Please hit "WEBCASTS"
# 10 Nehemiah was a Himpossible Thinker
An Himpossible thinker is someone says, "I can't but God can." "I will not quit when the going gets tough." Nehemiah had the conviction and confidence in God to see him through the project. One reason could be that he was convinced and convicted the hand of God was upon his work. Added to that he believed in the promises of God. As a Himpossible thinker, he was a great encourager and faith builder. When the people faced with opposition and discouragement, he reassured them by instilling hope with positive and faith-building words.
# 11 Nehemiah was People-Oriented.
He identified with the people and also showed them he cared. He was willing to take ownership for the city walls being in ruins and identified with the sins of people in his prayer. Great leaders identify with other’s needs (e.g. Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther and others). They use “we” when things go well, but when things go wrong they use “I”.
When problems arose, he showed he cared for them by encouraging them with positive words and affirming them. He did not allow potential causes of discontent to develop but addressed them. At one point in the rebuilding project, the people were weary and discouraged because of the rubbish pile kept accumulating (4:10-16). The rubbish heap hindered their progress. He directed their thoughts to God (4:14) and regrouped the people and redeployed them at strategic places. Half of them would work the other half did guard duty or rested. When the people saw their leader addressing the problem, were encouraged and hope and courage returned. "People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care." It has been said correctly that "No one is fit to lead his fellows unless he holds their care and well-being to be his prime responsibility, his duty…his privilege" (Arthur Bryant).
（picture from the Internet）
Strategies Used in Times of Crisis[1]
# 12 Nehemiah Practised Leadership by Example.
He was able to motivate and inspire the people to be sacrificial because he "walked the talk" and had proven himself to be one. and the people were loyal to him because he was first loyal to them. Loyalty is a two-way traffic between leadership and followership. He was on the front line with his troop in the rebuilding project - "During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water" (4:23). Nehemiah took his turn at both building and standing guard. His life was an example of serve and sacrifice. The workers though dirty and thirsty worked diligently because they saw their leader leading by example. [2]
In another instance, special food was allotted to him as the leader, but he refused to accept it, unlike his predecessors. He ate from the same rations that were offered to everyone else (5:18).
Nehemiah did not it in a comfortable office and issue orders; rather he was on the job day and night, doing his share of work and taking his share of risks. No leader can do the job alone, and no worker wants to follow an absentee leader...As the king's appointed governor, Nehemiah could have exercised authority and enjoyed all the special privileges his assignment entailed, but he chose not to. He stayed with his workers (4:21-23), dealt personally with the people who were selfishly taking advantage of others (5:1-13) and refused to take special allowances that were rightfully his (5:14-19). Nehemiah willing laid his rights for God's glory and for the good of the suffering people, and God honoured him (Warren Wiersbe 2010: 163).[3]
# 13 Nehemiah was Able to Work with Other Peer leaders.
He was not a Lone Ranger leader in the ministry. He worked with Ezra and there was no rivalry, jealousy or competitive spirit. It is not always easy to work with leaders who are our peers because they can pose a threat. In this case, Ezra was not seen as a threat to Nehemiah. Each recognised his role and calling. One was a scribe and the other a governor.
# 14 Nehemiah's Motivation in Leading Others was Altruistic.
There was no hidden agenda on his part. He did it not do it for selfish reasons. The successful completion of the walls did not benefit him financially nor was there going to be a commendation or promotion. Why was he interested in the rebuilding of the walls?[4] In ancient time, walls meant protection, safety and separation. Without walls to protect them, they were vulnerable to constant attacks. "Nehemiah did not rebuild the walls to glorify the past, but to guarantee the future (Warren Wiersbe 2010: 157; italics his)".[5]
His compelling motivation in leading others to rebuild the city walls was for the "good of the people” and for "glory of God (cf. 1:5-10; 2:3; 5:9). He truly cared for the welfare of the people and the name of God. Nehemiah practised "love people, use things" and not "love things and use people" principle. "When you give with the aim of getting something better in return that is not giving but trading."
（picture from the Internet）
# 15 Nehemiah Had Initiative and also Finishiative!
He started the project and saw it through its completion in 52 days. He led the people to competing the task of rebuilding in spite of opposition, disparaging remarks and difficulties. His motto was, "Aut Coepisse, No Liat Confice" - Accomplish or Do Not Begin. In other words, he had the perseverance quality that says, "I will not quit". As leaders, it is easy to start but not always easy to complete. It is easy to abandon ship and blame others or circumstances when difficulties arise. John Maxwell remarked, "People who achieve great things must possess both the ability to begin –to be self-initiator, and the ability to close - to be able to finish well." [6]
# 16 Nehemiah Maintained Leadership Momentum
He did not rest on his laurels after completing successfully rebuilding the city walls. Nor did he allow his spectacular accomplishment to get into his head. He continued on doing God's work. He did two things after "operation rebuilding" completed. First, in 7:1-3, several people were appointed for specific tasks, and second, in 7:4-73 they recounted the genealogies of those who returned from captivity several years before (Ezra 2). Later on he gathered the people for the reading of the "book of the law of Moses". As we enter the future or a new chapter, leaders must not forget the past.
# 17 Nehemiah Finished Well and Strong.
Not all leaders finish well in the Bible and also in our modern times. Some started well but finished badly or started badly but finished well. There are others who began well, continued badly but ended well. Nevertheless, for Nehemiah, he started well and finished strong. [7]
Learning From Nehemiah
From his life, we learn that he placed top priority in prayer. In embarking on "Operation: Rebuilding", he prepared himself by doing some homework, he planned, prioritised, presented a need/challenge, persuaded the people to work with him, proclaimed God’s favour upon them and persevered till the project was completed successfully.
The life of Nehemiah is a reminder to us that if God can use a lay man he can use anyone of us. As a leader he had accomplished much in his life time. His legacy was the city walls, increasing the population of Jerusalem and correcting social, economic, and religious abuses and reforming the people. His greatest legacy are his memoirs where we can glean important and relevant leadership principles and paradigms.
Nehemiah emerges as a man calm in crisis, vigorous in administration, fearless in danger, courageous in decision, thorough in organization, vigilant against intrigue, disinterested in leadership - an altogether remarkable man. He was humble enough to attribute his success to the goods hand of God upon him (Sanders 1989:122).
As leaders we can either learn from our own experiences or experiences of others like Nehemiah. He has left a rich legacy of successful leadership principles and lessons that have been proven and practical.
[1] Ibid., 600.
[2] Cf. King David and his group of warriors in 2 Sam 23:13-17 ( Cf. I Chron 11:18).
[3] Cf. Luke 22:27and Phil 2:5-13.
[4] The word "wall" is mentioned 32x.
[5] Cf. Deut 7:6 and 14.
[6]John C. Maxwell, The Gift of Leadership (Philippine: Salt and Light Venture, 2005), 65.
[7] J. Robert Clinton and Daniel H. Allen, Focused Leadership (Altedena, CA: Barnabas Publishers, 2003). See pages 147-161- biographical sketch.