(REFLECTIONS ON Nehemiah 4:1-14)

As with the rebuilding of the temple of the Lord, the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall also was greatly challenged by their neighbors. Sanballet, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod, were greatly angered at the work being done in the city of Jerusalem and tried to discourage them and use fear tactics to stop the work.

These neighbors opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall because of how it could threaten their political power, economic interests, and regional influence. They feared that a rebuilt Jerusalem would challenge the dominance of their own cities, like Samaria, and as regional governors in the Persian Empire, they tried with all their might to stop this work.

In today’s Scripture, we read,

1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Rather than being discouraged by these insults, the Jews continued to build.

6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

What began as verbal insults eventually turned into physical threats.

7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

Yet the work continued, ready to build, ready for battle, fighting for what the Lord had placed on their hearts. Yes, this work was the Lord’s and the people would not allow insults, discouragement, and even physical threats to slow them down.

Brothers and sisters, are we as a church a people of God that will do His kingdom work with all our heart? Working with all our heart means that we won’t allow insults, discouragement, and even physical threats to stop what we are doing, because it isn’t for ourselves that we are working, but for the God that called us to be His own.

May the words of Nehemiah also be our encouragement today, as we continue to press forward in our faith despite the anger and opposition of the world.

14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Nehemiah 4