Topical Bible: Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Nehemiah, in his Reform of the Public Administration

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Nehemiah stands as a prominent figure in the Old Testament, exemplifying the fear of God through his leadership and reformative actions in the public administration of Jerusalem. His account is primarily chronicled in the Book of Nehemiah, where his reverence for God is evident in his dedication to restoring the walls of Jerusalem and reforming the community according to God's laws.

Nehemiah's fear of God is first demonstrated in his reaction to the news of Jerusalem's desolation. Upon hearing of the city's broken walls and gates, Nehemiah is deeply moved and turns to God in prayer and fasting. Nehemiah 1:4 states, "When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven." This response highlights his dependence on God and his recognition of divine sovereignty over the affairs of Israel.

As Nehemiah embarks on the mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, his fear of God is further manifested in his leadership style. He consistently seeks God's guidance and protection, as seen in Nehemiah 2:4 , where he prays to the God of heaven before making his request to King Artaxerxes. This reliance on prayer underscores his belief that success is contingent upon divine favor.

Nehemiah's fear of God also influences his approach to governance and reform. Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, he quickly identifies and addresses the social injustices and economic exploitation occurring among the people. In Nehemiah 5:9 , he confronts the nobles and officials, saying, "What you are doing is not right. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?" Here, Nehemiah appeals to the fear of God as a moral compass, urging the leaders to act justly and righteously.

Moreover, Nehemiah's personal conduct reflects his fear of God. Despite being appointed as governor, he refuses to exploit his position for personal gain. Nehemiah 5:15 records, "But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God, I did not act like that." Nehemiah's decision to forgo the governor's allowance demonstrates his commitment to serving God and the people with integrity.

Nehemiah's reforms extend to religious practices, as he leads the people in renewing their covenant with God. In Nehemiah 8, he organizes the public reading of the Law, leading to a national revival and a renewed commitment to God's commandments. This act of communal repentance and dedication is a testament to Nehemiah's desire to align the nation with God's will, driven by his profound fear of the Lord.

In summary, Nehemiah's fear of God is conspicuously evident in his prayerful dependence, ethical leadership, and commitment to justice and righteousness. His actions in reforming the public administration of Jerusalem serve as a powerful example of how the fear of God can guide and transform both individual lives and entire communities.

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Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
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Memoir of John Bunyan
... to cloud this light, or to tarnish so conspicuous an example ... punishment, and not
from that love to God which leads the Christian to the fear of offending ...
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