Neh 1:2 | KingComments | STEP | The reason for Nehemiah’s work is not a voice from heaven or a miraculous apparition. The reason is an ordinary event: Nehemiah is visited by his brother and some men from Judah. Nehemiah seizes this exquisite opportunity to get current news about the situation there. He wants to know how the Jews and the city of Jerusalem are doing. Nehemiah’s question shows his great interest in the situation of the remnant of the people of God. Nehemiah has a responsible task in the palace of the king ( ). He occupies an influential position. However, this is not what concerns him. His interest is not in the expansion of the Persian Empire and increasing his influence in it. He does not take advantage of his brother’s visit to tell him about his magnificent position and his chances of promotion. Nor does he want to be updated by his brother on all kinds of family matters. While performing his earthly activities, his heart goes out to those who had returned from Babylon to the promised land. In direct connection with this, he also asks about the city of Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God. Through this he shows that he has the same spirit as Moses, whose heart also went out to his people, to seek them out and set them free ( ). Moses also gave up a prominent place for this. The question may be asked of our interest in receiving visitors from another country. Are we curious about the beautiful nature, the building of houses, prosperity and the like, or about the situation of God’s children and how the church is doing as God’s house? Some lessons 1. The reason for doing a work for the Lord often lies in everyday events. The way in which we react often reveals what our real interest is. A comment, a visit, a letter, an event (birth, death, accident), and much more, are all tests that reveal our real interests. They can cause our life to take a radical turn. 2. Someone who is truly open to the will of God is interested in every member of His people and in His dwelling place, the church. He does not care about a position in the world. He is prepared, if the Lord asks, to give it up.

‏ Nehemiah 1:2

Visit From Jerusalem

The reason for Nehemiah’s work is not a voice from heaven or a miraculous apparition. The reason is an ordinary event: Nehemiah is visited by his brother and some men from Judah. Nehemiah seizes this exquisite opportunity to get current news about the situation there. He wants to know how the Jews and the city of Jerusalem are doing.

Nehemiah’s question shows his great interest in the situation of the remnant of the people of God. Nehemiah has a responsible task in the palace of the king (Neh 1:11). He occupies an influential position. However, this is not what concerns him. His interest is not in the expansion of the Persian Empire and increasing his influence in it. He does not take advantage of his brother’s visit to tell him about his magnificent position and his chances of promotion. Nor does he want to be updated by his brother on all kinds of family matters.

While performing his earthly activities, his heart goes out to those who had returned from Babylon to the promised land. In direct connection with this, he also asks about the city of Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God. Through this he shows that he has the same spirit as Moses, whose heart also went out to his people, to seek them out and set them free (Acts 7:23). Moses also gave up a prominent place for this.

The question may be asked of our interest in receiving visitors from another country. Are we curious about the beautiful nature, the building of houses, prosperity and the like, or about the situation of God’s children and how the church is doing as God’s house?

Some lessons

1. The reason for doing a work for the Lord often lies in everyday events. The way in which we react often reveals what our real interest is. A comment, a visit, a letter, an event (birth, death, accident), and much more, are all tests that reveal our real interests. They can cause our life to take a radical turn.

2. Someone who is truly open to the will of God is interested in every member of His people and in His dwelling place, the church. He does not care about a position in the world. He is prepared, if the Lord asks, to give it up.