Are You An Ezra Or A Nehemiah?
Would you rather listen than read? Listen here.
If We Believe…
Serving in multiple churches around the country, I have seen worship, prayer, church services, and responses to God happen in various ways. None were better or worse than another, just different. In more instances that I would like to admit I have known people get upset over someone worshipping differently than they do, or they practiced a gift in the wrong way. I have even had individuals tell me I was not a good pastor’s wife because I did not do everything to their expectations. If we believe Jesus is the son of God and is our way of salvation, the rest is icing on the cake. God gives us each a unique way of doing things and it brings out who we are in Him.
Returning From Exile
While reading through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we find two completely distinct characters who respond in opposite ways but accomplish the same goals. Ezra and Nehemiah return from exile in Babylon back to Judah. Ezra, a priest, returns to rebuild the temple and Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, returns to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.
Ezra
A previous group had already returned to Judah and began rebuilding the temple. After opposition from people who were living in the land while Judah was in exile, Ezra returns with another group of people. They begin the four-month trek with men, women, and children and lots of valuables. They proceeded as a vulnerable group through dangerous areas. Ezra acknowledges to this situation here.
“And there, by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, ‘Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.’ So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer… And the gracious hand of our God protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way.”
Ezra 8:21-23, 31 NLT
Ezra takes no one for security. He completely depends on God for His protection. He insists on the people fasting and praying for God’s help.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah responds to the same situation by asking King Artaxerxes as he served his wine, for letters addressed to the governors for each place he would travel through to get to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:7 NLT) The king also sent with him men of his army and horsemen for protection (Nehemiah 2:9 NLT).
Judah Sins
Both Ezra and Nehemiah later hear that the people have intermarried with people while in exile. Both react horrified, but the way they react is quite interesting.
Ezra Responds
“When I heard this, I tore my cloak and my shirt, pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down utterly shocked. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel came and sat with me because of this outrage committed by the returned exiles. And I sat there utterly appalled until the time of the evening sacrifice. At the time of the sacrifice, I stood up from where I had sat in mourning with my clothes torn. I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord my God.”
Ezra 9:3-5 NLT
Ezra takes this news to heart. Their actions deeply pained him. God told them not to intermarry because it would lead them to idolatry of foreign gods. Ezra prays in a way some would call travail, meaning to labor and toil. Taking on the pain and sins of the people and praying through the depths of the sin until God reveals something new. Matthew Henry says in his commentary…
“It grieved him to the heart to think that a people called by his name should so grossly violate his law, should be so little benefited by his correction, and make such bad returns for his favours.”
Matthew Henry
Nehemiah Responds
Nehemiah heard the same news, but instead of tearing his clothes and prayer, he responds in a similar but very different way.
“So I confronted them and called down curses on them. I beat some of them and pulled out their hair. I made them swear in the name of God that they would not let their children intermarry with the pagan people of the land.”
Nehemiah 13:25 NLT
His response focused outward, not inward. He wanted to show them the result of sin and get them to turn from their evil ways.
In both situations, each man got the same result. They all got to Jerusalem safely, and the people repented and turned from their sin. In today’s society, some people say that Ezra was wrong for not accepting protection when he was in charge of so many people. He was being irresponsible. While others may criticize Nehemiah for not trusting God enough.
God Give Us Unique Gifts
Both ways had the same outcome and I believe this is one of those moments that God shows us there is more than one way to do His work. The same way that God gives us unique gifts that we use differently for the same goal. He created each of us with perfect uniqueness, and each of these differences brings us together as the body of Christ. Paul teaches on this in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31. I encourage you to take the time to read it.
He created each of us with perfect uniqueness, and each of these differences brings us together as the body of Christ. Click To Tweet“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.”
1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
So when we see someone doing something different from the way we would do it, before we judge, we need to ask God to see what they are doing from His perspective.
I can say this because I have been quick to judge before and the only person it hurt was myself. If you have prayed about it and still feel it’s wrong, then I encourage you to go to them in the way Christ would and ask questions. Ask why they did what they did. Get to know them. Understand where they’re coming from.
An Invitation To See The Beauty
I also invite you to see the beauty in our uniquenesses and the way God created us. Our worship is very different. Some of us like hymns and liturgy, while others love loud contemporary music. Some choose silence and solitude, while others prefer retreats with friends. All are good and bring us closer to God in different ways.
In all of our various ways we worship, pray, or express our gifts, they should all build and strengthen His kingdom and bring Him all the glory.
Let’s Share
I would love for you to share in the comments below if relate more to Ezra or Nehemiah. Also, what unique gift has God given you?
Thank you for sharing about Ezra and Nehemiah and pointing out the differences in how they reacted to the sin of their people. I’m reminded that we should not ignore sin in others, but we must pray, reflect, and seek God’s guidance before we react. I, too, have been quick to react, at times, and made the issue much worse. Thankfully, as I have matured, I’ve gained patience, the wisdom to seek God’s guidance, and the awareness that I must speak in love, not judgement. I’ve been blessed that God has given me the gift of tolerance and compassion. Thank you for this inspiring message, Jen.
Thanks for sharing about the differences in these two men who worked on the same project. This does show us how God gives a variety of gifts to accomplish His purpose. If we all did the same thing, parts of the work would not be done.
This is good. I always wonder about my work for God’s kingdom. Am I doing it right? Am I doing enough? Shouldn’t I ……………? Your words encourage and assure me that God equips and uses us all in different ways. Let’s be true to who He created us to be. Thanks, Jen!
Very thought provoking Jennifer and eye opening. I try to always remember there are many paths to a solution not just the one I take. This helps me remember about different approaches. God can use any path to accomplish His plans.
Jen, that was a great comparison of the two approaches. Your point that God created both men with certain giftings is well-taken. We are quick to judge anything that is different as bad. That’s not always the case. I appreciate your advice to approach others like Jesus–with questions and a sincere desire to understand.