Today I read Nehemiah 2, where Nehemiah’s sadness was noticed and addressed by Artaxerxes to the benefit of Jerusalem and the people. Today I considered how God places his people in key places to make a difference, sometimes in dangerous positions next to those in authority.
Nehemiah’s Request and Inspection of the Walls
Nehemiah went from serving Artaxerxes to being determined to build for God (Nehemiah 2:1-20). Nehemiah looked unusually sad when he took wine to king Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes noticed and asked what was wrong. Nehemiah explained about his father’s town, Jerusalem. When asked what Nehemiah wanted, Nehemiah prayed and asked to build the town. Artaxerxes agreed. Nehemiah asked for governors to escort him to Judah and permission to cut wood from the king’s forest. Nehemiah was sent with military captains to Judah. Sanballat and Tobiah were upset because Nehemiah arrived to check on the people of Jerusalem. Nehemiah and some men with him conducted secret night tours to view all the destruction in Jerusalem. Nehemiah talked to them about the need to rebuild, the distress of the people, God being with him, and the king being for him. They agreed. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem made fun of them but Nehemiah replied that God was with them.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God put Nehemiah in position right next to a person in power with authority. Nehemiah’s position was important to king Artaxerxes because he tasted the wine for poison before Artaxerxes drank it. This was not a position many people would want. Nehemiah’s job could be dangerous if someone wanted to kill the king. Artaxerxes noticed Nehemiah because Nehemiah’s health could indicate whether his food was poisoned. Nehemiah in this dangerous job gained Artaxerxes’ favor and contributed to God’s kingdom.
Who do you know that is doing work you would not want to do, but their position gives them access to someone in power so they could promote God’s kingdom?