[Leadership style of Nehemiah 10]
1 NOW all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.
2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.
3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; AND THE EARS OF ALL THE PEOPLE WERE ATTENTIVE TO THE BOOK OF THE LAW."
Nehemiah 8:1-3 (NKJV)
• The Importance of the Word of God cannot be overemphasized.
- The souls of the people would grow lean when they are famished; deprived, or kept from having, the Word of God (Acts 20:28).
- God programmed the heart of humans for worship—to worship their Creator.
If people did not hear the Word of God, they are not fed with good teaching of the Word, they would be emaciated spiritually (1 Timothy 4:13,16; 2 Timothy 2:15). - Make the Word of God clear to the people and help them to understand it.
- How: Pray that God will give them an understanding heart, Spirit of wisdom be given to them, that their eyes of understanding be enlightened, and that revelation in the knowledge of Him be given to them:
17 THAT the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may GIVE to you THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, 18 THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17,18 NKJV).
• Feed your people with the Word of God. Teach them regularly:
"THEY READ from the BOOK of the Law of God AND CLEARLY EXPLAINED THE MEANING OF WHAT WAS BEING READ, helping the people UNDERSTAND EACH PASSAGE" (Nehemiah 8:8 NLT).
- You can also invite other ministers of God to teach some subjects which you could not handle properly.
- Note:
(a) It is the Word of God that stabilizes the people, builds up, and causes to be steadfast in Faith.
(b) The Word would help the people not to stray, deviate from the established limits, and depart from the truth—the path of righteousness.
(c) The Word of God also fortifies the people, causes them to be resilient in adversities.
(d) It serves as "shock-absorbers" to them.
(e) The Word keeps them focus, and heavenly minded in their Christian journeys.
(f) The teaching of the Word of God makes the people responsible in the Kingdom—in the house or vineyard of God (Ephesians 4:12-16).
(g) It makes them to be committed and dedicated to the things of God—Kingdom assignment.
• It is only the Word of God that can convict a person of his or her Sins, and transform through the renewal of mind:
"THEN Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” FOR THE PEOPLE HAD ALL BEEN WEEPING AS THEY LISTENED TO THE WORDS OF THE LAW" (Nehemiah 8:9 NLT).
- Nothing changes or transforms a person like the Word of God:
(a) The Word brings healings to the souls of the people (Proverbs 4:22; Luke 5:17).
(b) It brings godly sorrow that leads to repentance:
"FOR THE KIND OF SORROW GOD WANTS US TO EXPERIENCE LEADS US AWAY FROM SIN AND RESULTS IN SALVATION. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT). - The teaching of the Word of God makes the people strong and healthy—both spiritually and physically.
• Teach your people.
- Many believers are suffering from spiritual malnutrition and starvation.
- Many are not being fed at all, and a good number of those who claimed to be fed, were not fed with balanced spiritual diet—teaching.
- The primary assignment of a leader, who does love God WHO has called him or her, is to feed the people under their leadership with the Word of God:
15 SO when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." HE SAID TO HIM, "FEED MY LAMBS."
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." HE SAID TO HIM, "TEND MY SHEEP."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." JESUS SAID TO HIM, "FEED MY SHEEP" (John 21:15-17 NKJV).
• Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).
- Lead the people to repentance after they have been convicted of their sins through the Word of God:
37 NOW WHEN THEY HEARD THIS, THEY WERE CUT TO THE HEART, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “MEN AND BRETHREN, WHAT SHALL WE DO?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “ REPENT, and LET every one of you be BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS; and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. 39 FOR the PROMISE IS TO YOU and to your CHILDREN, and to ALL who are AFAR OFF, as MANY as the Lord our God will CALL" (Acts 2:37,38 NKJV).
Read: Romans 10:9,10 - Encourage them to live or walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Whatever is contrary to your health is rebuked in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- Your health is restored fully in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED