Information Related to "Nehemiah: Portrait of a Leader"
| Audio/Video |
|
In the book bearing his name, Nehemiah records his memoirs. He tells how, against tremendous odds, he accomplished an unimaginably difficult undertaking.
by Mario Seiglie
t may come as a surprise that the Scriptures - the Holy Bible - contain a course in leadership, given by one of the most remarkable, although little-known, leaders in the Bible: Nehemiah. His life and the principles he espoused serve as a guide to tackling life's most difficult problems. It is a classic study on successfully leading as God would have us lead: by setting an example of faith in God.
In the book of the Bible bearing his name, Nehemiah records his memoirs. He tells how, against tremendous odds, he accomplished an unimaginably difficult undertaking.
Chronologically, the book of Nehemiah should come at the end of the Old Testament. Jerusalem was in ruins and surrounded by powerful enemies. Any attempt to rebuild the desolate city was met with an immediate mobilizing of forces against the Jews and was prohibited by the mighty Persian Empire, which ruled the region.
In the midst of these obstacles, Nehemiah accepted the challenge of rebuilding Jerusalem, which meant fortifying its walls, repopulating the city and setting up for Judah a solid and God-fearing government.
The book of Nehemiah begins ca. 444 B.C., some 90 years after the first group of Jews returned to Jerusalem under a leader named Zerubbabel. The temple was rebuilt, but Jerusalem as a whole was still in ruins. A second group arrived later, led by Ezra the scribe, but the walls that should have protected the inhabitants still lay in ruin.
In those days, a city without walls could offer its inhabitants no protection and was subject to frequent raids. Few people would venture to live in such a vulnerable place. As a result, Jerusalem at that time was more of a shrine than a city. Most of the people lived outside of the gates.
Against the backdrop of this desperate situation, the book of Nehemiah begins.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "Nehemiah: Portrait of a Leader"
Other Articles by Mario Seiglie
Ezra: