Model for problem solving.

Nehemiah 2:11-20

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls

11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. 13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. 17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. 
 They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?"

20 I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."

I. Message

Content

1. Nehemiah was discrete in his approach; he surveyed the wall and carefully assessed the condition of the damage. (v11-16)
2. Nehemiah shared the vision with the leaders, and received anonymous support. (v17-18)
3. His enemies mocked Nehemiah. (v19-20)

Theme

1. Model for problem solving.
2. Building a cohesive group through shared vision.

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?

1. God calls and commissions people (v12)
2. God among people (v18)
3. Gracious God helps people (v20)

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1. Model for problem solving

“I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days, I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate.” (v11-15)

From Nehemiah’s approach, we find that he has set an example of solving a problem. First, gather information; second, analyze the situation; then, propose solution. finally, execute the plan with diligence. From the perspective of management, this is good model for us to learn from.

Reflection: How do I usually deal with problems? Am I like Nehemiah, who had a clear mind and was able to approach the task at hand with poise and order: research, analyze, propose, and implement.

2. Attentive attitude

“The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.” (v16)

When Nehemiah first returned to Jerusalem, as he lack a complete understanding of the extend of the damage sustained by the wall, he kept quiet. He quickly used the nighttime to assess and evaluate the conditions himself. It is his intention to not startle others, to avoid suspicion and resistance. Only when everything was ready did he officially call the leaders of the people and shared the vision he has received from God. This shows that Nehemiah was attentive and this is an attitude we can learn from.

Reflection: How about me, am I impulsive and attentive in the ways I approach problems in life? How about the way I serve? Do I rely on temporary passion or am I considerate and attentive, seeking God and wait for affirmative guidance?

3. Relationship building through vision sharing

“Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. 
 They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. “ (v17-18)

Vision can revive the spiritual life; people are often moved to commitment because of vision. When Nehemiah received the vision, and his heart had the preliminary plan, he shared it passionately with the leaders. First, he shared the problem at hand; then, he shared the reason for rebuilding; lastly, he shared the help from God. The result is that the people’s hearts were stirred, and responded, “Let us start rebuilding!”

Evidently, to complete the rebuilding of the wall, Nehemiah was not alone but was supported by a group where tasks were delegated and accomplished in unity. However, how was the support group formed? It was not formed by threats, or through bribery, but through the sharing of a vision. Therefore, shared vision is the motor of calling and organizing a group.

Reflection: Am I good at sharing vision received from God, thus encouraging others to come forward to serve and to commit themselves to God in realizing the vision?

4. The rising of opposing power

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?" (v19)

God did not simply grant the vision to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, He continue to enable it through His hand. But at the same time, Satan would not rest and is quite restless in its opposition and destruction. This is a reminder to us that even if God is on our side, we cannot be careless because Satan is ever ready to tear it all down.

Reflection: During serving, have I ever experienced opposition from Satan? Have I prepared myself fully with the utmost care? Have I neglected to equip myself with the ‘armor of God’, or have I kept it precious?

5. Faith filled proclamation

“I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it." (v20)

Faced with enemy’s slandering and resistance, even false accusation of treason, Nehemiah confidently proclaimed:” The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding.” He then followed by making distinction, said, “you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Reflection: When faced with resistance and attack from Satan, what is my attitude? Do I panic or am I able to proclaim with faith that we are God’ servants, He will give us success?