Maybe you know Nehemiah as the one who built the wall in Jerusalem. Well that’s true, but did you also know he makes a fantastic character to study in-depth? Let’s do that very thing. This high-level overview of key character qualities in Nehemiah will give you basic knowledge of his life, invite you to read the text further to find out more, and convince you that he is truly a man to emulate. The direct applications of these character qualities are easy to find, as these are qualities God wants in us as well.
A Man Who Knows God
Nehemiah is a man who knows God and his ways. Even though he’d never seen the glory days of Israel such as the exodus from Egypt, the conquest, or Solomon’s reign, he knew the Jewish Scriptures. In chapter 1, he prays to God and declares that he “keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments” (1:5). In 1:8 he also asks God to remember a previous promise to Moses where God will gather his people even from far away if they return their hearts to him. And this is exactly the situation in which God’s people find themselves: exiled, far away, and cast out for seemingly forever. Later on, after he completes the important task of building the wall, he knows the laws of God to the point where he can easily point out violations, such as when the Sabbath is broken in chapter 13.
It’s up to all of God’s people to truly know him, his ways, his attributes, and how he interacts with the world. We should emulate Nehemiah’s knowledge, which comes by studying Scripture more deeply and walking with God. It isn’t enough to ride the coattails of others’ faith. We need knowledge of God that comes from Scripture as well as a more intimate relationship with God where we begin to see things he does in our own lives specifically.
A Man Who Does What God Puts in His Heart
Nehemiah 2:12 has a key little phrase that’s easy to miss. It says God had put the task of building the wall “into [his] heart to do for Jerusalem.” This is quite remarkable. For one, we shouldn’t take it for granted that God had put something into his heart to begin with. Those who don’t follow Jesus shouldn’t expect this to happen to them. God uses his people for extraordinary things. Also, it’s notable that Nehemiah perceives this work of God and openly comments on it as he writes the text. He clearly sees that it’s from God and not from his own interests and desires. Finally, it’s noteworthy not only that God put it in his heart and that he sees it, but that he goes and does that very thing. The text doesn’t indicate any hesitation or disobedience.
So what is God putting on our hearts to do? It can be a specific task. Are we keeping an eye out for it? Perhaps God is asking us to do something that only we can do within our sphere of influence. Look for those things and, like Nehemiah, purpose to do them. Strike while the iron is hot, for God may remove the interest or you might become distracted or unable to do it for some reason later on and thus miss out. If you do what God puts on your heart, you’ll experience joy and fulfillment.
A Man Who Is Not Easily Deterred
So Nehemiah had started doing what God put on his heart. Would this be a one-time decision that easily played itself out? Far from it. It was more like a daily decision that played itself out in a very challenging fashion. In chapter 4, some of the locals are not happy that the wall is being rebuilt. First, they taunt him and question whether they can finish. Nehemiah asks God to hear and return the taunts to them (4:4). Then Nehemiah wisely decides to set guards with swords and even gives the builders swords to hold in one hand. Nehemiah doesn’t listen to the naysayers, the Jews who falter, or even his own temptations if he has them. He is on a mission and will accomplish his task no matter what. He even has victory over a plot to convince him to take refuge in the temple and thus tarnish his name and undercut his authority (6:10-13).
How easily and quickly do we give up in doing God’s work! How unlike Nehemiah we are in carrying out blessed tasks. In other words, we’re far too easily deterred, whether in praying for a lost person, reading Scripture, utilizing creative gifts and talents, or even starting a business. Let this be its own rebuke.
A Man Who Cares About God’s People
Nehemiah recognizes that he exists within a context of God’s people – in other words, not just him and God. And the text indicates that he has the people’s best interest at heart. For instance, after he becomes governor in chapter 5, he sees that the previous governors had imposed heavy burdens on the people by requiring much food and money. But Nehemiah scales these back and refuses to exercise this right. Also, he constantly involves God’s people in building the wall. Now, one might say that he had no choice, for who can build a wall alone? But if he didn’t care about God’s people, he would have tried that very thing and failed. Finally, in chapter 8 he invites God’s people to feast and be glad during a festival.
If we care about God’s people, it will manifest itself in acts of service, love for others, and a heart of compassion. The church is where we find God’s people today. Like Nehemiah, we should develop a deeper care for God’s people.
A Man Who Is Not Afraid to Confront Evil
Finally, Nehemiah sees and confronts evil around him. It’s one thing to see evil. We put up with many things that are evil and like Eli the priest refuse to confront those responsible. Nehemiah shows no such restraint or niceness. In chapter 5 Nehemiah confronts the nobles who are extorting fellow Jews. In fact, he says he “contended” with them and “held a great assembly against them” (5:7). Later on, after he’d gone east for a while, he returns and sees things in bad shape. He cleanses the chambers of a foreigner’s influence, shuts the gates to prevent commerce on the Sabbath, and forces Jews who had intermarried with other people groups to vow against this (chapter 13). He says of himself, “I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God…” (13:25).
You might see extreme zeal and fanaticism here. But you ought to see a proper response to evil, which is to give it no quarter. Confrontation can take many forms, whether pulling hair out or a more subdued one-on-one conversation. But being willing to confront, and then actually doing it, is the key. This is a quality in much need of emulation in our time.
A Man to Emulate
All these qualities are important, especially in the most productive years of our lives which are generally our twenties, thirties, and forties. We have work given to us by God to do, and we must know what those works are, not be easily distracted or scared off while doing them, and confront those who stand in our way. The little book of Nehemiah provides much more depth and many interesting statements, such as when he asks God to “remember me, my God, for good” because of what he has been doing (13:31). Take a look and you will find even more qualities to emulate. And then take a moment to give thanks to God for inspiring Nehemiah to write these words for his people all across time.