Page 103 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

Chapter 14: Persevering in the Midst of Disappointments

Connect…

The second law of Thermodynamics says that everything is wearing out or running down. Nothing remains
organized, but everything moves from a state of organization to a state of randomness. While this law certainly
applies to all physical objects in our universe, it also indicates the flow of history. For example, Americans
flocked to churches immediately after 9-11 in the US, where terrorists destroyed the trade towers. It seemed
like millions of people were turning to God. But it was not long before commitments fell apart, and as fast as
they flocked to churches, they departed. It was not long before people had returned to their sinful ways.

As leaders, this certainly is discouraging. When we see revival in our churches, as time passes, the fever ceases,
and the people become lazy in their faith once more. Nehemiah ministered in Jerusalem 12 years after the
great revival and covenants, and he watched Israel become complacent once again. It is a terrible
disappointment to him, but Nehemiah remained strong in his faith and commitments despite their wandering
spiritual condition. He certainly is a role model for those in leadership to emulate.

The Lesson ...

Nehemiah 13:1-31 Persevering in the Midst of Disappointments.

As we now move to the concluding chapter of the book of Nehemiah, we come face-to-face with the
disappointments of a leader. Nehemiah had apparently spent approximately 12 years in Jerusalem. We know
this by looking at the following verses. Nehemiah 2:1 During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King
Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Then in chapter 13, we
read, Nehemiah 13:6 While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to King
Artaxerxes of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his [reign]. It was only later that I asked the king for a
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leave of absence so I could return to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done. (See also
Nehemiah 5:14) You can remember that when Nehemiah originally left Babylon, the King had asked him to
return once the walls were rebuilt. Nehemiah 2:6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me,
“How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the
king to send me. We do not know exactly why Nehemiah asked the King for a leave of absence in chapter 13.
Nehemiah 13:6 … It was only later that I asked the king for leave. Were reports getting back to Nehemiah that
Israel was turning away from God's commandments once again, so Nehemiah asked for a leave of absence? Or
was Nehemiah just concerned for his people and wanted to return to encourage them? We do not know and
can only speculate because the book of Nehemiah does not explain the answer to this question.

However, Nehemiah was extremely disappointed when he returned to Jerusalem. James Montgomery Boice
believes that "this last chapter of Nehemiah is about perseverance; in some ways, it is the most important
chapter in the book." 220 Boice believes, “Perseverance! It is a mark of true leadership." 221 It is evident from this
passage that Nehemiah retained the same zeal that mobilized him to rebuild the walls and to call the Israelites
once again to repentance amid his disappointments. Again, only a dynamic love relationship keeps the leaders
focused on the master’s call and not on his disappointments. It was only a few short years ago when the
Israelites said, Nehemiah 9:38 In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed
document [containing the names of] our leaders, Levites, and priests. This was a written agreement that the
Israelites asked for and signed!
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