January 15: Nehemiah 1:1-11
The Circumstances (verses 1-3)
From my first encounter with the writings of Nehemiah I have been fascinated with his leadership, especially with his deep passion and concern for the people of God. He comes on the scene after a series of setbacks in Jerusalem. Around 538 B.C. Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and Zerubbabel led a group back around 536 B.C. To understand the significance of these beginning words of Nehemiah we need to briefly review the historical background.
The situation the liberated captives faced is described in the Open Bible:
Their initial optimism upon returning to their homeland was dampened by the desolation of the land, crop failure, hard work, hostility, and other hardships. They gave up the relative comfort of Babylonian culture to pioneer in a land that seemed unproductive and full of enemies. Finding it easier to stop building than to fight their neighbors (Ezra 4:23-24), the work on the temple ceased in 534 B.C. The pessimism of the people led to spiritual lethargy, and they became preoccupied with their own building projects.
– Open Bible, Introduction to Haggai
To address this situation, God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah in 520 B.C. to challenge the people to rise up and complete the rebuilding of the Temple.
““Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.”
(Haggai 1:2-5, ESV)
They did so and finished rebuilding the Temple in 516 B.C. But the poverty, desolation, and reproach under which the people struggled brought continuing distress. The situation was still prevalent in 445 B.C. when Nehemiah inquired about the conditions in Jerusalem.
APPLICATION
In thinking about theses verses, I realized that, just as Nehemiah had been involved in his life and career (as cupbearer and confidant of the king) and was unaware of the desperate need of God’s people, so, too, I often get caught up with the activities of life and am blind to the needs around me. And like the people in Jerusalem, I often find it easier to retreat to the comfort of the familiar than face the challenges of ministry that often seems “unproductive and full of enemies.” I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep opening my eyes to the needs around me and give me the compassion of Jesus, my Savior.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
(Matthew 9:36, ESV)
The dire circumstances of God’s people fueled the deep concern expressed by Nehemiah in these verses. Great affliction and reproach and no walls to protect or separate the people from danger caused great concern. Are my eyes open to the desperate situation or have I grown comfortable and complacent, seeking to build MY life rather than HIS kingdom? Do I need to consider my ways?
REVDANS 