Leadership from Nehemiah

A long time ago I heard an Elder say about another Elder… “He’s the perfect government inspector; he identifies problems but never does anything to solve them.”

It’s easy to identify a problem or to offer criticism. However, it is far more virtuous and beneficial to not only recognize a problem but to take personal responsibility for the correction of the problem… like Nehemiah.

Consider Nehemiah, he was a Jew with an official position in the court of the Persian Empire which dominated the world at the time. He was the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes II and his queen. That meant he tasted the wine to make sure it wasn’t poisoned. He was with King Artaxerxes every day.

Nehemiah had a great concern for his homeland, a homeland he had never seen. He made inquiry about Jerusalem and learned that the city walls were still broken down and the people were downcast and dejected. It troubled him deeply and he spent four months in prayer about it and prepared himself for the opportunity to do something about it. When that opportunity came with King Artaxerxes, he identified the problem, offered a time frame for its completion, requested letters for travel and materials and got an armed escort.

Whether we have problems in the congregation, the home or the work place don’t make the mistake of being critical without offering well thought out remedies and personal involvement. The world is full of critics.

From Wikipedia…
A cup-bearer was an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty it was to serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold this position. He must guard against poison in the king's cup, and was sometimes required to swallow some of the wine before serving it. His confidential relations with the king often gave him a position of great influence. The position of cup bearer is greatly valued and given to only a select few throughout history. Qualifications for the job were not held lightly but of high esteem valued for their beauty and even more for their modesty, industriousness and courage.