Page 105 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

• 13:11 I rebuked the officials
• 13:17 I rebuked the nobles
• 13:25 I rebuked them

In the book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader, one complete chapter is given on the use of Power and Wise
Boundaries. The author teaches us that “power is the capacity to influence.” 222 In the context of this passage,
both Eliashib the priest (v. 4) and the officials (v. 11) had the power to influence. Everyone has an influence,
which means that everyone is powerful. We can choose to use that power well or poorly, for good or for ill.
Scazzero teaches that “navigating the issue of power is a true test of both character and leadership… Silence
leads to consequences and significant harm, potentially wiping out a lifetime of good works and undermining
our ministries for years to come.” 223 Eliashib the priest (v4) and the officials chose to remain silent regarding
the violations of the law, but Nehemiah had to step forward and address the various boundaries that had been
crossed. So let me say it again, we all have the power to influence. Discovering how to exercise it responsibly is
vital. But as you exercise power, always be mindful that there are temptations to become power hungry, and
also, there are temptations to avoid exercising power, as we see in this passage of scripture.

I want you to notice that a revival began to break out because of Nehemiah's boldness, and all of Judah
brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storehouses. Notice that he chose trustworthy people
to restore the worship of God that had been neglected. As I have stated in previous chapters, you will be forced
to wear many different leadership hats. This past week, I had to wear this authoritative leadership hat and tell
pastors that they needed to work together or find a new team. No, I did not act in all of the same ways that
Nehemiah did in this chapter, but I did have to lead in a theocratic way, and so will you at times. Nehemiah put
things in place so that what needed to happen would happen justly, fairly, and according to the law of Moses.
This then allowed him to pray, remember me for this, my God, and don’t erase the good deeds I have done
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for the house of my God and for its services. Nehemiah confronted, and he didn’t look back with regret. I beg
you to so walk with God that when you have to lead like this, you likewise can pray, Lord, remember me for
this, and do not erase what I have done for my God and for His service.

Nehemiah 13:15-22 Nehemiah Enforces the Sabbath.
Nehemiah will still have to wear the hat of a tribal chief and demand that the people enforce the sabbath laws.
15 At that time, I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores
of grain and loading [them] on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being
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brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned [them] against selling food on that day. The Tyrians
living there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people
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of Judah in Jerusalem. I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them: “What is this evil you are doing—
profaning the Sabbath day? Didn’t your ancestors do the same, so that our God brought all this disaster on
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us and on this city? And now you are rekindling [His] anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!” When
shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem just before the Sabbath, I gave orders that the gates be
closed and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my men at the gates, so that no goods could
enter during the Sabbath day. Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped
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outside Jerusalem, but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I’ll use
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force against you.” After that, they did not come again on the Sabbath. Then I instructed the Levites to
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purify themselves and guard the gates to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Once again, Nehemiah will pray Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion in
keeping with Your abundant, faithful love.

Nehemiah 13:23-29 Nehemiah Cleanses the People
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In those days, I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their
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children spoke the language of Ashdod or of one of the other peoples, but could not speak Hebrew. Nehemiah
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