Building Project

Two popular stories from the Old Testament recount the building of the tabernacle (Ex 25) and the building of Solomon’s temple (1Kgs 5). They are oft repeated because they represent every church leader’s fantasy building project. God gave His direct command to build. The people responded voluntarily, and in spectacular fashion by giving so much in the way of funds and materials that they had to be told to stop giving! The work was done by men uniquely called and gifted by God for the task. At the dedication ceremony God came and personally blessed and dwelt in the resulting structure. Everyone lived happily ever after (sort of). By contrast, Nehemiah relates an interesting story of another building project. One that is probably nearer our experience. He tells of discouragement, doubt and struggle, resistance and hostility from within and without. Recall that as the book opens the Israelites had begun to trickle back into Palestine as a result of the proclamation of Cyrus, king of Persia. (Ezra 1) Ezra the priest had returned to Jerusalem to restore temple worship but things there had not gone particularly well. It is against this backdrop that Nehemiah’s story begins. Nehemiah was probably born and raised outside Palestine and had an important job as cup-bearer to Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Nehemiah had perhaps never seen Jerusalem, yet was moved to ask the king for permission to return to rebuild the protective wall surrounding that city. At no time does Nehemiah claim a direct command from God to do this. Rather, he knows that the condition of Jerusalem was a reproach to the name of God and that preparations needed to be made for the Israelites as they returned to the land. He prayed for favor (1:11) and strength (6:9) and did what he knew was right. Nehemiah risked much to pursue his goal. At minimum, there was potential for outright refusal and humiliation when he made his request to leave the king’s service, return to Jerusalem and build at the king’s expense. Though his position allowed him direct access to the king, he risked being forcibly relieved of the position, if not his life, by allowing his sad countenance to be seen in the king’s presence. Yet, against these risks were many hopeful signs. Nehemiah knew God’s Word and thus His covenant with Israel. (1:8-9) Nehemiah recognized that God’s favor had placed him in a position to accomplish things others could not. (1:11) Further, his practical experience allowed him to know what to do when the opportunity arose. It is tempting to cite ease of accomplishment as a sign of God’s approval. But rarely is real growth and achievement attained without struggle. Such was the case with Nehemiah. Upon return to Jerusalem he immediately met resistance from Sanballat and Tobiah, two local functionaries who did not want to see any revival of the Israelite kingdom. These men tried threats, intimidation and ridicule to bring the work to a stop. Failing that, they plotted an armed attack to kill the builders. They even hired a “friend” to give Nehemiah bad counsel and thus discredit him. An often overlooked aspect of the story is that God was purifying the Israelite leaders at the same time.

The Jewish nobles and officials had been sinning by engaging in usury, a practice explicitly forbidden in Scripture. When confronted by Nehemiah they repented and took an oath not to do so again. Thus, God works both ends of the equation. Neither sheep nor shepherd is exempt from the refining fire of His Word. Nehemiah’s God-honoring life began to produce a God-honoring result. His passion created a spirit of unity among the people and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. The example was set by the fact that the first people to get to work were Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests (3:1). Eventually, Nehemiah succeeded in his mission. Note the immediate result: 1. Reading, explanation and application of Scripture (8:8) 2. Joy (8:10, 13) 3. Repentance (9:1ff) 4. Rededication (9:38ff)5. Liberality (10:35-37) 6. Witness to surrounding people (6:16). Calvary Bible Church has begun a long-overdue program of building and renovation. Our plan offers many immediate benefits: it replaces our worn-out children’s building with a bright, new facility. It increases our usable space by 25% to 38,000 square feet. It adds over 30 badly-needed parking spaces. It enhances our presence in our neighborhood. Please continue to give sacrificially and pray for the Building Ministry.