name of the man in charge. He has also learned of the layout of the city from Hanani. Having done so much to prepare himself for this interview with the king, we might expect that Nehemiah would congratulate himself on his success. Instead, he writes, “and the king granted all these things to me because the good hand of my God was on me.” His dependence on the Lord is real. His humility is genuine. And his example reminds us not to boast of the things God does through us as if we had accomplished