Nehemiah did a great many things right as a leader. For twelve years he gave up his income as governor, so as not to burden the people further; he did not demand heavy taxes, he regularly pitched in with his own hands, and he did not use his position to buy any land for himself. He was completely different in his conduct as governor from everyone who had come before him. And yet 150 people sat at his table every day, and their provision was ensured by the people.
Nehemiah 5:14-19
Nehemiah in the Service of His People
14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
When the wall was almost finished, Sanballat and Geshem invited Nehemiah, meaning to do him harm. But Nehemiah answered: "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" This invitation was made four times, and Nehemiah answered four times in exactly the same way. That is how the wall was finished in record time, and at least four very valuable leadership insights emerge from it.
- The fastest way to stop a great work is to stop the great leader behind it.
- Projects and problems seem to go hand in hand.
- The tide turns as soon as the project starts to look successful.
- A successful project gives God the glory.
Nehemiah 6:1-9
Plots Against Nehemiah
1 Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.