There are lots of things that set someone apart as a person of character and integrity. It could be a position they hold, especially when they are faithful and diligent in that role. But sometimes people appear like that but are secretly untrustworthy, betraying the faith placed in them. Ultimately, it is the value of someone when they are not being watched that matters, especially when it is the character of someone devoted to prayer.
The book of Nehemiah introduces us to the man, and his personal character. But most importantly, it introduces us to a man of prayer. Nehemiah’s concern for God’s Kingdom is reflected in his persistent and humble prayer, an example that encourages us to regularly approach God’s throne with our own requests.
The Book of Nehemiah picks up the story of God’s People where Ezra’s book left off. While Ezra laboured in Jerusalem to bring about reform, Nehemiah was another of the Jewish people in exile serving the Persian King.
We are introduced to Nehemiah as he serves in the role of cupbearer to the king (v.11). This was a prestigious role, because of the immense trust placed in this person. They literally drank the very wine which the king would drink, to make sure it was not laced with poison.
This made Nehemiah an extremely trustworthy man. It spoke volumes about his character and integrity, that he had made his way to that position, serving the leader of a massive empire. It also showed that Nehemiah, like (probably) Ezra and Mordechai, were faithful servants of the earthly kingdom in which they dwelt, rather than plotting its overthrow.
Yet while this character and integrity is important, it is not what the opening passage focuses on. Instead, it focuses on Nehemiah as a man of prayer.
Nehemiah’s message began during winter months when the king lived in Susa, when Hannani and a group of the Jews arrived (v.2). Nehemiah pumped them for information regarding God’s People and the rebuilding of Jerusalem (v.2).
But the answer was bad news. The returnees were “in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire” (v.3). Since Jerusalem’s destruction by Nebuchadnezzar was hardly breaking news for Nehemiah, this suggests that perhaps the events of Ezra 4 are in view. Rebuilding began not just on the temple but the walls too, until it came to a sudden halt.
Nehemiah’s response was not to complain to the media or work the phones, but to pray. Nehemiah was extremely upset by the situation report. He “wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (v.4). Nehemiah understood it was ultimately God who could change the circumstances.
That prayer began by recognising God as great and awesome, a God who keeps his promises and is faithful to those who are faithful towards him (v.5). This was followed by a request that God would hear his prayer, repeated day and night; while bold, faithful, and persistent, this prayer was also humble (v.6). Nehemiah did not pray like he was giving orders, but with confession of sin, both for his people but also for himself (v.6). In particular, that he and his people had been given God’s Word and yet not kept them (v.7).
Nehemiah acknowledged God’s character and nature, as a God who rightfully punished his covenant people for their wrongdoing as they had been warned, and yet also promised to preserve a remnant (vv.8-9). Those that Nehemiah interceded for were God’s servants, whom he had redeemed (v.10).
Therefore, Nehemiah asked God to hear his prayers and use him in some way as an instrument of God’s mercy to his people (v.11). He does not know how this will happen, but asks that God uses him to make things right anyway.
That is the posture of a man, or woman, of prayer. Nehemiah’s prayer provides a helpful model for us as we pray; acknowledging God’s greatness, confessing our sinfulness, and making our requests for God to move but in the context of God’s goodness and character.
Nehemiah’s prayer also recognised that it was God who could change things. He submitted to God’s rule and reign, expressed over Creation and over his covenant people. Like Nehemiah, we too should pray recognising God’s rule and reign, which finds its full expression in Jesus’ reign as our King as well as our Saviour.
Because like Nehemiah, we too must rely on God’s mercy. That mercy was demonstrated to Nehemiah’s contemporaries by their protection and return from exile. It is demonstrated to us by our redemption from our sinful ways, the forgiveness shown to us through Jesus as he took our sins onto himself as he died in our place on the Cross, so we might be reconciled to God.
No doubt Nehemiah’s prayerfulness affected his character, making him more godly. As we pray like Nehemiah did, in Jesus’ name, we too will see our character changed to become more like Christ’s.