Nehemiah 4:7-23, Finish the Race (2)

Ridicule didn’t stop the work.  The gaps in the wall were beginning to close.  So the bullies got more serious.  We’re talking war.  They increased their numbers by adding to the “axis of evil.”  (the Ashdodites, v7 were in the Philistine area).  And they were encouraged by the success of the workers.  Now they were really mad.

So, what did Nehemiah do?  The man of prayer PRAYED.  But also, he took wise and sensible action, setting guards to keep an eye out (v9).  Jerusalem is an ideal location to defend.  From all directions you can keep an eye out for an enemy that might try to sneak up on you.

But then there were some complications.  The people had been working hard, so their strength was failing.  And even more so since the work area itself was hard.  “There is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall” (v10).  This added to the enemies’ advantage (v11).  Then, in v12, there was the fear factor!  Some who lived close to these neighbors had heard (the information was intentionally leaked, “ten times”!), “from whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.”  Again, what was Nehemiah to do? 

·                   In v13 he set special guards at places of weakness (lower parts of the wall, where openings were larger and more accessible).  That’s a great thought!  What great weakness do we have that would be detrimental to God’s work?  The tongue (James 3:8)!  So, like the Psalmist, we would do well to pray, “set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).

·                   Then (v14) he encouraged the leaders to be willing to put their lives on the line for the people.  Like Paul said (we quoted in the last post from Ac. 20:24): “Neither do I count my life dear to myself.”  It’s the ultimate in servant leadership.

·       The enemies heard of all this, and that the work was continuing (v15).  But then Nehemiah made another wise move.  The initial vigilance was enhanced by a continuing vigilance: half of his own servants were set to carrying weapons and being prepared for an attack.  Likewise, everyone kept their weapons close by (v16-17).  In addition, there was a plan.  Nehemiah had a man with him at all times with the trumpet with which an alarm could be sounded if the enemy was detected (v18-20).  Verses 21-23 detail how this actually worked out, with Nehemiah, again, taking the lead by example.

Now in all of this, we need to note one other Nehemiah did.  He reminded the people again that this was God’s work and that in the case of attack, “Our God will fight for us” (v20).  All of this has a connection to Christians today.  How many times (there are many, many of them) are we told to “watch” or “watch and pray” while we serve the Lord?  Jesus' words to the disciples in Gethsemane (Mt. 26:41) and Paul’s words in Col. 4:2-6 are a couple of great ones!