|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
We learn a lot about leadership by reading the Book of Nehemiah. Since it’s Nehemiah’s journal, we can read his words and gain insight into an inspiring leadership style.
This book contains 13 chapters of leadership manna. I list below three amazing leadership qualities from Nehemiah:
- How to pray as a leader.
And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments (1:5, ESV).
Leaders can only inspire others when they believe in a great God. I’ve been around too many leaders who squelch great ideas with statements like, “How much will that cost?” or “We’re not ready for that as an organization yet.”
Nehemiah had no resources or organizational structure, yet he led a movement of people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by possessing the only thing necessary for such a great task — friendship with an awesome God.
- He inspired others with vision.
The key section in the entire book begins with Nehemiah inspecting the walls at night. He wanted to know what he was up against, and he quickly realized after examining the walls that the situation was worse than he had thought.
Then he called the leaders of Jerusalem together to give one of the best motivational speeches ever, at the end of which the people cried out. . .
Let us rise up and build! (2:18b)
The speech took two verses (17 and 18) in chapter 2, and I’m now thinking, “Why did I preach lengthy 45-minute sermons?” In these two verses, he said, “You see the trouble that we are in.” Sort of a downer, but Nehemiah quickly countered with, “The hand of God is on me for good.”
Despite the bad news, God’s people respond to leaders with God’s vision.
- He treated his enemies as irritating gnats.
He didn’t give Sanballat’s naysaying a lot of consideration. Why waste the time as Nehemiah simply responds, “The God of heaven will make us prosper” (Look at 2:19-20).
Later, with the work progressing quickly on the walls, Tobiah ridiculed the rebuild by saying, “Yes, what they are building — if a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” But Nehemiah didn’t listen to these discouraging remarks and said, “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads” (See 4:1-6).
When they were almost finished, Nehemiah’s enemies, realizing their naysaying and criticism had no impact, decided to kill Nehemiah. They sent a messenger asking for a conference outside of Jerusalem where they could harm him, but Nehemiah responded, “I am doing a great work and can’t be bothered with you” (see 6:1-4).
Inspired by God’s vision, Nehemiah wasn’t deterred by negativity, ridicule, or threats — but overcame them all by knowing a great and awesome God!
This is Part 6 of my “The OG on the Book of Nehemiah” series.
For the others, check out Interruptions #1439, #1444, #1451, #1457, and #1663.