The Third Return
Nehemiah 7:1 to 7:73a and 12:1 to 13:31
445 to 432 BC
There was a twelve year gap between the ministry of Ezra and that of Nehemiah.
Like the First Return, it begins with preparation in Babylon and the introduction of the opposition to God’s plan from Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem.
Leader: Nehemiah
Decree of: Artakh’shasta (445 BC)
Company: a small group
Purpose: Build the walls of Tziyon and continue to enact reforms
Problem: Samaritans and mixed marriages
Nehemiah: A Manual for Leaders
When it comes to leadership, Nehemiah stands with heroes of the TaNaKh like Joseph, Moses, Joshua and David. Yet, he is strangely obscure and virtually unknown to people today. It was written by a man who was prominent in business and politics in the ancient Near East. He not only possessed an exceptional personal philosophy of leadership, but he lived it out as well. In his lifetime, cupbearer to the King, he rose from utter obscurity to national recognition.
Believe it or not, what Nehemiah had to say about leadership speaks to the very same issues you and I face today. For example, we learn how to relate to touchy bosses; how to balance faith in Ha’Shem’s sovereignty and the need for personal planning; how to handle discouragement at the executive level; and how to respond to unwarranted criticism.
In this biblical manual for leaders we find timeless and reliable guidelines that work. They enable us to know how to build quality characteristics in ourselves and others – the kind that are rarely seen today. These truths are not suddenly “dumped” on us, but rather handed to us – brick by brick, as it were – in the form of a narrative. The story begins with an unassuming servant and follows his personal journey to become the official governor of Isra’el during its reconstruction, which incidentally points to our first lesson. Good leaders are made, not born; they are built, shaped, and tested by God – brick by brick – over time.
That’s one of the purposes of this ancient book; to equip you to build you into the kind of leader ADONAI desires – a true leader. If you allow yourself to get caught up in the story, you will find something wonderful begin to happen. As you watch the plot develop, as you see Nehemiah’s character and his project built, shaped, and tested, you will find something in your hand that wasn’t there before: a brick . . . something with which to begin building your own character.198 There are twelve examples of leadership in the life of Nehemiah.
1. It is essential that leaders have insight (to see link click Bn).
2. Nothing is more important for wise leaders than prayer (Bp).
3. Effective leaders establish clear priorities and use their time wisely (Bq).
4. There are four vital factors for competent leaders (Bu).
5. Successful leaders must be prepared when God opens the door of opportunity (Bw).
6. Competent leaders know how to handle themselves in solitude (Bx).
7. Effective leaders motivate people to action (Bz).
8. Wise leaders know how to handle criticism (Cc).
9. Good leaders do not merely rebuke, but takes steps to correct the problem (Cf).
10. Successful leaders lead by example (Cg).
11. Wise leaders must be careful not to fall (Ci).
12. Effective leaders are positive people (Cl).
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