But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. [Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NLT)]

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, over ninety years had passed since the first of the exiled Jews had returned to Judah. Although the temple had been rebuilt for seventy years, Jerusalem’s city walls and gates were still in ruins. Nevertheless, within fifty-two days of his arrival, the walls were reconstructed and new gates installed. That Nehemiah managed to accomplish in less than two months what hadn’t been done in ninety years is a case study in Management 101.

Like any good leader, Nehemiah started with a plan. Knowing he needed timber, he requested access to the king’s forest and, knowing he would face opposition, he asked for letters ensuring his safe passage to Jerusalem. Upon his arrival, Nehemiah took several days to evaluate both the wall and the city’s residents. Then because Nehemiah knew both who and what he was dealing with, he knew the right approach. Rather than pointing out the exiles’ failure as might a superior, he became one with the people by using the pronouns “we” and “us.”

The priests worked near the Temple at the Sheep Gate (where sacrificial sheep entered) and continued west to the towers that served to protect the northern approach to Jerusalem and the Temple. Just as the priests repaired the area nearest the Temple (an area in which they had a vested interest), the other residents repaired the parts of the wall closest to their homes. Not only was this more efficient but, by having a personal stake in their section of the wall, it was a great incentive. The people labored to protect their own homes and businesses! Even though he was in charge, Nehemiah worked alongside the people of Jerusalem.

Like any project, however, there were difficulties! As often happens when a big project is started, discouragement set in when only half finished. Reminding them of their goal, Nehemiah assured the people that God would help them succeed and work resumed. When their neighboring enemies ridiculed, harassed, and threatened to attack them, Nehemiah reassured the people of the Lord’s protection and eased their fears by setting up a plan of defense and devising a warning system in case of an attack.

The non-stop construction work also took a financial toll on the people. During a time of famine before Nehemiah’s arrival, the poorer Judeans borrowed money from their brethren to purchase food and pay their taxes. Although the Torah prohibited a Jew charging another Jew interest, interest had been charged. Now, working from sunrise to sunset on the walls and unable to work their fields or ply their trades, they were behind in their interest payments and faced losing their property or selling their children into slavery. Nehemiah put an end to the charging of interest and demanded that previous interest payments be repaid. Finally, because Nehemiah knew the heavy financial burden the people carried, he refused to profit from his position and declined the food allowance that was his to claim. Although his enemies tried to discourage, discredit, intimidate, and even assassinate him, Nehemiah never wavered in his task.

Today’s business executives could learn from Nehemiah. He had a vision, knew both who and what it would take to accomplish the task, and recognized the obstacles he’d face in building the wall. He inspired and motivated his workers, worked alongside them, was respectful and compassionate, and used them wisely. Moreover, the security, safety, and financial needs of his workforce was important to him.

Nehemiah was a man of wisdom, courage, integrity, and determination but all of that would have come to nothing had he not also been a man of God! His leadership skills would have been meaningless without his relationship with the Lord. From the first to the last chapter of Nehemiah’s story, we find him continually in prayer. Every moment he spent leading the people of Judah, Nehemiah was following God! While that’s not usually something taught in Management 101, perhaps it should!

When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do.
[A.C. Dixon]

So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.  [Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NLT)]

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