Setting – The Jews had to be prepared for possible war while still continuing rebuilding
Content – When the Samarian official Sanballat heard that the Jews were progressing in building the wall, he went into a rage (v. 7 NLT) “But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall were being repaired, they became furious.” They planned on going to war against Jerusalem (v. 8 NLT) “They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and to bring about confusion there.”
Nehemiah prayed to God for help (v. 4 NLT) “Then I prayed, "Hear us, O our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!” And the people prayed (v. 9 NLT) “But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.” With the possibility of war (v. 13 NLT) “I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.” Nehemiah encouraged and reminded the people of God’s ability to deliver (v. 14 NLT) “Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!” The enemy heard of the Jews plan and preparation and that God frustrated the enemy’s plans, the Jews returned to the work. But they still were prepared for war (v. 16-17a NLT) “But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The officers stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall” If the people heard the blasts of the trumpet (v. 20 NLT) “…rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
There was a lot of work to be done (v. 10 NLT) “Then the people of Judah began to complain that the workers were becoming tired. There was so much rubble to be moved that we could never get it done by ourselves.” & (v. 21 NLT) “We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard.” Nehemiah had people outside of the city walls move inside (v. 22 NLT) “I also told everyone living outside the walls to move into Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could go on guard duty at night as well as work during the day.” They were very focused on their work and were always on guard (v. 23 NLT) “During this time, none of us--not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me--ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.”
Application – Even though God was supporting Nehemiah’s efforts it didn’t mean that it would be void of opposition. The enemy’s were fearful of the success of the Jews. Since the Jews were so numerous they were probably afraid of them overtaken Samaria. The Samarian officials mocked their efforts. Nehemiah’s first course of action again was to pray. We also see that the work wasn’t easy (v. 6 NLT) “At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city, for the people had worked very hard.” And they started to complain about the amount of work.
God’s work isn’t always easy. God’s work will have opposition. God’s people need to pray for God’s help and then take on a course of action. Sometimes the action is to prepare, sometimes move forward and sometime wait. Which action will depend up on God’s leading and the situation.
In addition, the work might not be easy. Jesus didn’t have a place to sleep while (Matt 8:20 NASB) “Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air {have} nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."” If Christ work was easy, ours probably won’t be either.
Content – When the Samarian official Sanballat heard that the Jews were progressing in building the wall, he went into a rage (v. 7 NLT) “But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall were being repaired, they became furious.” They planned on going to war against Jerusalem (v. 8 NLT) “They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and to bring about confusion there.”
Nehemiah prayed to God for help (v. 4 NLT) “Then I prayed, "Hear us, O our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!” And the people prayed (v. 9 NLT) “But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.” With the possibility of war (v. 13 NLT) “I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.” Nehemiah encouraged and reminded the people of God’s ability to deliver (v. 14 NLT) “Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!” The enemy heard of the Jews plan and preparation and that God frustrated the enemy’s plans, the Jews returned to the work. But they still were prepared for war (v. 16-17a NLT) “But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The officers stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall” If the people heard the blasts of the trumpet (v. 20 NLT) “…rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
There was a lot of work to be done (v. 10 NLT) “Then the people of Judah began to complain that the workers were becoming tired. There was so much rubble to be moved that we could never get it done by ourselves.” & (v. 21 NLT) “We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard.” Nehemiah had people outside of the city walls move inside (v. 22 NLT) “I also told everyone living outside the walls to move into Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could go on guard duty at night as well as work during the day.” They were very focused on their work and were always on guard (v. 23 NLT) “During this time, none of us--not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me--ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.”
Application – Even though God was supporting Nehemiah’s efforts it didn’t mean that it would be void of opposition. The enemy’s were fearful of the success of the Jews. Since the Jews were so numerous they were probably afraid of them overtaken Samaria. The Samarian officials mocked their efforts. Nehemiah’s first course of action again was to pray. We also see that the work wasn’t easy (v. 6 NLT) “At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city, for the people had worked very hard.” And they started to complain about the amount of work.
God’s work isn’t always easy. God’s work will have opposition. God’s people need to pray for God’s help and then take on a course of action. Sometimes the action is to prepare, sometimes move forward and sometime wait. Which action will depend up on God’s leading and the situation.
In addition, the work might not be easy. Jesus didn’t have a place to sleep while (Matt 8:20 NASB) “Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air {have} nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."” If Christ work was easy, ours probably won’t be either.
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