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Nehemiah concludes his prayer by addressing God directly, saying, O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man (v. 11). In these words, he is asking the Lord to listen closely and respond favorably not only to him, but to the collective pleas of those who honor God. Nehemiah’s reverence is visible in the way he humbly refers to himself and the people as servants, emphasizing dependence on the Lord’s guidance for success and the hope that God will intervene in their situation. This passage underscores that, despite serving an earthly authority, Nehemiah appeals to the ultimate authority of God to shape his destiny.
The latter part of the verse, Now I was the cupbearer to the king (v. 11), provides a crucial personal detail that clarifies his role in the court of King Artaxerxes, who ruled Persia between 465 and 424 BC. A cupbearer was a trustworthy individual responsible for tasting and presenting the king’s drink to guard against poisoning-an influential position that granted close proximity to royal power. This historical setting comes shortly after the Jewish exiles begin returning to Jerusalem, which was located in the province of Judah. With Babylon overthrown by the Persians, the king’s favor would be instrumental in supporting Nehemiah’s mission to aid his people and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
By recording his request for divine compassion, Nehemiah demonstrates an unwavering belief that God can influence the king’s response. This prayer reveals both a personal faith and a communal orientation: Nehemiah seeks favor for himself so that he can in turn benefit the wider community rebuilding their homeland. His request resonates with New Testament principles, where prayer and faith combine to align believers with God’s will and often precede pivotal moments of service or change (Matthew 7:7).
Used with permission from TheBibleSays.com.
You can access the original article here.
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