Being miserable at work is a risky business. Nowadays, those risks are probably more to do with our wellbeing and likelihood of promotion (the PIE method attributes 30% of your promotion prospects down to projecting a positive persona); in the court of King Artaxerxes is would have been downright dangerous. Bear in mind that Artaxerxes was one of the most powerful rulers who ever lived, presiding over a large empire for more than forty years (465BC-424BC); a man who murdered his brother to make sure he seized the throne after his father’s untimely death; a man whose drinking bowl, one of which still survives – housed in the British Museum – and therefore might have been held by Nehemiah (how cool is that?) bears this inscription: ‘Artaxerxes, the great king, king of kings, king of countries, son of Xerxes the king, of Xerxes [who was] son of Darius the king, the Achaemenian, in whose house this drinking cup/saucer was made.’
To be in the presence of this ‘great king, king of kings’, it was not advisable to look miserable. And yet, Nehemiah had to get his boss’s attention. It’s risky, but extremely clever: if the man who is responsible for your safety is looking sad (v1), then you need to know why, right?
We can only speculate whether this was a plan formed over a long period – this is four months since Hanani’s visit – or whether Nehemiah was particularly moved on this day; either way, the crucial moment comes… and is successful. The King is sympathetic, and, like the strong, decisive ruler he is, gets straight to the point: (v4) ‘What is it you want?… (v6) How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?’ What an amazing opening! Nehemiah is blessed with royal favour: he gets permission to go (v6), letters of safe conduct (v7), materials he can use to help with the project (v8) and soldiers for security (v9). (He also has enemies, now, too (v10) – but we’ll come back to that.)
There is, however, another king involved here. Nehemiah has not just royal favour, but Royal favour: (vv4-5) ‘The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king…’ Beneath the visible circumstances, another Hand is guiding all things. The king of kings is unwittingly doing the business of the King of kings.
It is sometimes hard to see the hand of the Lord at work; but we believe in a God ‘who works all things for good to those who love Him.’ Nehemiah knew the Lord’s favour, and the door opened for the great work to which God had called him. Today let’s pray for all of us feeling a similar call, to any kind of kingdom work: for favour, and open doors. If that’s you, take heart! If that’s not you currently, then join your prayers with those who are, in faith that the Lord will be glorified. All the Lord’s work ultimately needs Royal favour.