Nehemiah: Business Analysis
Nehemiah: A Business Analysis
SUMMARY
Like Esther’s calling to save her people, Nehemiah felt a calling from God to rebuild a wall in his hometown that had been left neglected for over 70 years after being destroyed. “Ordinarily, though, a wall symbolizes strength and protection. In ancient cities the only real means of defense were the walls”
(Stedman, 1965). One may ask why no one had rebuilt the walls if they were such an important part of protection. A lack of leadership is one reason. For hundreds of years, these people had been led. There was no one telling them where to start or how to fix this problem now8. They were completely disorganized. Nehemiah became that leader and proved to be an effective one. He channeled his grief and converted it into determination to help Jerusalem. He too had favor with the King as the trusted cup bearer that brought him his food and drink. He obtained permission and a guarantee of safe passage from the King to travel there and begin work. He would face many challenges in organization, management, and leadership. He guides the people, fulfilling each need in Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs. The following is a business analysis of the Bible’s book of Nehemiah. Businessdictionary.com defines a business analysis as an “Investigation into the operations of a business to expose the causes behind the results achieved, and the effects of those results on the business” (2013).
SWOT ANALYSIS
One way to identify those challenges and potential solutions is through a SWOT Analysis.
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
STRENGTHS
Spiritually ready
Natural born leader
Courageous
Tremendous faith
Good position politically to get permission to go fix wall
Determination—Jews and Nehemiah
OPPORTUNITIES
Strengthen the people
Remove the shame of the broken down walls Motivate the Jews
Prove God could help accomplish anything
WEAKNESSES
No knowledge of wall building
Challenges of how to build the wall
Fear
How to get
SUMMARY
Like Esther’s calling to save her people, Nehemiah felt a calling from God to rebuild a wall in his hometown that had been left neglected for over 70 years after being destroyed. “Ordinarily, though, a wall symbolizes strength and protection. In ancient cities the only real means of defense were the walls”
(Stedman, 1965). One may ask why no one had rebuilt the walls if they were such an important part of protection. A lack of leadership is one reason. For hundreds of years, these people had been led. There was no one telling them where to start or how to fix this problem now8. They were completely disorganized. Nehemiah became that leader and proved to be an effective one. He channeled his grief and converted it into determination to help Jerusalem. He too had favor with the King as the trusted cup bearer that brought him his food and drink. He obtained permission and a guarantee of safe passage from the King to travel there and begin work. He would face many challenges in organization, management, and leadership. He guides the people, fulfilling each need in Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs. The following is a business analysis of the Bible’s book of Nehemiah. Businessdictionary.com defines a business analysis as an “Investigation into the operations of a business to expose the causes behind the results achieved, and the effects of those results on the business” (2013).
SWOT ANALYSIS
One way to identify those challenges and potential solutions is through a SWOT Analysis.
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
STRENGTHS
Spiritually ready
Natural born leader
Courageous
Tremendous faith
Good position politically to get permission to go fix wall
Determination—Jews and Nehemiah
OPPORTUNITIES
Strengthen the people
Remove the shame of the broken down walls Motivate the Jews
Prove God could help accomplish anything
WEAKNESSES
No knowledge of wall building
Challenges of how to build the wall
Fear
How to get
Cited: Author Unknown. (2013). BusinessDictionary. WebFinance, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business-analysis.html. Blanchard, K & Hodges, P. (2005). Lead Like Jesus. (p. 83). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. Boone, L. W., & Makhani, S. (2012). Five Necessary Attitudes of a Servant Leader. Review of Business, 83-96 Drucker, P. (1999). Management Challenges for the 21st Century. (p. 11). New York, NY: HarperCollins. House, R & Mitchell, TR. (1974). Path-goal Theory of Leadership. Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/path_goal_leadership.htm. Life Application Study Bible (2005). New International Version. Zondervan. (p. 747). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Stedman, R. (1965). Nehemiah:Rebuilding the Wall. Retrieved from http://www.raystedman.org/bibleoverview/adventuring/nehemiah-rebuilding-the-walls.