Nehemiah: Old Testament Leader for Modern Times

Abstract

In his introduction under “Purpose of Paper,” Pastor Hein’s comments are as follows:

“When reading through the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy in the New Testament, it becomes clear that while, in general, the letter obviously communicates the sound truths about God and how they affect God’s people, the purpose of the Holy Spirit in inspiring and having canonized this letter that Paul wrote to his young ministry companion, was perhaps to establish documented practical wisdom for Christian leadership that would remain ever relevant. The same could probably be said of the Spirit preserving his Old Testament masterpiece on leadership – the Book of Nehemiah. Although the story of Nehemiah tells of the Israelites third step of return to the Promised Land from captivity in Babylon, the rebuilding of the wall to protect Jerusalem’s inhabitants, and the rededication of God’s people to the Lord, practically speaking, the theme that runs through every single episode in the book is that of godly leadership. A study of the Book of Nehemiah and an isogogical paper on it naturally then must highlight the leadership qualities and demonstrations that the book itself highlights. The following paper will seek to do such.”