Nehemiah: Motivator and Mobilizer

Nehemiah met opposition head-on, giving it no chance to get a foot-hold nor give it any room to grow. His response was swift and direct. He was able to do so because: 

Nehemiah defined his mission. Nehemiah came to repair a wall. “Let us rise up and build” (2:18). When the opposition came casting doubt asking, “what is this thing that you are doing?” (2:19), he was able to answer them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build.” (2:20b)

Nehemiah narrowed his focus. His critics have no heritage, right or memorial in the city (2:20c) but with a defined mission in mind, Nehemiah focused on his target and let nothing distract him from hitting it (3:1-32). Nehemiah’s focus was so narrow that he was able to name those who were rightfully there to support the mission. 

Nehemiah set a guard. Nehemiah protected his workers and their work. (Neh. 4:9-23) Any difficult endeavor tends to weaken just after the half-way mark. Strength was failing and their adversaries were noticing. Nehemiah weaponizes the people according to their families and encourages their renewed vigor, “do not be afraid of them . . . remember the Lord . . . fight . . . the work is great . . . wherever you hear the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” (4:14, 19-20)

Nehemiah disarmed his enemies. (Neh. 5-6). In the sight of growing extortion (4:1-8) Nehemiah simplifies the battlefield by disarming his enemies through swift answers to every distraction with a mission-based response (6:3, 8, 11). He had no time for opposition.

Nehemiah did what others would not. (Neh. 5:8-19) Nehemiah works alongside the people, even giving sacrificially of his own stores and personal wealth to redeems (5:8), provides (5:10), relieves (5:14-15), works alongside (5:16) and shares (5:17-18), all motivated by his love for God (5:15)