The Spirit of Nehemiah by Edward Alexander Sutherland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 8, 1902

The Spirit of Nehemiah

By Edward Alexander Sutherland

The biographies of certain men are recorded in the Word of God in order that Christians living in the last days may catch the spirit which animated these men when they were placed in peculiar positions, or called to act quickly upon some important matter. If we lose sight of the fact that such characters were under the direction of the Spirit of God, their works appear miraculous; bearing this fact in mind, their lives teach us that in this day and age it is possible to accomplish a work not one whit less wonderful.

In view of the present campaign for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” I have been led to study carefully the life of Nehemiah, and to me have come the questions: Would Nehemiah, if living to-day, sell “Christ’s Object Lessons”? Would it take a man with his fire and enthusiasm weeks, and even months, to accomplish the work we have undertaken?

A brief survey of his life experience will answer these questions. During the Babylonian captivity the children of Israel lost confidence in God’s instruction and promises. To illustrate: when the prophet Jeremiah told the Jews at Jerusalem not to build houses in Zion, but to yield themselves to Nebuchadnezzar, they disobeyed, and continued to build. At the same time he was asking his people in Babylon to build houses and plant vineyards preparatory to remaining seventy years.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon: Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord. For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” Jer. 29: 4-10.

False prophets told the people in Jerusalem that the restoration would take place in two years; therefore it would be wise to build in Jerusalem instead of in Babylon. Thus it was that both in Jerusalem and in Babylon the people who bore the name of God disobeyed his direct commands. This indicates the condition of God’s people before and during the captivity.

At the expiration of the seventy years, the condition was no better. By the decree of Cyrus the Jews were permitted to return to their native land. But again stubbornness and self-will marked their actions. Before the seventy years had expired, they were anxious to go to Palestine, and would not settle in Babylon, where it was their privilege to disseminate the principles of truth; but at the end of the time, when it was the will of God for them to leave Babylon and to go to Palestine, strange as it may seem, the majority refused to go. A small company under the leadership of Ezra went up to Palestine to restore the holy city.

A number of years later, Nehemiah, who was cupbearer to the Persian king, inquired concerning the Jews at Jerusalem. He learned that they were in great affliction and reproach. “And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” Neh. 1: 3. The wall was broken down, and the city was in anything but a prosperous condition. Nehemiah turned to God, pleading for wisdom that the name of the Lord might not be further dishonored in this matter. The Persian king, for whom he was cupbearer, noticed his sorrow of heart. He asked the reason, and when he learned the cause, he was pleased to aid Nehemiah in building up the city. The king said: “For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return?” Nehemiah says, “I set him a time.” Neh. 2: 6. But

Nehemiah knew that God had appointed him to this work. However, his course was beset with difficulties. There were at Jerusalem two men, closely associated with the work of God, who were much displeased at his arrival. When they heard of it, “it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.” Neh. 2: 10. But Nehemiah’s interest and determination only increased as he met opposition. During the night, without the knowledge of the rulers, priests, and nobles, he went out and viewed the walls and gates that were in ruins. To a few faithful friends, he said, “Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” It is written also: “Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” Neh. 2: 12-20.

The work to be done was great, and in order to do it to the best advantage, certain parts were apportioned to the leading men of Jerusalem. Each leader, with his company, was to build a definite portion of the wall. For instance, Eliashib, the high priest, and his company, built the sheep gate; another leader and his company built the fish gate, and so on. Of one company the following report is given in the Word of God: “And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.” This was not true of all, however, for of another company it is said: “After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece.” Neh. 3: 1, 3, 5, 20.

E. A. SUTHERLAND.

(To be continued)