If there is anything the book of Nehemiah teaches us when it comes to living in a society which tolerates the Christian faith, it teaches us that opportunities are often rife. Yet much wisdom is needed to take hold of those opportunities. When a little wisdom is added to the mix, with the blessing of the Lord, much fruit can be expected for the kingdom of God. 

What has Nehemiah to do with faith and vocation? The character and context of Nehemiah seems so out of touch with twenty-first century living. I do not know of anyone who works, or has worked, under a king as a cupbearer. However, this application of Scripture for life and vocation is shallow. When read carefully, Nehemiah’s world has many similarities with ours, especially when it comes to faith and vocation. Nehemiah lived in a world where he had to navigate the challenge of balancing assimilation with and distinction against a pagan society. How does one act when they are a trusted employee of a pagan organization?

Once defeating the Babylonian Empire, Cyrus the Great ascended to power over the Near East in 539 B.C.E., thus introducing a new era upon many parts of the world. While surpassing the power of its predecessors, the Persian Empire differed in its organization. Assyria and Babylon were famous for exiling nations, while Cyrus and many of his successors did the very opposite, granting limited rights for some exiles to return home. The Persian kings were not opposed to other religions. One famous example is King Cyrus who, after defeating the Babylonians, did not disgrace the Babylonian gods but embraced them. He let them know that it was the will of their gods that brought the Persian empire to their midst. Due to Cyrus’ “style” of ruling, some scholars have even gone as far to call him a polytheist. But even if we were not to go that far, it cannot be denied that those who lived under the auspices of the Persian Empire had some form of religious freedom; one could say, an ancient form of religious freedom.

Through this short summary of Nehemiah’s context, I hope we can begin to draw some similarities between us and the ancient world ruled by an organization that was not necessarily hostile to faith, but at the same time was not wholly for it. Moreover, Nehemiah found himself not only living in this world, but also working under one its kings: King Artaxerxes, the fifth king after Cyrus.

So how does Nehemiah navigate his faith and vocation in a context that is not necessarily hostile to his beliefs? Nehemiah has several different priorities that stand over his job, but how does he work them out before the king of the known world?

The book’s narrative makes its priorities obvious. There is no doubt that Nehemiah’s job as a cupbearer is important (Nehemiah 1:11); his job is the reason why he has access to the king. However, when taking a closer look at the sequencing of the events, the book of Nehemiah portrays the sorry state of Jerusalem as the greatest issue at stake. In the words of Hanani, “[t]he remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire” (Neh. 1:3). A slightly oversimplified way of putting this is that the book seeks first the kingdom of God.

Nehemiah grieves at this news. He then gets up to pray (Neh. 1:4–11). Only after this precursor is it revealed that Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king, as if that component of the story was secondary detail. Nehemiah’s vocation and his role is not unimportant. However, it exists within the greater purposes of God’s will.

So, with the issue present in the mind of our protagonist and his status revealed, Nehemiah prepares for action.

Scripture here is not making the case that every single Christian should now take matters into their own hands by finding a way, by any means possible, to find an audience with their king, prime minister, or president. That opportunity is afforded to some. It is no coincidence that Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king; a role that would have required much training and trust. However, while knowing the risk it played to his job and future, Nehemiah makes plans to speak to the king.

Charging into the palace and demanding leave would have left Nehemiah jobless and likely headless. As generous as the Persian kings could be, they also showed a remarkable brutality to those who abused the empire’s “graces.” Nehemiah knew this. So, it is not surprising that Nehemiah prays fervently to God,

“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” (Neh. 1:11).

Nehemiah understands that his life could be at stake, but he also knows that his fate is ultimately in the hands of God. Thus, Nehemiah begins with prayer. But praying is not the only thing Nehemiah does.

Being a cupbearer to the king meant that Nehemiah had ready access to the king. We are not sure if he had open access, but he had more access than none. Yet even with permission to stand before the king, Nehemiah plans his steps out meticulously. This is not very clear on the surface, so it needs some explanation.

We read that Nehemiah initially inspected the state of the walls in the month of Chislev (Neh. 1:1) which is around December, yet we are told that Nehemiah approaches the king about this issue in the month of Nisan which is around February or March. This suggests that Nehemiah did not say anything for 3 to 4 months. However, his waiting was intentional, which leads us to the second point.

What seems to be taking place in Nehemiah 2 is some kind of festivity. Scholars have pointed to different possibilities, but at the end of the day the author of Ezra-Nehemiah leaves it ambiguous. We know, however, that the occasion was important and intimate due to the presence of the queen. Royal women of the Persian court were rarely seen in public; honour was built through invisibility in the Achaemenid empire. If you ever wondered why queen Vashti in the book of Esther was upset when told to display herself to King Ahasuerus’ guests, her desire to stay invisible may be the reason why. Nonetheless, the queen’s presence indicates the intimacy and importance of the occasion. Additionally, the ancient author Herodotus wrote that during certain festivities it was Persian custom for the king to be extremely generous, “on that day no one should be refused a request.”[1] Whether or not this happened, we are not so sure. But one thing is not impossible: the combination of a glamourous party and the finest wines would increase the likelihood of a requests being answered.

This by no means is licence for the Christian to make use of drunkard individuals, despite their extravagant power and wealth. What Nehemiah does is to capture an opportune time and context. Would it have been wise for Nehemiah to request a rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem while the king is drawing up war strategies with his generals against a rebellious vassal state? Probably not. However, to request something difficult when the king is happy and with his queen is strategic.

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