Issue 457
It’s not just what you do that forms a decision; it’s how what you do appears to others. This is a great dilemma for anyone, but particularly for anyone at whom people look. The more you are watched, the more you will be judged.
This can become tyranny, producing the desire to decide only in ways that appear acceptable to the observers. This is a recipe for poor or unwise decision.
In contrast, bloody minded actions which deliberately fly in the face of observers can generate a whole lot of trouble down the line.
So Nehemiah wants to appoint someone to take charge of Jerusalem. He knows a person in whom he can trust. This man was largely responsible for triggering the sequence of events that brought Nehemiah to Jerusalem. It was his brother, Hanani, who had reported to his brother in Susa ,months before, Jerusalem that was in trouble. Hanani was now at Nehemiah’s side in the wall building project. Clearly they trusted each other. Hanani trusted Nehemiah’s leadership and Nehemiah trusted Hanani’s friendship and support.
It is a testimony to the skill of their parents that these two brothers could work together so well, for it often takes parental skill to teach two siblings to get along. Nehemiah’s mind was strong and healthy and one significant way must have been the input of wise parents. Good minds don’t just happen by accident, parents, friends, teachers, counsellors and advisors all contribute. Nehemiah was the man he was due to a complex combination of input – including his own personal development.
Why should we notice this? Because you will be a person right now who can feed and strengthen another mind. If you have children you have immense power to empower them. You also have a responsibility to develop your own mind. Lazy, sloppy or shallow thinking will be a problem in your work and life. Nehemiah’s mind was developed and you can see it in action.
So he appoints Hanani to take charge of the City. Straight away he is open to the charge of nepotism, favouritism or elitism. Both Nehemiah and Hanani are now open to criticism and loss of respect. Hanani is at risk of being seen as only being qualified to be in charge because he is Nehemiah’s brother. But Nehemiah wants his brother in charge, he needs trusted people by his side. So he doesn’t leave himself or Hanani or himself open to charges. He appoints Hananiah along with Hanani.
There you see Nehemiah’s mind. He knows the meaning and value of “along with”. He learned it from his parents who taught him to get along with Hanani. He saw from childhood the meaning of collaboration and the value of trust. So it is part of his mental matrix to appoint two deputies. This protects everyone. This puts in checks and balances. This pre-empts the criticism. And it gets three skill sets onto the job.
Nehemiah knew Hanani would not be in awe of him – he is his brother and grew up with him. Nehemiah has made himself accountable but stronger through this decision. But he has also made Hanani and Hananiah accountable to each other. It’s a very elegant solution and decision. It contains just the right mix of risk and safety, personal and professional, distance and proximity.
How many leaders fall because they had no brother/sister to watch their back? How many become isolated and arrogant. It is always the beginning of the end.
Nehemiah was not just a wall builder, he was a team builder and his mind was not too closed to let others in, too superior to seek others out or too insecure to let others lead.
You can be a loner but don’t be alone. Jesus sent His disciples out in twos and Nehemiah knew in his mind the same truth.
Nehemiah 7:1-4
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.
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Geoff Shattock
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