Nehemiah's End
So I'm done with Nehemiah for now. What an interesting fellow. I've taken away something new from this fresh reading of his book. I have most certainly been challenged by his charge over Israel and his simple formula of progressive obedience Understand, Obey & Rejoice.
What stood out to me once again towards the end of the book was Nehemiah's constant calling of G-d to remembrance. This strikes me particularly since there seems to be such a high concentration of this. The only other author that I am aware of that uses this particular approach is David and Nehemiah's frequency, in comparison to the length of his writing is much higher. Here are a few examples from Nehemiah:
We basically have Nehemiah pleading with G-d to remember his good deeds, his external righteousness towards Israel and towards Torah. He also uses this same approach as a curse in a few instances which is basically, "Remember them for their sins." What could Nehemiah be so fearful of? Why does he so greatly fear the wrath of G-d upon him? It is as if he holds these great works up as some sort of feeble attempt at doing right by YHWH. He seems so fearful of judgment and yet so bold towards men.
I have a theory however and the answer comes from the beginning of Nehemiah. "For I was the king's cupbearer." Nehemiah was a servant of Artaxerxes within the palace of Shushan. His service occurred while his brethren languished in oppressive captivity. I believe that Nehemiah felt like a "sell out." I think he felt, as many great men have felt that he should have been languishing with his brethren rather than living in a palace being the kings cupbearer. Not only was he in the palace of Shushan he was a highly trusted servant and one of great standing, especially since he clearly had the kings ear quite directly.
I think Nehemiah's continual offering of his deeds before G-d were based in shame for his place of privilege. He was clearly too close to his mission to see, as Daniel and David, that his placement was no accident and that he would be a deliverer of Israel. I think he felt the weight of his guilt continually, the burden for his brothers and for Jerusalem itself.
He was indeed a deliverer of Israel and in a very modern sense. He was not followed by signs and wonders, pillars of fire or parted seas. He simply prayed and watched for opportunity. His simple strategy of asking, waiting and watching in conjunction with truly leaving the outcome in G-d's hands is a powerful picture for the modern believer.
Nehemiah is actually a tremendous model for many modern Christians and Jews who might feel that what they do for a "living" might be in conflict with their faith. Nehemiah was serving the enemy and doing it well enough to be the King's cupbearer. I wonder how much greater Nehemiah's work could have been had he not been constantly stooped by his guilt. I also wonder if it was his guilty conscious that made him perfect for the job at hand.
G-d is funny that way. So often He will make us most perfectly suited to the very thing that we personally feel the least prepared to handle... I've seen it many times in my own life.
Nehemiah also uses this approach as a curse. I think this draws into particularly sharp focus Hehemiah's consciousness of G-d's perfect judgement. It's Nehemiah's was of saying "Revenge is mine saith the Lord." Nehemiah simply says, "Their fate is in You hands G-d, not mine." I think Nehemiah cleanes and frees himself from much of his own personal anger over the disobediance of others in this way. Towards the end of the book we find him again, in a slightly more aggressive state somewhat forshadowing Jesus' encounter with the money changers in the temple. he runs them "out of town" as it were and quite literally lets the door hit them on the way out.
I finished Nehemiah with a certain satisfaction, a certain fullness in my spirit that tells me that I've glimpsed at a man for all times. I find myself asking whether I can follow his simple and powerful example in my own life.
"Remember me O G-d for good"
What stood out to me once again towards the end of the book was Nehemiah's constant calling of G-d to remembrance. This strikes me particularly since there seems to be such a high concentration of this. The only other author that I am aware of that uses this particular approach is David and Nehemiah's frequency, in comparison to the length of his writing is much higher. Here are a few examples from Nehemiah:
13:14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good
deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices
thereof.
13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves,
and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the
greatness of thy mercy.
13:31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the
firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
We basically have Nehemiah pleading with G-d to remember his good deeds, his external righteousness towards Israel and towards Torah. He also uses this same approach as a curse in a few instances which is basically, "Remember them for their sins." What could Nehemiah be so fearful of? Why does he so greatly fear the wrath of G-d upon him? It is as if he holds these great works up as some sort of feeble attempt at doing right by YHWH. He seems so fearful of judgment and yet so bold towards men.
I have a theory however and the answer comes from the beginning of Nehemiah. "For I was the king's cupbearer." Nehemiah was a servant of Artaxerxes within the palace of Shushan. His service occurred while his brethren languished in oppressive captivity. I believe that Nehemiah felt like a "sell out." I think he felt, as many great men have felt that he should have been languishing with his brethren rather than living in a palace being the kings cupbearer. Not only was he in the palace of Shushan he was a highly trusted servant and one of great standing, especially since he clearly had the kings ear quite directly.
I think Nehemiah's continual offering of his deeds before G-d were based in shame for his place of privilege. He was clearly too close to his mission to see, as Daniel and David, that his placement was no accident and that he would be a deliverer of Israel. I think he felt the weight of his guilt continually, the burden for his brothers and for Jerusalem itself.
He was indeed a deliverer of Israel and in a very modern sense. He was not followed by signs and wonders, pillars of fire or parted seas. He simply prayed and watched for opportunity. His simple strategy of asking, waiting and watching in conjunction with truly leaving the outcome in G-d's hands is a powerful picture for the modern believer.
Nehemiah is actually a tremendous model for many modern Christians and Jews who might feel that what they do for a "living" might be in conflict with their faith. Nehemiah was serving the enemy and doing it well enough to be the King's cupbearer. I wonder how much greater Nehemiah's work could have been had he not been constantly stooped by his guilt. I also wonder if it was his guilty conscious that made him perfect for the job at hand.
G-d is funny that way. So often He will make us most perfectly suited to the very thing that we personally feel the least prepared to handle... I've seen it many times in my own life.
Nehemiah also uses this approach as a curse. I think this draws into particularly sharp focus Hehemiah's consciousness of G-d's perfect judgement. It's Nehemiah's was of saying "Revenge is mine saith the Lord." Nehemiah simply says, "Their fate is in You hands G-d, not mine." I think Nehemiah cleanes and frees himself from much of his own personal anger over the disobediance of others in this way. Towards the end of the book we find him again, in a slightly more aggressive state somewhat forshadowing Jesus' encounter with the money changers in the temple. he runs them "out of town" as it were and quite literally lets the door hit them on the way out.
I finished Nehemiah with a certain satisfaction, a certain fullness in my spirit that tells me that I've glimpsed at a man for all times. I find myself asking whether I can follow his simple and powerful example in my own life.
"Remember me O G-d for good"
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