Nehemiah 2:9 - Meaning and Application

We are told here, first, that Nehemiah was sent away from the king’s court with honor. The king appointed army officers and horsemen to go with him (Nehemiah 2:9). This was both for his protection and to show that the king was pleased to honor him, so that all the king’s servants would respect him too. In the same way, those whom the King of kings sends out are protected and honored by him, with angels attending them.

Second, we see how he was received by the people in the land he had come to serve. Among the Jews and their friends in Jerusalem, he was at first hardly noticed, because he had kept his purpose hidden. He stayed in Jerusalem three days (Nehemiah 2:11), and no important men of the city seem to have come to welcome him. The king had sent horsemen with him, but the Jews sent none to meet him, and he had no animal with him except the one he himself rode (Nehemiah 2:12). Wise people, and those worthy of special honor, do not seek attention or make a display, even when they bring great blessings. Those who will one day rule, the world does not yet know, because they are still hidden (1 John 3:1).

Even though others took little notice of him, Nehemiah carefully studied their situation. He got up in the night and inspected the broken walls, likely by moonlight (Nehemiah 2:13), so that he could see what needed to be done and how best to begin. He wanted to know whether the old foundation could still be used, and which old materials might help in the repair. Good work is usually done well when it is first thought through carefully. It is wise for people involved in public work to see things with their own eyes as much as possible, and to do so quietly if they can. Those who want to rebuild the church’s walls must first look closely at the ruins. To know how to improve something, you must first ask what is wrong, what needs reform, and what can still be kept.

When he finally told the rulers and the people his plan, they gladly agreed with him. At first, he did not explain why he had come (Nehemiah 2:16), because he did not want to appear showy, and because if the work proved impossible, he could step back more honorably. Honest, humble people do not announce their giving or their good deeds to draw attention to themselves. But after he had examined everything, and likely sensed how the leaders and people felt, he told them what God had put in his heart (Nehemiah 2:12), namely, to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:17).

He presented the matter fairly. He reminded them of their distress, how open they were to enemies on every side, how justly they were mocked as weak and worthless, and how easily they could be attacked whenever someone chose. Then he said, “Come, let us build the wall.” He did not try to do the work alone, since one man could not do it. Nor did he command them harshly, even though he had the king’s authority. Instead, he urged them as a brother, inviting them to join him in the work. To encourage them, he spoke of the plan as something that came from God’s special grace. He did not claim credit for a good thought of his own, but said that God had put it into his heart. So they all should support it, because whatever comes from God should be promoted, and they could expect success in it, since God blesses the work he sets people to do.

He also pointed to God’s providence, which is his wise care and guiding hand. He showed them the king’s letter and explained how freely it had been given, and how willing the king had been to help him. In this, he saw the good hand of his God at work. That would encourage both him and them to keep going in a work that God had so clearly favored. And they all answered at once, “Let us rise up and build.” They were ashamed that they had stayed idle so long without even trying this necessary work. So they resolved to rise out of laziness, set themselves to work, and stir one another up. “Let us rise up” meant, “Let us do this with strength, care, and determination, and not quit halfway.” So they strengthened their hands, both their own and one another’s, for this good work.

Many good works would have enough workers if there were only one good leader to begin them. They all saw Jerusalem’s ruined condition, but none had suggested repairing it. Once Nehemiah spoke, they all agreed. It is a pity when a good idea is lost simply because no one is willing to speak first and break the ice. And when we stir up ourselves and one another to do good, we strengthen one another for it. One big reason we grow weak in duty is that our hearts are cold, indifferent, and unwilling.

We also see how Nehemiah was received by those who hated the Jews. Those whom God and his people blessed, these men cursed. When he merely appeared, it troubled them (Nehemiah 2:10). Sanballat and Tobiah, two Samaritans, though Sanballat was by birth a Moabite and Tobiah an Ammonite, were deeply upset to see someone arrive with the king’s authority to help Israel. Their small and selfish efforts to weaken Israel were being undone by a fair, noble, and generous plan to strengthen them. Nothing vexes the enemies of good people more than seeing those people stand well with rulers, their innocence cleared, and their shame removed. It angers them to see that such people are not only allowed to live, but trusted.

When Nehemiah began to act, they tried to stop him, but without success (Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 2:20). They tried to discourage him by mocking the work as foolish. They laughed at them and treated them as useless builders who could not finish what they started. They also tried to make the work seem wicked, as if it were rebellion: “Will you rebel against the king?” That was the old slander. Even though they now had the king’s commission and protection, the enemies still called them rebels. But the Jews had good reason to ignore such talk.

They took courage from this: they were servants of the God of heaven, the only true and living God. They knew they were acting for him, and because of that, he would support them and make their work succeed, even though the nations raged (Psalm 2:1).

They also saw why these enemies hated them. It was because the enemies had no rightful claim in Jerusalem and were jealous of the Jews’ own right there. In the same way, God’s people can easily dismiss the weak threats of the church’s enemies.