Nehemiah's Servant Leadership

The challenge of leadership is an ever present need in the world. From the time of existence of the first man Adam, there has been a leadership gap that has always needed to be filled. God has had his way of ensuring that leadership for his people were effective, and in cases where there was a failure, he provided a way for restorative servant leadership. One example is the leadership of Nehemiah, who was a restorative leader displayed in the old testament. Nehemiah demonstrates servant leadership, which will be elaborated in this paper. The starting point in Nehemiah’s leadership is first brought out in Nehemiah 1:2-3. Nehemiah is one of the exiles who happen to serve in the King’s palace in Persia. Serving in King Xerxes palace makes

Naturally, for people like Nehemiah who had access to the powers that could help him rebuild the city, the first thing would be to develop a plan how to rebuild the city. Nehemiah’s plan is to put his faith into action. He does this through prayer and fasting for the city of Jerusalem. This is a total dependence on God, and not on one’s capabilities. He tells the people of how God had been upon him, this draws their confidence in God who has blessed him (Nehemiah 2:18). Moreover, Nehemiah’s humility is proven by how he carries himself while at Jerusalem. Nehemiah chose to analyze the city walls at night, without letting any person know (Nehemiah 2:11-16). Total dependence on God as a sign of servant leadership is exemplified when one knows what God expects of the people he is leading, and his promises to them, and he chooses to pursue the mission for the sake of the people of

This is incarnational leadership where the leader chooses to become part of the followers and has a heart for them. Such leadership is seen in Nehemiah’s life through how he chooses to handle the entire issue of Jerusalem. Nehemiah identifies with the danger of the demolished walls and sees the problem that caused the walls to be destroyed (Nehemiah 2:17). He is also compassionate towards the condition of the Jews and chooses to help. The first indication of his support is in his prayer of repentance and intercession for sins of the Israelites and the city of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:5-11). He included himself in his prayer to God expressing that all of the people have sinned, including himself. Nehemiah even puts his life in danger to become part of the solution to the city of Jerusalem. Chapter two tells us how he approached the king, knowing uncertainty that came with taking such a bold move to tell the king of their troubles (Nehemiah 2:3). The rebuilding of the city is something that could be accomplished by letting others do the work. He, however, oversees the project himself. Throughout the entire book, Nehemiah identifies with the problems of the city and offers to be part of the solution. Such incarnation of the leader is fitting in servant