meet the need of rebuilding the wall, Nehemiah had to overcome a hurdle: King Artaxerxes. This brings us back to the opening premise of our study — the primary importance of prayer in leadership. For as we will see in the next lesson, only God has the power to mold and move the heart of a king. www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM02 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP A Leader — From the Knees Up! Nehemiah 1:1 – 11 A CLOSER LOOK Acting from Our Knees The wall around Jerusalem lay in ruins . . . and God wanted that wall rebuilt. Nehemiah served as a cupbearer to a Persian king. Hearing of his city’s plight, Nehemiah responded not only in action but also in prayer. All of us who follow God’s leading must place a high priority on prayer. Prayer makes us wait and forces us to leave the situation with God. Prayer clears our vision because it helps us view the situation through God’s eyes. Prayer quiets our hearts because it is God’s method for removing our worries. Prayer replaces angst with peace. Knees don’t knock when we kneel on them! Prayer activates our faith, because after spending time with the Father, we are more prone to trust Him. God delights in accomplishing what we cannot pull off alone. LET’S LIVE IT Our study of Nehemiah 1 leaves us with at least four reasons why prayer is not only important but vital in leadership. First, it makes us wait. We can’t earnestly pray and at the same time rush ahead of God with rash actions. Prayer forces us to take a breath, adjust our attitudes before the Lord, then act. Second, prayer clears our vision. It enables us to see the situation through God’s eyes and not our own. Third, prayer quiets our hearts. We cannot continue to worry and pray at the same time. One will snuff out the other, depending on which one we choose. Fourth, prayer activates our faith. And with that faith comes an attitude of hope and peace that replaces the petty and critical attitude that is evident when we haven’t spent time in prayer. Great leadership begins with heartfelt, genuine submission to the headship of the Divine Leader. We express this submission by offering to God in prayer all our worries, concerns, challenges, hopes, and disappointments. What is the single most pressing concern you are facing today in relation to your realms of leadership and those who follow you? Are you struggling with the temptation to worry about this issue? Why, or why not? www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM02 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP A Leader — From the Knees Up! Nehemiah 1:1 – 11 Tools for Digging Deeper Hand Me Another Brick Hand Me Another Brick Courageous Leadership by Charles R. Swindoll by Charles R. Swindoll and in a Corrupt World compact disc series Insight for Living Ministries by Insight for Living Ministries softcover Bible Companion softcover book For these and related resources, visit www.insightworld.org/store or call USA 1-800-772-8888 • AUSTRALIA +61 3 9762 6613 • CANADA 1-800-663-7639 • UK +44 1306 640156 www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM02 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application HAND ME ANOTHER BRICK: TIMELESS LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP Preparation for a Tough Job Nehemiah 2:1 – 11 LET’S BEGIN HERE Quotable While carrying his great burden for the people and conditions in Jerusalem, Nehemiah began the tough job of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem . . . by getting on his knees in prayer. He asked God for compassion and Praying and understanding to come to the heart of King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:3 – 4, 11). waiting go In the second chapter of Nehemiah, we see God’s gracious answer to Nehemiah’s prayer, an illustration of Proverbs 21:1, giving us insight into how hand in hand. we should handle a difficult boss or authority figure today. You haven’t really learned to LET’S DIG DEEPER pray until you’ve 1. A Principle from Proverbs (Proverbs 21:1) learned to wait. In the last message, one banner of truth waved high above all others: the banner of prayer. Nehemiah learned firsthand the power of prayer to persuade — Charles R. Swindoll others. When he faced a boss who seemed impossibly immobile, he applied this timeless principle from Scripture. The first half of Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord.” The word channels refers to canals or irrigation ditches that run in various directions from a main source of water. The writer says that the king’s heart — the center of his will, intellect, and emotions, the place where all decisions are made — is under God’s sovereign control. The second half of this proverb comes in the form of a declaration: “He turns it wherever He wishes.” Whether or not the person in charge is a believer, whether he or she consciously submits to the commands of God or shakes a fist in rebellion against Him, the sovereign God ultimately determines the direction in which the decisions of his or her heart will flow. This verse from Proverbs 21 forms a perfect prologue to the drama in Nehemiah 2. Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to a dictator infamous for his rigid and stubborn will — a tough boss! The distressing news of Jerusalem’s defenseless position raised in Nehemiah an urgent desire to rebuild his city’s walls. He knew Artaxerxes was unlikely to give him leave. So he did the only thing he could do. He started praying. www.insight.org | www.insightworld.org Original outline copyright © 1974 and Message Mate copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. MM03 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application