The wall was finished in 52 days. We know this from Neh. 6:15. But between Neh.
3 and 6 we see that they did not just finish the work. Under Nehemiah’s servant leadership, they worked
through several trials. Life is like
that. We don’t just finish. We finish the “race” that is full of pitfalls;
it’s more like running the hurdles than, say, the mile. Paul used this phrase in 2 Tim. 4:7. He also
used it in Acts 20:24 when he said “none of these things move me; nor do I
count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.” For a few posts let’s check out the hurdles
that were cleared in the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem.
The first hurdle, ridicule, had been raised in
2:19-20. Sanballat was an official in Samaria;
Tobiah was governor in Ammon, east of Judah (other side of the Dead Sea); and
Geshem the Arab (2:19) probably governed down in the Negev. The point is: they are neighboring bullies,
experienced governors who thought the new guy, Nehemiah, was just “smoke and
mirrors” as we like to say. Their
tactics were those you might associate with a bully!
To be honest, they
are funny, though deceitful and with evil hearts. “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up
on it, he will break down their stone wall.”
So, ridicule is itself “smoke and mirrors.” But it can be an effective weapon against a
proud person. Ridicule or “contempt” was
the first attack on the pilgrim in the Songs of Assents (Psalm 123). And it is a common attack in our society
where, thank the Lord, we are still being shielded from physical abuse (for the
most part). So, what is the proper
response to ridicule? How should we respond?
·
First, don’t respond to the bullies. This is Biblical. “Reprove not a scoffer lest he hate thee”
(Prov. 9:7-8). “A scoffer hears not rebuke”
(Pr. 13:1). “A scoffer loves not one
that reproves him; neither will he go unto the wise” (Prov. 15:12). The scoffer isn’t interested in factual
discussion.
·
Second, be convinced your task is from God. If it is, then the ridicule is God’s
problem. Paul said, “Since we have this
ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” (2 Cor. 4:1). Christ has given us the ministry of
reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20); we don’t need to fear the words of
scoffers. [2 Chronicles 30:1-12 is
another story that will encourage you in this hurdle.]
·
Third, give it to the Lord in prayer. Job did this: “My friends scorn me; my eyes
pour out tears to God” (Job 16:20). This
is what Nehemiah did (v4-5). Why do we
give it to God? Because God scorns the
scorners and gives grace to the humble (Prov. 3:34). His grace enables us to continue the race, as
did Nehemiah and the people (v6).
Are we doing God’s work? Then, by His grace, let us ignore the scoffers and be faithful to continue the race!
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