Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4 details the intense opposition faced by the Jews during their effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Their enemies—led by Sanballat, Tobiah, and others—mocked and threatened them. Despite these obstacles, Nehemiah encouraged the people to rely on God, while simultaneously taking practical steps to defend themselves. The chapter reveals the balance between faith and action in overcoming opposition and demonstrates the strength of unity and trust in God amidst adversity.

Nehemiah 4:1-5 (NKJV)
1 But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?”
3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.”
4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!
5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.

Sanballat and Tobiah express their disdain for the Jews’ rebuilding efforts, mocking their perceived weakness and inability to complete the task. Their ridicule aims to discourage and demoralize the workers. Nehemiah, however, responds with prayer, asking God to handle their enemies and to not forgive their sins. This shows Nehemiah’s reliance on God to defend them while emphasizing the seriousness of the opposition they faced.

Nehemiah 4:6 (NKJV)
6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Despite the mockery, the people continued their work with determination, managing to rebuild the wall to half its height. Their unity and shared commitment to the project are key factors in their progress. This verse highlights how perseverance and collective effort can overcome discouragement.

Nehemiah 4:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry,
8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.
9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

As the wall’s reconstruction progressed, more groups joined in opposition, conspiring to attack and cause confusion. In response, Nehemiah and the people prayed to God and set a constant watch to protect themselves. This balance between prayer and practical defense reflects their faith and wisdom in handling threats.

Nehemiah 4:10-12 (NKJV)
10 Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”
11 And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.”
12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.”

As the work continued, the laborers became fatigued and disheartened by the overwhelming amount of debris. Additionally, the enemies’ threats of a surprise attack further discouraged the people. The Jews living near the enemy repeatedly warned Nehemiah about the impending danger, showing how external threats and internal exhaustion were taking a toll on the people’s morale.

Nehemiah 4:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Nehemiah took decisive action to address the threat by organizing the people into defensive positions, each family armed and prepared to defend their section of the wall. He encouraged them not to fear but to trust in the greatness of God while reminding them of the importance of protecting their loved ones. Nehemiah’s leadership combined faith in God with practical measures to protect the people.

Nehemiah 4:15-18 (NKJV)
15 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.
16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah.
17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.
18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built, and the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

When the enemies realized that their plan had been exposed and thwarted by God, they abandoned their immediate attack. Nehemiah then organized the workers so that half would guard while the other half built. Even the builders worked with one hand on construction and the other holding a weapon, showing the constant state of readiness. Nehemiah’s wise strategy ensured the safety of the workers while allowing the work to continue.

Nehemiah 4:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall.
20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Nehemiah addressed the challenge of being spread out along the wall, making it difficult to defend against a coordinated attack. He instructed the people to gather wherever they heard the trumpet sound, knowing that God would fight for them. This shows his continued faith that God would be their protector and guide through the process.

Nehemiah 4:21-23 (NKJV)
21 So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.
22 At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.”
23 So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing.

Nehemiah and the people maintained a constant state of vigilance, working by day and guarding by night. They did not relax their defenses even at night, and the men stayed fully dressed and ready for action. This passage shows the people’s tireless dedication to rebuilding and defending their city, trusting that God was with them every step of the way.