Lesson for May 11 — Nehemiah 2:1-8, 11, 17-18

By Amy Dueckman

The song “Happy Talk” from the musical South Pacific contains these lyrics: “You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?”

This quarter’s lessons conclude with the story of Nehemiah, who returns to Jerusalem to oversee its rebuilding program. The above words could be the motto for Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, who follows his dream to accomplish this daunting task.

The position of cupbearer to the king was potentially a fatal one. Nehemiah could be required to taste the wine before the king did to make sure it was not poisoned. But being cupbearer also had its advantages. A cupbearer had to be trusted. Nehemiah stayed close by the king’s side most of the time, and as such likely would have developed a kind of friendship with him.

That’s why the king notices when things aren’t quite right with Nehemiah. Ordinarily Nehemiah was a cheerful man, but one day he is so noticeably downcast that the king is compelled to ask him about it. That’s when Nehemiah spills what’s on his heart, that he has received news about the city of Jerusalem and its temple lying in ruins.

Preparatation for the task

Nehemiah has already prepared himself with prayer and fasting. As has been a recurring theme in these lessons, he acknowledges that God is a God “who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands” (Neh. 1:5), and he also confesses that his people “have acted very wickedly” (1:7). Even when standing before the king, Nehemiah continues to call on God and offers a quick prayer for the right words before boldly making his request known.

At the same time, God has prepared Artaxerxes’ heart to listen to Nehemiah and grant his request to return to the land of his fathers and rebuild the temple. He not only grants Nehemiah’s request for a leave of absence but also sends letters with Nehemiah to ensure safe passage back to the land of Judah.

Once at his destination, Nehemiah assesses the task before him. In chapter two we learn that he doesn’t tell anyone what God has put in his heart to do for Jerusalem. Rather, he goes out at night and quietly surveys what needs to be done. Only then does he call the leaders together to encourage them to rebuild the walls.

The right methods

Note that Nehemiah goes about his task in all the right ways. First and most important, he prays. Because his heart is right before God, everything else falls into place.

Second, he senses a call from God and is not afraid to see it through. Who would have picked Nehemiah to oversee a building program? A cupbearer in a foreign land doesn’t appear to be a likely candidate, and yet it turns out he is the one chosen. Nehemiah obeys the call.

Third, he uses the resources at hand and goes through the proper channels. He is in a position to ask a favor of the king, and even though he is afraid, he humbles himself before the king’s authority and asks. The favor is granted.

And finally, he is an encouragement to others. After surveying and evaluating the worksite and meeting with the officials of Jerusalem, Nehemiah is at last in a position to begin the building program. “God has been and will be with us,” he says. “Let’s go ahead and do this job.” His attitude inspires the others to agree, “Yes, let us start rebuilding.”

Through this visionary leader, God’s purpose is accomplished.