When Nehemiah saw that the Jewish people were taking advantage of each other, he rebuked them and asked them to stop oppressing the poor. A Godly leader who judges righteously will, at some point, likely be unpopular with his own because he must stand for righteousness over personal relationships.
A leader must remain impartial toward anyone or any group. Expecting a man or woman of God to be partial toward us is not only foolish but sinful! God has said that He hates differing scales. We must guard ourselves against partiality and also avoid expecting others to show favoritism because of our relationship with them.
God has given each of us the Ministry of Reconciliation. Though it may not seem like a glamorous task, it is a crucial assignment! The majority of our life issues are relational issues—either in our relationship with the Lord or with others. Thus, it is essential to recognize the importance of this mission as we help reconcile people to God or to each other. Nehemiah successfully resolved conflicts among the Jewish brothers, leading them to promise to treat one another fairly and to follow God’s established rules.
One of the things that truly moves me about Nehemiah is his sacrificial generosity. This man left the comfort of a palace to live among the Jewish people. He rolled up his sleeves, working tirelessly in the dirt and mud, shedding tears, sweat, and prayers to rebuild the wall. He even put his life in danger. However, when it came to enjoying the privileges of being governor, he said:
Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions. But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work. Nehemiah 5:14-16
What an example of sacrificial leadership! His work was truly for God and unto God. He did not assume his role for privileges; he came to serve and help a group of people who were helpless and in need of restoration. This is true dedication to God’s calling and a genuine love for his people. His example is inspiring!
Additionally, scripture tells us that Nehemiah fed 150 people every day at his table. He was an inclusive leader, surrounding himself not only with friends. In fact, there is no mention of anyone being called a friend by Nehemiah during those 12 years. If he had them, that was not his focus and he did not advertise it. He was there for God’s assignment, and nothing would distract him from it.
In the next devotional, I’ll continue exploring this topic. For now, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the areas where we need growth and change. Ask the Lord to help you with the immature areas of your life. Why do you desire to lead? When you are in a leadership role, do you expect others to give you preferential treatment? Do you give others preferential treatment? If we wish to reflect the Lord’s leadership in the lives of others, we must capture to heart of God for leadership!