The typical thing to do before we start to do is survey before work commences.
13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal[a] Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. – Nehemiah 2: 13
Over 1200 years separate the ministries of Joseph, son of Jacob, and Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah. However, the Holy Spirit, beyond the limits of time and space, consistently imparted invaluable wisdom to each generation as they faced pivotal decisions. When Joseph was tasked with saving Egypt, he first conducted a nationwide survey. Centuries later, as Nehemiah prepared to rebuild Jerusalem, he sought the Lord’s guidance to first assess the situation before starting the work.
The Lord instructed him to travel alone through the city, gathering details on the extent of the damage to Jerusalem’s walls. This careful investigation was crucial for developing a sound plan of action.
Despite his high position in Shushan and the abundant resources provided for the project in Jerusalem, Nehemiah remained humble, seeking divine guidance before beginning his work.