Topical Bible: Godly Fear: Nehemiah

◄ Godly Fear: Nehemiah ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Godly fear, a profound reverence and respect for God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and it is particularly evident in the life and leadership of Nehemiah. As a key figure in the post-exilic period, Nehemiah's actions and decisions were deeply influenced by his fear of the Lord, which guided him in the monumental task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah's Reverence for God

Nehemiah's godly fear is first evident in his reaction to the news of Jerusalem's desolation. Upon hearing of the city's broken walls and burned gates, Nehemiah is moved to tears, fasting and praying before the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1:4). His prayer reveals a deep awareness of God's covenant and a confession of the sins of Israel, demonstrating his reverence and understanding of God's holiness and justice. Nehemiah 1:11 records his plea: "O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name."

Leadership Rooted in Fear of the Lord

Nehemiah's fear of God is further illustrated in his leadership style. When faced with opposition and threats from surrounding enemies, Nehemiah remains steadfast, encouraging the people to remember the Lord, who is great and awesome (Nehemiah 4:14). His reliance on God rather than succumbing to fear of man underscores his deep-seated reverence for the Almighty.

Moreover, Nehemiah's fear of God is evident in his ethical conduct. As governor, he refuses to exploit his position for personal gain, unlike his predecessors. Nehemiah 5:15 states, "But out of reverence for God, I did not act like that." His commitment to justice and integrity is a direct result of his godly fear, which prioritizes God's commands over worldly temptations.

Reforms and Spiritual Renewal

Nehemiah's godly fear also manifests in his dedication to spiritual renewal among the people of Israel. He leads the community in a public reading of the Law, followed by confession and worship, as recorded in Nehemiah 8 and 9. This revival is rooted in a collective acknowledgment of God's greatness and mercy, as well as a commitment to obey His commandments.

In Nehemiah 10, the people, inspired by Nehemiah's leadership, make a binding agreement to follow God's laws, emphasizing the importance of the Sabbath and the sanctity of marriage. This covenant renewal is a testament to the transformative power of godly fear, which leads to a life of obedience and devotion.

Conclusion

Nehemiah's life and leadership exemplify the essence of godly fear. His reverence for God shapes his actions, decisions, and reforms, serving as a model for believers seeking to live a life that honors the Lord. Through Nehemiah, the Bible illustrates that godly fear is not merely an emotion but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of a believer's life, leading to righteousness, justice, and spiritual renewal.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... with God is terrible majesty" (Daniel 7:28, 10:17; Nehemiah 1:5 ... whereof there is
begot and maintained in them that godly awe and ... "Let him be your fear, and let ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The First Commandment
... their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.' Nehemiah
8:6 ... and sin not.' Psalm 4:4. The wicked sin and fear not; the godly fear and sin ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the first commandment.htm

Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ...
... Fear hath made her gentler and more dignified, and hath delivered her from those
miscreants ... For the Emperor is both philanthropic and godly. ... 1730] Nehemiah 9:33 ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.htm

The Prophet Nehemiah
... the declining years of that very eminent and godly statesman ... prayer of thy servants,
who desire to fear thy name ... mark, it meant a good deal for Nehemiah to give ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... Samuel, David, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, each in succession,
bear ... that we had duly drunk into this spirit of reverence and godly fear! ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... It should be performed with godly fear and reverence. ... Isaac was taken, in vowing
to the Lord, fear his holy ... in the conduct both of Ezra and Nehemiah, and of ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby
we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."[527]. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Mongrel Religion
... Read the Book of Nehemiah, and you will see that the most bitter opponents of that
godly man were those mongrels. Their fear of God was such that they wanted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

All the Day Long
... first, the prescribed course of the godly man: "Be ... criminal; therefore, be ever in
the fear of God. Remember the strictness of Nehemiah's integrity, and how he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/all the day long.htm

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
... The gravest divines in the country think me to be godly, and can ... They must not fear
the faces of men ... As said that brave-spirited Nehemiah, Shall such a man as I ...
/.../20 exhortations to christians as.htm