Men who fear the LORD

For the past two months, I’ve been studying the book of Nehemiah with two brethren at West Main. It’s been refreshing to learn together and be reminded of the value of Bible study. We started what we called our “Arise and Build challenge.” For 52-days, we met together (online or in person) to read a chapter a day. We read Nehemiah a total of four times.

During our third round, I noticed something powerful about Nehemiah and other men mentioned in the book. These men show us what godly manhood looks like. They weren’t perfect, but their lives set a standard for us as fathers, husbands, and leaders: they feared the Lord. That fear shaped their decisions and actions. As a result, they strengthened families and blessed the people rather than hindering them.

Nehemiah 5:15 says, “But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God.”

Earlier in the chapter, Nehemiah confronted the nobles who were exacting interest from their brethren, violating the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 23:19–20). He corrected them publicly and set things right. As governor, Nehemiah had the right to a food allowance (Nehemiah 5:14), but he refused it. Unlike former leaders who oppressed the people, he showed compassion (Nehemiah 5:18). His motivation? He feared God. He knew God was watching how he treated others. He could have taken advantage but didn’t. That’s what a true man of God does.

And Nehemiah wasn’t alone. In Nehemiah 7:2 we read, “…Then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.” Hananiah stood out among men. His leadership came from faithfulness and reverence for God. That same example is possible for us as well.

What else does it mean to fear God? Nehemiah’s example shows us. He was willing to sacrifice for God’s people. He assisted the poor, labored with the people, and refused to buy land (Nehemiah 5:16). If he had, it might have seemed like he was profiting from others’ hardship. Instead, he made it clear: “I’m not here to build my kingdom, I’m here to help God’s people.” He modeled servant leadership, integrity, and focus on God’s mission.

Landownership could have distracted him, but Nehemiah poured his energy, resources, and even his household staff into rebuilding the wall.

Nehemiah also stood boldly for God’s Word. In Nehemiah 13:17–18, he rebuked the nobles for profaning the Sabbath: “Then I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and said to them, ‘What is this evil thing you are doing, by profaning the sabbath day? Did not your fathers do the same, so that our God brought on us and on this city all this trouble? Yet you are adding to the wrath of Israel by profaning the sabbath.’” He knew God’s Word was true and would be fulfilled. He continued to correct and call the people back to faithfulness (Nehemiah 13:27).

Nehemiah was more concerned about being right with God than being right with man. He feared God above all else. Jesus taught the same: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

That’s the lesson. Like Nehemiah and Hananiah, we need men who fear the Lord. Men who lead with compassion, integrity, and courage. Men who will sacrifice for others, protect the weak, and honor God’s Word above the approval of man.

Let us be those men. Let us walk in the fear of the Lord.