Nehemya Fights for the Poor

In keeping with his assertive political style, Nehemya’s approach to social justice differs strikingly from that of the prophets. Whereas the latter simply rebuked the people, Nehemya applies pressure against the noblemen by gathering a large crowd to protest. He also goes out of his way to ensure he is above all criticism by being extremely careful not to take advantage of the people, modeling any behavior he demands from others.

Nehemya takes a political, non-prophetic approach. He earns the king’s official endorsement. He develops relationships and alliances with princes and plebeians alike. He stirs up the people when necessary. Only then does he confront and overcome the entrenched powers.

The era of prophecy is phasing out. Although there remain a handful of prophets, new models of leadership rise to the fore. Ezra represents the scholar, a type that will flourish in the future. Nehemya, for his part, plays the role of the religiously committed political leader, who prays to God but takes every precaution to set himself up for success in the complex and thorny world of Jewish communal politics.

Nehemya’s supreme confidence leads him to transform the struggling city by building its protective boundaries, lifting its spirits and forcefully challenging the status quo. The flipside, however, is that at key moments, Nehemya seems to have allowed his extraordinary talents to go to his head, leading him to unnecessarily diminish others and promote himself. Thus the reader is reminded of the importance of humility, even, or especially, for those with outstanding leadership capacity.