Seven Lessons in Servant Leadership: Nehemiah
Lesson Six
Vigilance
Reflection
According to a report by the Anti defamation League in November of last year*, over seventy percent of Jewish college students have been exposed to antisemitism this school year. This dynamic and the imminent threat that our Jewish community faces is not isolated to our colleges and universities. I recall visiting one of our local Jewish Independent Schools in Atlanta a few years ago. I was stunned and admittedly disheartened to see the many layers of security that were in place in response to the many threats our Jewish schools received throughout the year. I was, however, equally moved by how the administration and students went about the day-to-day. Despite the ever-present reality of physical violence against the community, it did not distract them from their mission. They were courageous in the face of opposition, while at the same time, to keep their community members safe, they were vigilant.
Application
In lesson five, we discussed Nehemiah’s response to the opposition he faced while undergoing the grand task of rebuilding the wall. When the opposition tried to distract him with ridicule, childish taunts, mockery, and false accusations (Nehemiah 2:19, 4:3, 6:5-6), he stayed the course and aligned his workers behind the mission. When Nehemiah’s opponents realized that they were unable to halt the progress that had been made, they resorted to threats of violence.
Let’s return to the account in chapter four:
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. (Neh 4:8)
Note how Nehemiah’s opposition banded together to create a coalition against the Jews to cause confusion. Once again, Nehemiah and the exiles were challenged to stick to the mission, but this time, their physical safety and security were at risk. Rather than rush to battle or abandon the mission, Nehemiah and his workers first acted in a display of faith; they prayed. It is also important to note that throughout the events from the beginning, Nehemiah modelled the commitment to prayer in the face of adversity. Now, rather than praying alone, the entire congregation of exiles prayed to the Lord.
And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9)
As believers, we are invited to carry everything to the Lord in prayer. (Philippians 4:6-7) However, we are also called to be vigilant. (1 Peter 5:8) As a leader, Nehemiah was responsible for the spiritual security of the people and their physical safety. As a result, he devised a well-orchestrated plan to position workers day and night, ready to defend the city in the case of an attack while ensuring that the work would continue unimpeded.
From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction and half held spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building the wall. (Neh 4:16)
Nehemiah’s response in the face of a unified opposition and when confronted with the threat of physical violence showed his faith and devotion to the Lord. Once again, his first act was to lead the people in prayer. His actions put his strategic mind on full display as he organized the workers to stand vigilant day and night, ready to defend the city if attacked. Finally, he showed his ability to galvanize the leadership behind the workers. Leaders will face opposition in some fashion or form in their leadership journey. Biblical servant leadership calls us to be faithful, taking our concerns to the Lord, but also to be strong and courageous, vigilant and ready for the enemy's attack.
In the next and final reflection in this series, we will learn one last valuable servant leadership lesson from Nehemiah: humility and gratitude.
Challenge question:
What does vigilance look like in your leadership context? In your relationships? Spiritual life?
Explore the Word
Nehemiah 4:1-23
Yours in Christ,
Brad
*https://www.reuters.com/world/us/over-70-us-jewish-college-students-exposed-antisemitism-this-school-year-survey-2023-11-29/
