Nehemiah: Change Agent for Yahweh

"...one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem."  Nehemiah 1:2

Nehemiah was God's man for a difficult time and situation.  Up until the time of this visit from the men of Judah Nehemiah's life was one of worldly success.  He enjoyed prestige and power.  There was nothing that he could not have at his disposal, and yet he had not answered his name.

This situation was changed by the visit from the delegation of Judah.  Their visit would change Nehemiah's life forever.

Notice carefully that it is Nehemiah who asked the question that contained his destiny.  Their answer contained compelling dialectical tension that burdened the heart of the king's cup-bearer.  Nehemiah would now see that his life as he knew it was under divine suspension.

The position that he had enjoyed, and the power that he had enjoyed was for this new season in his life.  Yahweh had embedded him in the king's palace, and in the king's presence for the coming strategic movement of Salvation-History regarding the walls of Jerusalem.  God had embedded his man in Persian culture and when the time came for divine action to set in motion powerful political forces to do his will, Nehemiah was raised up.

The words of the group fastened upon the soul of Nehemiah, and would not release him until he was stirred into action.  The report of the condition of Jerusalem and its walls were not mere social gossip. They did not travel 800 miles for a little chit chat.  Their journey was burdened with a message of dire purpose, and it was specifically for Nehemiah.

They brought a message to Nehemiah that when spoken unleashed a powerful vision.  The word of God was    given to the man of God who intrincically knew what to do.  Nehemiah grieved over the message that he heard.  He wept, and mourned, and he fasted, and prayed.  This word was 'dabar' for Nehemiah.  Dabar is a Hebrew word that means event or creative action.  When Nehemiah said yes to God he answered his name which means 'Yahweh Comforts.'

When an individual is overtaken by a dabar event his/her 'ordinary' life is collasped or set aside.  For instance   these words are found in Jeremiah: "The words (dabar) of Jeremiah..." Jer.1:1 

In Jeremiah the dabar denotes an event that happened to the prophet or it can mean a series of events that places the individual in a unique situation of unparalleled power or intensity.

Has Yahweh called you for a remarkable work?  Are you fearful of stepping into the milieu of divine will?  Are you hesitating because Yahweh has not revealed his complete plan to you?  Are you convicted by the condition of those around you and are troubled by the broken down lives (walls) in ruin?  Perhaps you are Yahweh's change agent for such persons.  Has Yahweh called you to be his change agent in your community?

Blessings to you.

For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please follow this blog and visit his website.