As we worked our way through the book of Nehemiah, we have seen how Nehemiah believed that he was doing God’s work. And he did not see the work of God as something optional that he will embark on after he has accomplished his own work and secured his own standing.
Nehemiah knew the promises of God and was concerned with how the promise of GOd becomes the blessing of God. The work of God has everything to do with the people of God, the presence of God as a fulfilment of the fulfilment of God so the blessing of God can come.
Because this work matters, there is opposition to it.
(A) Mockery and the God who hears (Neh 4:1-6)
By Nehemiah 4, the people have begun the work of rebuilding the wall and reports of their progress also reached the ears of Sanballat and Tobiah. Nehemiah recorded for us that Sanballat was “angry and greatly enraged” (Neh 4:1) in order to show us the extent of the offence (c.f. Neh 4:7).
But why does it matter that we know the extent of their anger?
In what instances do you get angry over third party information? When you care about a group? When you are jealous about a group’s achievements when they are undeserving? Anger often proceeds from a sense of “oughtness”, when an order is disrupted and this is an order that your heart insists on.
These men were angry not because of unrighteousness but out of a deep sense of self-righteousness. In their minds, these Jews had no right to do what they were doing. The Jews were wrong, inappropriate, arrogant.
In their minds, the Jews are incompetent and cannot do anything right (Neh 4:2-3). As we read their words, we see their belief systems and stereotypes that inform their view of reality.
How does Nehemiah respond to their words? There seems to be a break in the narrative in Nehemiah 4:4-5, and we have Nehemiah’s interjection here that grabs our attention. Nehemiah responds to their anger by turning and speaking of God’s anger against the people.
This shows us how interwoven prayer ought to be in our lives. As we think about things and events in our lives, it should naturally lead us to pray. What will it take you to pray? Do you recognise your need for God in every moment of life?
This is what we see here as Nehemiah addresses God (“Hear, O our God”, Neh 4:4). Nehemiah is also clear that Sanballat and Tobiah are angry because they despise the Jews (Neh 4:4). When we despise someone, we cannot put them down without lifting ourselves up, and also separating ourselves from them and thinking we are better than them.
These verses are also imprecatory prayers. We might be uncomfortable with these prayers but notice that this is Nehemiah’s response recorded for us here. And remember that ultimately, God makes the decision about what will finally happen. Nehemiah is still submitting ultimately to God’s sovereignty.
Sometimes we struggle with this when we are extremely angry with the situation we are in and we feel like we cannot pray. But notice how we have turned anger and linked it to our guilt (at the anger). See Nehemiah’s response — he was so angry and so he prayed. He brought all his anger to God.
Whether we are angry, sad, happy — we can always turn to God! Nehemiah continues his narrative — the people built the wall (Neh 4:6). We are told that the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work”. There was a oneness and unity and everyone got to work. We have already seen this oneness in Nehemiah 3 as men and families worked together, alongside each other, to build the wall.
They responded to mockery by working, because they know that they have a God who hears prayers.
(B) Threats and the God who frustrates (Neh 5:7-14)
Nehemiah 4:7 begins with a “but”. Those who opposed the work also aligned themselves in the face of the people’s unity (Neh 4:7). The enemies of God also planned to take action (Neh 4:8).
Earlier, we said that the mocking words of Sanballat and Tobiah showed their thoughts. Our words shape reality as we name things and try to bring order to chaos. When we speak, we are trying to engage with reality. Thus, when these men mocked the Jews, they were trying to dissuade and divide them, and thus halt the project. But this was not successful, thus, they had to employ actions. They were trying all ways and means to stop the work of the Jews!
In Judah, another rumour starts that the work is too much for them and the people are unable to rebuild the wall on their own (Neh 4:10). There were also rumours that the enemies were going to raid and kill them (Neh 4:11). As a result, some Jews also encouraged the people to retreat and stop their work (Neh 4:12).
These verses show us the effect of opposition on the people of God. And we know this far too well, for it is also true in our day. How do we distract the church from its mission? What are the strategies that we can see right here, that have been used throughout the ages? “It’s not safe.” “It’s too much work.” “Why would you take this risk?” “Why waste your time doing God’s work?”
There are many ways that we can feel threatened today.
Notice how Nehemiah and the people responded. In Nehemiah 4:9, we see a practical step that they take. They set up a security system by appointing guards to watch the site. They also prayed to God — prayer is natural and an instinctive action.
Nehemiah also launched a mini-campaign in Nehemiah 4:13-14. He placed men in specific spots — in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places. Why did he do so and not place men on the highest places (which is more natural)? There were builders who were at work so these men are for show — to assure these builders. It was for the builders to see that they were protected (because the guards were behind the wall and not in front of it). The men were stationed by clans — thus people would protect those they knew!
And what did Nehemiah tell them? He told them to attend to their heart and to not be afraid of them (Neh 4:14)! He did not give them a pep talk nor did he call them to increase their productivity. He did not assure them with strategies or statistics. Instead, he called them to remember the Lord — what He said and promised and what He is like. He is great and awesome. With that in mind then, fight for your families.
Nehemiah thinks about practical steps and also who God is. He recognised that God had frustrated thei plan of their enemies (Neh 4:15).
Say you set out to share the gospel. You shared with your friend but he/she did not repent and believe. How do you think about this? Is it failure? Or, do you see that God has frustrated all opposition to allow you to share? Is God’s work only successful in your life when you see the outcome, or do you also see the faithfulness and how God removes all obstacles to your labours?
Did you struggle to come for this study tonight? Consider how you are here now! God had to remove a bunch of obstacles for this to happen.
Friends, when we start to think this way, we see that God is doing a lot in life that we just do not see or take to be normal in the Christian life. These things are incredible blessings from God! When we, like Nehemiah, recognise the sovereign hand of God, we become more sensitive to God’s presence and action!
(C) Discouragement and the God who is great (Neh 5:15-23)
These efforts did not affect the work! There seemed to have been a pause as it is recorded that they “all returned to the wall, each to his work” (Neh 4:15). They did struggled and Nehemiah came up with a detailed plan to reorganise the people for the work. Half of the people were devoted to security and there were fewer people involved in building now (Neh 4:16a). The leaders were also placed in a specific way — on the ground behind the house of Judah (Neh 4:16b). The leaders were on the ground, there with the people who were doing the work!
Those who carried burdens and the builders did their work with a weapon on them too (Neh 4:17-18). They were ready for battle anytime, without a need to transition or gather their weapons. This was also a way of telling them what their jobs were. No one could draw a line between civilian or military. All were military because they needed to defend themselves.
Nehemiah also introduced this trumpet system (Neh 4:18b). In Numbers 7, the trumpet was used to coordinate and move the people to act as one. This is important in a time when there was no technology to coordinate and communicate. This allowed the people to run towards the battle when it is needed (Neh 4:20). It is a challenging security situation as they were working separately and spread out (Neh 4:19).
Nehemiah also had a night guard. He made great preparations for night and day (Neh 4:21-23).
Nehemiah is clearly a planner who breaks things down methodically and systematically. Yet, he is also a man of prayer. He is certain that “our God will fight for us” (Neh 4:20b).
Nehemiah’s understanding of God is shaped by Israel’s history. In Exodus 14, we read of how God brought the people out of Egypt to the Red Sea. On on side was the Red Sea, and on the other side was Pharaoh and the army. Where could they go now? Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Nehemiah’s words are similar to Moses’. God’s people have been in difficult situations before. Then and now, they can be confident that God will fight for them.
Is this how you think about God? When you are discouraged and when everything seems to have reached the pits, do you recognise that God will act?
As we read in Colossians 2:13-15, we were dead in our trespasses and unable to save ourselves. Jesus triumphed over sin, death and Satan at the cross, winning for us what we could not achieve on our own. Those who are in Christ know this. And we can be assured that He will fight for us — we are not alone. When we read Nehemiah 4 in light of the cross, we can be certain and confident because we too, can look at God. The cross holds our assurance, hope and comfort for us. This is a God who frustrates our enemies, hears our prayers and is great.