“Nehemiah Was A Cupbearer…“
[By Cameron Piner]

There was a man in 444 B.C. who was not very different from us in 2022 (A.D). He had a job (like us), he had various talents (like we do), he loved God’s people (hopefully we do too), and he heard about people who were suffering (that seems to happen daily for us). This man used his position, his skills, and his resources to serve the Lord and His people. Maybe we can learn from him to use our positions, skills, and resources to serve the Lord and His people. This man was named, Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a cupbearer…

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… to the king. – In Nehemiah chapter 1, after Nehemiah finds out about the destroyed walls of Jerusalem, he prays for four months. In this prayer, Nehemiah has this request: “…make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man…” (Neh. 1:11, NASB). Nehemiah saw a need, but it was far from where he lived. Nevertheless, he didn’t sit back and do nothing. Not only did he pray that God would help, but he prayed that God would allow him to be part of the solution. But what could Nehemiah do? Nehemiah didn’t have the supplies, the available time, the skillset, or even live near the problem. Nevertheless, Nehemiah used what he did have for the Lord. Nehemiah used his connections to enable him to help God’s people. We may not be cupbearer to the king, but we might have connections. Maybe we don’t have the required resources to help, but we know someone who does. Maybe we don’t live close enough, but someone we know might. Nehemiah prayerfully used his connections for the Lord, and we can too.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… with an opportunity. – In chapter 2, the king asked Nehemiah, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick?” (Neh. 2:2, NASB). Nehemiah was in an awkward and dangerous position, but he also had an opportunity. Nehemiah paused to pray, then courageously used his opportunity to serve the Lord. We too can prayerfully and courageously use our opportunities for the Lord.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… with leadership abilities. – A lot can be learned about leadership from a character study on Nehemiah (there are whole books on it), but Nehemiah’s job as a cupbearer wouldn’t necessarily make someone think of him having great leadership abilities. Maybe he paid attention and learned during his time around the king. Maybe we can learn from leaders around us. Maybe this was always a hidden talent of Nehemiah’s, which was revealed when he used it. What hidden talents might be revealed in us when we use them? Or maybe this was always a strength in Nehemiah. One way or another, he prayerfully used his skill in leadership many times for the Lord, and we can too.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… with support. – Nehemiah didn’t try to accomplish the task all alone, but he rallied the people in Jerusalem, and they said: “Let us arise and build” (Neh. 2:18). Chapter 3 is full of names of people who worked on the wall. Nehemiah used the support that he had to serve the Lord, and we can too.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… not a mason. – Nehemiah’s expertise was NOT in building walls. He wasn’t a bricklayer or a mason. Nevertheless, Nehemiah had hands, tools, strength, and determination. So, Nehemiah got out of his comfort zone, and worked for the Lord. We might not be especially trained for a specific need, but we have hands, tools, strength, mouths, etc. We can also get out of our comfort zone and work for the Lord.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… with people watching. – When Tobiah mocked them (ch. 4), people were watching to see how Nehemiah would respond. When Nehemiah instructed people to care for their brethren (ch. 5), people were watching to see how Nehemiah treated people. When Sanballat tried to distract and discredit him (ch.6), people were watching to see what he would do. When people were gathered in the street and Nehemiah stepped up to speak (8:9), people were watching. When they wrote an agreement of confession and people began to sign it (chs. 9-10), people were watching to see who would sign it first. Today, we might not be as publicly viewed as Nehemiah, but people are watching. The youth are watching and being influenced. The older are watching for inspiration and encouragement. The people of the world are watching for any misstep. What will they see? Nehemiah used his influence to serve the Lord. People saw Nehemiah respond in prayer (4:4, 9). People saw Nehemiah’s good example (5:14-19). People saw Nehemiah dedicate the day to the LORD (8:9). People saw Nehemiah’s name at the top of the agreement of confession (10:1). What do people around you see? Like Nehemiah, we can use our influence for the Lord.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… who people went to for help. – In chapter 5, there was an outcry of the people. People were suffering, people were in poverty, people were being oppressed. But, when Nehemiah heard it, he came to the aid of those who were oppressed and in need. There are people all around us who are suffering, in need, or oppressed. We should be the kind of people that people come to for help, and when we hear of those who are in need, do we (like Nehemiah) use that information to serve God’s people?

Nehemiah was a… governor… – Yes, he was a cupbearer, but he also became a governor of the people. How did he use that privilege, position, and wealth? He used it in the fear of God (5:15), in the work of the Lord (5:16), and in the service of others by feeding over 150 people at his table (5:17-18). Do we use our privileges, positions, and wealth to serve the Lord and others?

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… who was successful. – Nehemiah was up against an impossible task. He gained the favor of the king, traveled across the world, rallied the Jews, worked through mockery and threats, and built a wall in 52 days! How did Nehemiah respond to all that success? He glorified God and dedicated the wall to God (ch. 12). Even their enemies recognized that it was the work of God (6:16). When we are successful, do we let it go to our head? Or do we dedicate our success to God and glorify Him? Nehemiah used his successes in service to the Lord, and we can too.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… but he made a change. – Since Nehemiah was a cupbearer, he eventually had to return to the king. He had done good work for the Lord, but his time off work was done. Nevertheless, Nehemiah didn’t settle back in to his old way of life. He knew there was more important work for him to be doing, he knew that God’s people needed him, and he knew that he couldn’t accomplish enough while being a cupbearer to the king. So, Nehemiah “asked leave from the king” (13:6, NASB) and moved to Jerusalem (13:7). Sometimes opportunities arise that don’t require any change, sometimes we might have to take some time off work, and sometimes we might have to reconsider our entire life. Would we be willing (like Nehemiah), if the opportunity and need arose, to make the decision to change careers and move to a new place in service of Him?

Nehemiah was a cupbearer… who was zealous for good deeds. – If that wasn’t already clear by chapter 13, then Nehemiah’s passion for the Lord is hard to miss in 13:25. Do we (like Nehemiah) use our passion in service to the Lord by being “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14, NASB)?