Lesson Material

Phase 8 COMPLETION

How to Gain and Guard the Victory

Nehemiah 6:15–7:73

The Great Wall of China is undoubtedly one of history’s most iconic and impressive architectural feats. Spanning over 13,000 miles, this monumental structure winds through rugged terrain, majestic mountains, and picturesque valleys, making it a breathtaking sight. It can even be seen from outer space.

Its numerous walls were built over two millennia across northern China and southern Mongolia. Construction of the Great Wall began during the Qin Dynasty in the 7th century BCE. The initial sections of the wall were built using earth and wood, but it wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that the wall was fortified with bricks and stone. Millions of laborers, soldiers, and prisoners constructed this massive barrier designed to protect the Chinese Empire from invasions by nomadic tribes and hostile forces.

The significance of the Great Wall in ancient China cannot be overstated. It was a formidable defense system, fortifying the empire’s northern borders and safeguarding its people from external threats. Beyond its military function, the wall also facilitated trade, communication, and cultural exchange between different regions of China.

In addition to its historical and cultural importance, the Great Wall has also become a symbol of the Chinese people’s resilience, unity, and national pride. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of past generations, inspiring awe and admiration in all who behold its majesty.

If you compare the wall around Jerusalem with the Great Wall of China, it may not seem that impressive. But if we factor in the fact that the Jerusalem wall was constructed in just 52 days with far fewer people, the feat is just as impressive.

We have been amazed by this great accomplishment as we have followed the action presented in Nehemiah’s journals. It was incredible that Artaxerxes even allowed him to leave Babylon, much less give him supplies and credentials. It was astonishing that Nehemiah could motivate a population of discouraged Israelites to join him in what appeared to be an impossible project. Seeing how Nehemiah mobilized the workers and organized the tasks was impressive. Seeing how he dealt with fierce opponents, internal division, and numerous other obstacles was breathtaking. But despite the obstacles, God gave Nehemiah and his partners success.

Mission Accomplished! Those two words fill our hearts with celebration. We honor people who have won battles, climbed peaks, discovered new lands, and accomplished other missions throughout history. We think back through our lives and relive the victories we have personally experienced. And we are excited about Nehemiah accomplishing his great project of rebuilding the walls.

In this chapter, we are going to look at three components:

• SUCCESS – achieving the victory with God’s help
• SECURITY – guarding the victory through godly leaders
• SIGNIFICANCE – capitalizing the victory for God’s people

 SUCCESS – ACHIEVING THE VICTORY WITH GOD’S HELP (6:15-16)

 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

 Throughout this series, we have seen that God is the One who gives success. Success is not something we achieve as much as something we receive. It is God’s gift.

“Give your servant success today…” Nehemiah 1:11

“The God of Heaven will give us success…” Nehemiah 2:20

Mission Impossible became Mission Accomplished because it was God’s Mission! The victory belonged to God, and not only did the Israelites see this, but so did the enemy, and they were the ones who lost their courage and confidence.

So, God did it, and He deserves all the glory. But we are quick to see that He did it through His people. And special recognition should be given to Nehemiah.

Why wasn’t the job done more than a century before? The Jews all saw the problem. They all felt fear and disgrace. They all wanted the walls to be rebuilt. But none of them got past the place of wishing the walls were rebuilt. God’s help was available to them, but they accomplished nothing.

It took a godly man to stand up and pray, “Give ME success!”

Will you be that kind of person? Will you be a Nehemiah?

What made Nehemiah so successful? Nehemiah was used greatly because he had a special blend of Spiritual Qualities and Strategic Methods.

Nehemiah’s Spiritual Qualities

Review the past six chapters and remind yourself of what you greatly admired about Nehemiah. Make a list. Here’s some of mine:

1. Faith in God: Nehemiah demonstrated a deep reliance on God throughout his journey to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 2:4, he prayed before approaching King Artaxerxes for permission to return to Jerusalem. This reliance on God’s guidance and strength is a powerful example of how we can seek God’s guidance in all our endeavors. Nehemiah trusted God’s sovereignty and providence, believing God would uphold and protect His people. In Nehemiah 4:20, he reminded the people to trust in God’s power. This trust in God’s faithfulness reminds us to trust the Lord and His promises for our lives.
2. Prayerfulness: Nehemiah’s commitment to prayer was evident throughout the book as he sought God’s guidance and protection. In Nehemiah 1:4, he fasted and prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem. And then we see him praying again and again and again.
3. Humility: Nehemiah exhibited humility in his leadership by acknowledging his faults and shortcomings. In Nehemiah 1:6, he confessed the sins of the Israelites, including his own, before God. This spirit of humility reminds us to approach God with a repentant heart and seek His forgiveness.
4. Vision: Nehemiah had a clear vision for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and inspired others to share in his vision. In Nehemiah 2:17, he outlined his vision for the reconstruction effort. This visionary leadership encourages us to have a clear purpose and direction in our spiritual journey.
5. Leadership: Nehemiah demonstrated strong leadership qualities in organizing and motivating the people to work together towards a common goal. In Nehemiah 4:14, he rallied the people to defend their city against their enemies. This leadership style emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation in achieving big goals.
6. Perseverance: As he faced opposition and obstacles, Nehemiah displayed unwavering perseverance in completing the task God had him. In Nehemiah 4:6, he encouraged the people to continue rebuilding the walls despite threats from their enemies. His endurance reminds us to stay committed to our spiritual journey even in the face of challenges.
7. Courage: Nehemiah displayed courage in the face of opposition and threats from his enemies. In Nehemiah 6, he refused to be intimidated by his adversaries. This courage emboldens us to stand firm in our faith and not be swayed by fear.
8. Faithfulness: Nehemiah remained faithful to God’s calling despite facing various challenges and setbacks. In Nehemiah 6:11, he refused to be lured into deception by his enemies. This faithfulness to God’s purpose is a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving God.
9. Compassion: Nehemiah showed compassion towards the suffering of his people and worked to alleviate their hardships. In Nehemiah 5:10, he rebuked the nobles for exploiting the poor. This compassion towards the marginalized reminds us to show kindness and empathy towards those in need.
10. Integrity: Nehemiah maintained his integrity amid temptation and pressure. In Nehemiah 5:15, he refused to profit from his position of authority. This commitment to moral uprightness is a model for us to live with honesty and integrity in all our dealings.
11. Generosity: He fed about 150 guests daily at his home without even taking the stipends he deserved. This was no potluck; there were heaping meat plates from oxen, birds, and sheep. And if you timed your visit well, you even got fine wine.
12. Gratitude: Nehemiah expressed gratitude towards God for His faithfulness and provision throughout the rebuilding process. In Nehemiah 6:16, he attributed the successful completion of the walls to God’s help. This attitude of gratitude encourages us to cultivate a thankful heart towards God for His blessings in our lives.

That was my list of a dozen spiritual traits about Nehemiah that I admire. Surely, you came up with many more. However, the key thing to remember is that God loves to use those who are holy and committed to him. Before we do anything else, we must ensure our hearts are right with Him. All our natural talents, learned skills, and material resources would be fruitless without the filling of the Holy Spirit. And that is only available to those wholly devoted to our Master.

Nehemiah’s Strategic Methods

After you ensure you are a spiritual leader walking with God, use the wisdom and principles God gives to act strategically. Let’s review the success process demonstrated by Nehemiah. They give us an outline of his tactical plans.

Phase #1 – PASSION. You will ignite your passion when you 1) get close to people and explore their difficult situations and 2) get close to God and embrace his helpful solutions.

Phase #2 – INTERCESSION. Prepare for your mission with wholehearted prayer and planning. Then, wait for God to provide the resources to deal with any obstacles in your path.

Phase #3 – PROMOTION. For your ministry to take off, you must raise resources and ministry partners. Believing this is God’s project, be bold in your “requesting and recruiting.”

Phase #4 – MOBILIZATION. Now, it is time to organize and mobilize people for maximum productivity. Organize your project into achievable tasks that are divided, defined, distributed, and dedicated. Mobilize your workers by forming cohesive teams that are incentivized, optimized, supervised, and recognized.

Phase #5 – FORTIFICATION. You can expect great opposition when you are part of one of God’s great projects. With each new wave of attack, you will want to defend yourself through prayer and a renewed dedication to keep on task.

Phase #6 – MEDIATION. Your mission will not only have to withstand external opposition but also handle internal division. Leaders must care for victims, transform offenders, and exemplify sacrificial service—these peace-making skills foster reconciliation and unity.

Phase #7 – PROTECTION. The enemy’s strategy is to distract, discourage, and discredit the leader. Resist all accusations and temptations and give the battle to the Lord.

Phase #8 – COMPLETION. Gain the victory through God’s power and guard it with godly leaders and wise policies.

A spiritual, strategic leader walking by God’s call will experience God’s success.

SECURITY – GUARDING THE VICTORY THROUGH GODLY LEADERS

Gaining a victory is wonderful, but it is not enough. That victory must now be guarded. If we are not careful, conquests will be temporary.

During the Battle of 1812 in America, Major General Robert Ross led his British forces to victory in the Battle of Bladensburg. That, in turn, allowed them to conquer and occupy Washington City. They set fire to many public buildings, including the White House and the Capitol. American history would have been different if they could have held the city. But while they were strong enough to capture our capital, they weren’t strategic enough to hold it. After twenty-six hours, it was once again under American control.

There were still enemies without and within, so Nehemiah had to be on guard (6:17-19)

¹⁷ Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. ¹⁸ For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shekaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. ¹⁹ Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Tobiah, Nehemiah’s wily enemy, had formed alliances with the nobles of Judah through marriages and oaths, thus creating a network of support for himself within the Jewish community. The political maneuvering was aimed at undermining Nehemiah’s authority and disrupting his leadership in Israel. Using letters to communicate and manipulate were crafty diplomatic strategies employed to strengthen Tobiah’s influence.

The actions of Tobiah and the nobles of Judah serve as a reminder of the challenges and obstacles that often arise when one seeks to do God’s work in a fallen world. Nehemiah could see through Tobiah’s deception and intimidation tactics and stay faithful to his calling.

The example of Nehemiah serves as a model for us to rely on God’s strength and wisdom in the face of adversity and remain vigilant against the enemy’s schemes. It also shows us that we can never let our guard down. Even after great victories, we must guard ourselves against further attacks from the dark side.

Nehemiah made precautions to guard Jerusalem (7:1-3)

7 ¹After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. ² I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. ³ I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.” 

Nehemiah guarded the victory by appointing spiritual people and adopting strategic policies. In this passage, Nehemiah demonstrates excellent leadership by delegating responsibilities to trusted individuals qualified for their specific roles. Nehemiah begins by appointing gatekeepers, singers, and Levites.

The gatekeepers ensured the city’s security by opening and closing the gates and supervising who could enter. They were professional security guards.

The singers and Levites oversaw public worship and stimulated the community’s spiritual life. The walls were not rebuilt so the people of Jerusalem could merely marvel at their architectural magnificence; they were rebuilt so they could worship God with greater glory and freedom than ever before.

Nehemiah then selects Hanani and Hananiah as overseers of Jerusalem. Nehemiah trusted them to oversee the city because of their ethical and spiritual values.

Hananni, Nehemiah’s brother, was the one who first told him about the sad situation in Jerusalem (1:2). Ever since, these brothers had been zealous ministry partners. This selection wasn’t nepotism; Hanani’s faith, initiative, and passion made him well-qualified to govern.

Hananiah is described as a faithful and God-fearing man, indicating his strong character and reliability. He most likely had past expertise as a leader, but the qualities listed demonstrate the most important credential of any person you appoint to an office: spiritual maturity.

In the New Testament, instructions are given regarding the selection of elders and deacons. Jump over to Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus and read the list of qualifications for these roles. They primarily deal with their Christian maturity, not their skills, training, or experience. Godly character is always the most important requirement for leadership.

On one teaching trip to India, I was escorted to a mountain village to preach at a large, beautiful church. At one point, missionaries had made such inroads into the area that most of the region had become “Christianized.” And now most of the people in town attended this church. After the wonderful service, I met with the pastor and discovered one major problem in their midst. Because the town and the church had become so blended, there was a tendency to vote in pillars of the town or family leaders into the office of deacon. Since many of these people had minimal Christian commitment, the spiritual health and vitality of the congregation had become compromised and diminished.

Let’s say it again: godly character is always the most important requirement for leadership.

Nehemiah’s instructions to keep the gates closed until the sun is hot and appoint guards from Jerusalem’s inhabitants further demonstrate his wisdom and strategic planning. By implementing these measures, Nehemiah ensured the security and safety of the city against potential threats.

SIGNIFICANCE – CAPITALIZING THE VICTORY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE (7:4-73)

This chapter shows that rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls was the prelude to the city’s restoration. Zion would be revived! When God allows you to complete a great project, prepare for the next one! Now that the wall was finished, it was time to repopulate Jerusalem, restore their religious systems, and bring about spiritual revitalization. What is your next project?

People had not been living in Jerusalem because it was vulnerable to attack (7:4). The small population rendered it more vulnerable than it would have been with the city full of people. Nehemiah proposed a plan to increase the population and, consequently, the security and significance of Jerusalem (11:1-2)

The focus shifts to the genealogical records of the people who returned to Jerusalem from exile. These records include the names of the heads of families, the number of people in each family, and the towns they settled in. This genealogical record provided a detailed account of the people returning to Jerusalem and ensured they were properly registered and organized according to their families and societal roles.

Nehemiah 7:4-73 lists the genealogy of the Israelites who returned from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Sheshbazzar, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua in 537 B.C. Though the total number of returnees was 49,942, the writer mentions 31,089 individuals in this chapter.

The genealogy mentioned in these verses reflects the continuity of the Israelite community and their connection to their ancestors. This genealogy established the legitimacy and purity of the returning exiles, ensuring that only those who could trace their family lineage back to the Israelites were allowed to repopulate the city. These names serve to connect the present generation with their ancestors and to establish their rightful place in the community. The mention of the Levites and priests highlights the importance of religious leadership in restoring Jerusalem.

The genealogy also highlights God’s faithfulness in redeeming his people and fulfilling his promises to them. In his commentary on Nehemiah, David Guzik notes that this genealogy “assured the continued connection to the promises of God, which were passed down through the generations.”

Furthermore, the detailed genealogy also highlights the diversity and unity of the community returning to Jerusalem. Different families and occupations are listed, showing various skills and roles. This diversity, combined with the organization provided by genealogy, helped strengthen the community and ensure that each individual had a part to play in rebuilding Jerusalem.

After the genealogy is studied, the people are registered. Why? Because people are important, and God accomplished this task for the good of His people.

Great Things He Hath Done

The wall was finished, and God’s people could now enter and take residence. Nehemiah 6:16 says, “This work was done by our God.” God does great work, doesn’t He? But the greatest thing the Lord ever did was on a hill outside Jerusalem. It was there that our Lord was crucified. And Christ cried, “It is finished!”

Many of the Jews in Jerusalem got their name in the Bible! That was wonderful for them. But here is something more wonderful for you. God gave His Son on the cross for you so your name could be in the Lamb’s Book of Life. If it is, you are guaranteed future residence in the “New Jerusalem.” If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, your name is in the book, and your future is in glory. Praise the Lord!

To God be the Glory

by Fanny Crosby

To God be the glory, great things He hath done,

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!

Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.