What Are You Hiding

Introduction

Today we are beginning a new 5 part series entitled Helpful Hints for Higher Heights. In this series we will explore the book of Nehemiah.

Today we will focus on chapters 1 & 2 with specific emphasis on chapter 1 verses 1-4 and chapter 2 verses 1-6.

I titled this sermon “What Are You Hiding.” This is not an accusation of dishonesty, but rather, an assertion that we are often unaware of the things that are available in our character and spirit. As a therapist I often help people identify and heal negative or painful things that are hidden in their spirit or character. Today I want us to consider the positive and powerful things that are hidden that we can learn to access and use, with the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Today we are considering Nehemiah who found his calling out of a place that seemed somewhat inconsequential. That is often how we feel. We think, “What can I do? I’m just … me.”

Background

The Book of Nehemiah is named for its principal character. In the postexilic period Nehemiah refortified Jerusalem, established civil authority, and began religious reforms.

Ezra and Nehemiah were one book in the Hebrew Bible until the fifteenth century A.D. The English versions follow the tradition of the Greek church fathers and Latin Old Testament by separating them. In the pre-Christian Greek version of the Old Testament, Ezra and Nehemiah form one book.

Ezra-Nehemiah dates to the latter half of the fifth century B.C., no earlier than 430 B.C.

Dockery, D. S. (Ed.). (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (p. 293). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Holman Bible Handbook Nehemiah

The majority of the book is Nehemiah’s first-person memoirs (1:1–7:73; 12:27–13:31). Ezra’s ministry is reported in the third person (Neh 8:1–12:30). Among the sources used were genealogical records (Neh 7:6–73 and Ezra 2; Neh 12:1–26, especially v. 23), a covenant document (9:38–10:39), and a residency list (11:4–36).

The date of completion for Ezra-Nehemiah is no later than 400 B.C.

Holman Bible Handbook Nehemiah

The chronology of Nehemiah’s ministry in Jerusalem includes two periods of administration. His first tenure covered twelve years (445–433 B.C.; Neh 2:1). He returned for a second term about 430 B.C. (13:6).

Holman Bible Handbook Purpose and Theology

Purpose and Theology

Nehemiah continues the story of the restored community. Whereas The Book of Ezra focuses on the religious restoration of Jerusalem, the Book of Nehemiah describes its political restoration. Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall restored political integrity and muted the threats of intimidation by neighboring adversaries (chaps. 1–7). However, the book does not neglect the Jews’ religious status. The political and religious spheres are inextricably bound together. Therefore another “wall” of protection was the knowledge and observance of God’s law. Ezra and Nehemiah together regulated the exiles’ social and religious life on the basis of the law of Moses (chaps. 5; 8–13).

2. The book continues the theme of worship, which is pervasive in Chronicles and Ezra. The author drew attention to the Levites and priests, who were the first to begin work on the wall (3:1, 17, 22, 28) and were prominently listed among those who repopulated the city (11:10–23; 12:1–26, 29). They functioned in their expected roles as teachers and temple officials (8:7–8; 9:4; 12:27–36, 45–46). The Levites were leaders of Israel’s covenant renewal (9:38; 10:9–13, 28) and won the community’s approval for their service (12:44, 47). Yet they did not escape the need for reformation since their sins were exposed (13:4–11, 28, 30).

3. God is the “God of heaven,” who as Creator of the universe is awesome and great (1:5; 2:4, 20; 4:14; 9:6, 32). The LORD’S sovereignty is seen most clearly in His appointment and protection of Nehemiah, accomplished through the mighty kings of Persia (2:8, 18). He was the guarantor of Nehemiah’s success (2:20), which even his enemies admitted was divinely accomplished (6:16). God frustrated the plots of the Jews’ enemies and was the source for the rallying cry, “Our God will fight for us!” (4:15, 20).

But God is not just awesome in might. He is also depicted as a God of covenant steadfastness who dealt faithfully with Israel on the basis of its election (1:5–7; 9:7–37). He is holy and demands a righteous people, a sanctified priesthood, and a hallowed place of worship (12:30; 13:9, 23–28, 30).

Holman Bible Handbook Purpose and Theology

4. Prayer is the fulcrum that engages God to act in Israel’s behalf. Nehemiah’s prayers sprinkle the narrative with invocations for divine blessing (5:19; 6:9b; 13:14, 22b, 31b) or curses upon wicked opposition (4:4–5; 6:14; 13:29). Prayer matched with levelheaded pragmatism marked Nehemiah’s ways (2:4–5; 4:9). Confession of Israel’s past sin reflected the community’s sense of continuity with past guilt and the continuing need for God’s merciful intervention (1:4–11; 9:5b–37).

5. Scripture engendered the returned exiles’ recommitment to the LORD. The law of Moses, in particular, was the plumb line by which they measured the success of their spiritual rebuilding. The law was read, interpreted, and applied to regulate the community’s life (8:1–18; 9:3). The law convicted (8:9; 9:2–3), incited worship (8:11–18), and generated reform (13:1–3, 17–22a, 23–27).

6. The cooperative work of the remnant was evident in the priests and Levites, rulers, artisans, merchants, and their sons and daughters, who labored side by side to refortify the walls (3:1–32). Their diligence was paralleled by their wits (4:6, 16–18). Intimidation was deflected by the community’s persistence (4:14; 6:13, 19), and their adversaries became fearful of what they said the Jews could not do (4:1–3; 6:16).

7. The book’s report on the community’s stewardship ties together the themes of community, Scripture, and worship. The Jerusalem walls, even in Nehemiah’s day, did not overshadow the temple: “We will not neglect the house of God” (10:39). Thus, the returned exiles swore to fulfill their obligations of service to the house of God through tithes and votive gifts in accordance with the law of Moses (10:32–39; 12:44). The sanctity and perpetuation of temple life were the agenda of Nehemiah’s second term as governor (13:4–13, 30).

Verses

Nehemiah 1:1–4 LEB

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. It happened in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, that I myself was in the citadel in Susa, 2 and one of my brothers, Hanani, came with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped the captivity and about Jerusalem. 3 They replied to me, “The survivors in the province who have survived the captivity are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned in the fire.” 4 When I heard these words, I sat and wept and mourned for days, and I was fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.

Nehemiah 2:1–6 LEB

1 It happened in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I carried the wine and gave it to the king. And I had never been sad before the king. 2 So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad since you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” And I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad when the city of my ancestors’ burial site is ruined and her gates are consumed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of the heavens. 5 Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your presence, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ burial sites, so that I may rebuild it.” 6 With the queen sitting beside him, the king said to me, “How long will your journey be and when will you return?” So it pleased the king and he sent me, and I set for him an appointed time.

Main Thoughts

Important Yet Disposable

I want to explore the role of the cup bearer to the king. The cup bearer had a unique role in the court. The cup bearer Had to have some type of relationship and trust with the king. At the same time, the cup bearer was disposable. He was essentially a human shield against assassination through poison. In the case of Nehemiah, he clearly had a relationship with the king that involve some awareness of Nehemiah’s normal bearing and personality on the part of the king. At the same time, Nehemiah was, by definition, inconsequential in that he could be poison, die, and be replaced immediately. I believe in many ways we find ourselves in similar situations. While we may feel we have important roles we also feel inconsequential and some white disposable. We may feel we have some skills and strengths but at the same time do not feel those are being used as best as possible. I would like to submit however that those strengths and skills have a purpose and that God has a plan to make for use of that. Nehemiah have been in this role as cupbearer while having skills that were being unused.

Opportunity Taken

Nehemiah was given a unique opportunity. He had heard reports about the destruction of Jerusalem. How its walls were destroyed, and its gates were burned. In this day and time that meant that Jerusalem was in capable of maintaining it is identity, its integrity, and its safety. The people living there were incredibly vulnerable and at risk. They were virtually beggars in an indefensible situation. This broke Nehemiah’s heart. When Nehemiah was near the king simply performing his job the king observed Nehemiah’s sadness and inquired about the cause. This presented an opportunity but it was not an opportunity without risk. Despite the risk, Nehemiah was honest with the king about how he was struggling with the condition of Jerusalem. Keep in mind Jerusalem was in this condition because of the actions of the very country for Nehemiah found himself. Nehemiah seized the opportunity and stepped out in faith. We also find ourselves in these situations were opportunity to step out in faith is presented. Do we take that step or do we hide?

Prayer

Prayer plays a significant role in this journey that Nehemiah finds himself on. When he heard about the condition of Jerusalem he prayed then and there that God would see the needs of his people and respond. Nehemiah confessed the sins of the people as well as his own personal sense and he acknowledged that God has been right to bring the downfall of Israel and Jerusalem. But then Nehemiah called God to be true to the covenant if his people would be true to the covenant.

Several months past before Nehemiah was given the opportunity to speak to the King. Nehemiah was fearful and paused to pray Before he responded to the king about his fears for the condition of Jerusalem. The prayer was personal and fueled by anxiety and the king was not aware of his prayer.

Boldness

Once Nehemiah was given permission to return to Jerusalem he then stepped out boldly. In the seventh the first of the second chapter Nehemiah asking to have letters written by the king to the governors of the areas that he would pass through. He also asked for a letter to be written so that he could get timber from the Royal Forest to be used in rebuilding the walls and the gates. These are not small request. And Nehemiah is not a person of significance to be making those request. But he makes them and give God credit for the kings response. In the last part of verse eight Nehemiah says, “the king granted my request for the gracious hand of God was on me.” Nehemiah acted boldly but he did so with the confidence of God’s blessing. Nehemiah is confident because the mission was set on the foundation of prayer and genuine concern for God’s people.

Preparation

The last concept that I think is significant in these first two chapters is Nehemiah’s commitment to preparation. His request to the king was based on knowledge he had gained from a direct report of the condition in Jerusalem. He prayed out of compassion for God’s people and asked that God provide an opportunity to restore Jerusalem. Then when given an opportunity to speak to the king he prayed to be prepared to respond appropriately. Once given permission to return to Jerusalem Nehemiah and then ask for the appropriate documentation to guarantee safe passage. He also had a plan to obtain the resources through the kings order to be able to restore Jerusalem. Once he arrives in Jerusalem he waits three days and then conducts an inspection of the walls and identifies the problems that need to be fixed. Once he has a thorough inventory he presents this to the people and calls them to begin restoring the city walls and gates. He invested time and energy in preparation long before the actual work began.

Conclusion

Nehemiah had a mission in mind. He had that mission in mind from the moment he heard of the condition of Jerusalem. When he heard of the condition of Jerusalem he was not in a position to do anything about it. But he gave the problem to God and acknowledged the role of sin that it led to that condition. Then he patiently waited and seeds for the opportunity when it was offered. He stepped out in boldness. He prepared for away and then he took action.

Where did the strength come from? What skills; what courage; what faith had been hidden in this insignificant cup bearer for all those years? What skills do we have that seem to be hidden in our inconsequential role? What is it that God is ready to use within us if we are willing to have compassion for gods people, to seize the opportunities given, to step out boldly in Faith, and prepare ourselves for the mission God has given us? What are you hiding? God has a mission for you.