Laying the Foundation
Tonight, we’ll consider the cold, hard details of the days leading up to the completion of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. The defenses were in place. Workers and leaders had accepted the burden of double duty. It was going to be a long, arduous push to the finish line, but it was too late to turn back. The workers had invested so much in the walls that they needed to see the job done! Things were as bad as they could get. Nehemiah convinced them to continue and persevere; they are doing God’s work!
Forging a Band of Brothers ________________________________
15 When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!" 21 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. 22 At that time, I also said to the people, "Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day." 23 And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing. [Nehemiah 4:15-23]
Biblical Foundation_________________________________________________
Since Sanballat’s psychological warfare campaign against the Jews failed miserably, the enemies of the Jews realized they needed a fresh approach to stopping the wall construction…and they needed it NOW! Given the pace of the construction, there was no time to lose. Sanballat and his partners came up with a plan which they thought would turn the tide of the events to their favor.
Principles to Live By_______________________________________________
Nehemiah defeated Sanballat and Tobiah in round #1 by maintaining morale in the face of their mockery. He defeated them in round #2 by organizing defenses in anticipation of their surprise attack. To get through the rest of the ‘bout, he had to keep the workforce at a high level of preparation and performance. His leadership was masterful because his faith in God was unshakeable.
Principle 1
Be On Constant Guard
When Sanballat and his cohorts discovered that their plan for a secret attack on Jerusalem was common knowledge and the children of Israel had organized and defended themselves, they backed off. From that day on, half of Nehemiah’s men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows and armor. Even those who continued the work carried weapons. Nehemiah also knew the city and its builders were vulnerable due to dispersion of the workers all around the walls. Consequently, he stationed a trumpeter next to him. In case of an attack, the trumpeter would blow a blast to signal everyone to rush to counterattack the enemy!
Principle 2
Stand Together in Our Battle
One of the greatest challenges Nehemiah faced in rebuilding the wall was to develop a strategy for a unified force in case of an attack. The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated from one another along the wall. As we have seen, he appointed a man who would follow him everywhere he went, and in case of an attack he was to sound the trumpet to rally everyone to the spot of the battle.
Principle 3
God Will Fight for Us
To make sure the people really knew they could proceed with confidence, Nehemiah once again underscored the divine nature of their task. In the same breath that he issued a warning to listen for the trumpet so they could prepare to take military action, he also promised, Our God will fight for us. Once again, Nehemiah was telling the children of Israel that if they did their part, including moving ahead by faith, then God would do His part.
The work went forward. Everyone worked diligently from daybreak until the stars came out. Those living outside the city didn’t even return to their homes. Rather they spent the night in Jerusalem, laboring by day and guarding by night. Even when they stopped to rest, they didn’t remove their clothes. They kept their weapons within arm’s reach so that, at any moment’s notice, they could be ready to defend themselves.
Tonight, we’ll consider the cold, hard details of the days leading up to the completion of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. The defenses were in place. Workers and leaders had accepted the burden of double duty. It was going to be a long, arduous push to the finish line, but it was too late to turn back. The workers had invested so much in the walls that they needed to see the job done! Things were as bad as they could get. Nehemiah convinced them to continue and persevere; they are doing God’s work!
Forging a Band of Brothers ________________________________
15 When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!" 21 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. 22 At that time, I also said to the people, "Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day." 23 And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing. [Nehemiah 4:15-23]
Biblical Foundation_________________________________________________
Since Sanballat’s psychological warfare campaign against the Jews failed miserably, the enemies of the Jews realized they needed a fresh approach to stopping the wall construction…and they needed it NOW! Given the pace of the construction, there was no time to lose. Sanballat and his partners came up with a plan which they thought would turn the tide of the events to their favor.
Principles to Live By_______________________________________________
Nehemiah defeated Sanballat and Tobiah in round #1 by maintaining morale in the face of their mockery. He defeated them in round #2 by organizing defenses in anticipation of their surprise attack. To get through the rest of the ‘bout, he had to keep the workforce at a high level of preparation and performance. His leadership was masterful because his faith in God was unshakeable.
Principle 1
Be On Constant Guard
When Sanballat and his cohorts discovered that their plan for a secret attack on Jerusalem was common knowledge and the children of Israel had organized and defended themselves, they backed off. From that day on, half of Nehemiah’s men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows and armor. Even those who continued the work carried weapons. Nehemiah also knew the city and its builders were vulnerable due to dispersion of the workers all around the walls. Consequently, he stationed a trumpeter next to him. In case of an attack, the trumpeter would blow a blast to signal everyone to rush to counterattack the enemy!
Principle 2
Stand Together in Our Battle
One of the greatest challenges Nehemiah faced in rebuilding the wall was to develop a strategy for a unified force in case of an attack. The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated from one another along the wall. As we have seen, he appointed a man who would follow him everywhere he went, and in case of an attack he was to sound the trumpet to rally everyone to the spot of the battle.
Principle 3
God Will Fight for Us
To make sure the people really knew they could proceed with confidence, Nehemiah once again underscored the divine nature of their task. In the same breath that he issued a warning to listen for the trumpet so they could prepare to take military action, he also promised, Our God will fight for us. Once again, Nehemiah was telling the children of Israel that if they did their part, including moving ahead by faith, then God would do His part.
The work went forward. Everyone worked diligently from daybreak until the stars came out. Those living outside the city didn’t even return to their homes. Rather they spent the night in Jerusalem, laboring by day and guarding by night. Even when they stopped to rest, they didn’t remove their clothes. They kept their weapons within arm’s reach so that, at any moment’s notice, they could be ready to defend themselves.
Getting ready!
ReplyDeleteLast week we saw Nehemiah exert his wisdom and strength as a leader. He devised a tactical response to the enemy who plotted to launch a sneak attack at any moment from any direction.
ReplyDeleteHe motivated a tiring workforce to take on added responsibility and work longer hours to defend the city while continuing to build the walls. All the while, he urged the people to seek God's protection and assistance. There is of course, a lesson here for all of us. It's hard not to let down our enthusiasm after experiencing initial success, but if we want to finish well, we need to both work hard and rely on the Lord to the very end.
ReplyDeleteDid you admire the courage of William Wallace in Braveheart? Did it appeal to your sense of justice or competitive side?
ReplyDeleteIf your faith was a piece of military gear, which would it be...a helemt, night vision goggles, body armor, an MRE (meal). an M-16 rifle, an M1A1 Tank, or something else?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite "war" movie?
ReplyDeleteHere is what Nehemiah must do...bind them together ask them to do more and have them stand in the gap when they are cold, tired, hungry, and plain old wore out!
From the time the rumors started till the walls were finished it took about a month... can you imagine how long that month must have been? For one thing, they didn't know that they would finish the walls without being attacked. The grinding fatigue must have been hard to imagine!
ReplyDeletebe on guard for what?
ReplyDeleteThe spiritual forces of evil will be ready to launch an assault against us at any time. We must be wearing the full armor of God and ready to give a defense!
ReplyDeleteMost of our battles as Christians are on a much differnt level than Nehemiah! God has not called us to defend out faith with weapons, becasue our battle is not against flesh and blood. We are in a spitual battle where the stakes and the outcome is grave! much greater than death!
God has not called us to defend out faith with weapons, because our battle is not against flesh and blood. We are in a spiritual battle where the stakes and the outcome is grave! much greater than death!
ReplyDeleteIs this what we need more than ever in America as well as the Christian church, unity! Unity of spirit of accomplishment and of purpose!
when satan attacks us, do you know what he tries to do? He tries to isolate us! United we stand divided we fall! Nehemiah had to have a unified workforce!
ReplyDeleteGod never intended for us to face satan and his minions alone... We need each other. Even when He sent out he disciples, He sent them out 2 x 2.
ReplyDeleteStrenght is found in unity as well as encouragement and mutual support. The armor of God is not some set of clothes for Rambo to put on, but for the church as a whole to suit up and inspect one another and then prepare for battle!
Whether single, married, moms, dads, leaders or followers; satan tries to "breakdown" our walls. He does not want us to come together
ReplyDeleteHe does not want us to build up one another nor does he want glory to be given to Christ through our discipleship and unity. However, as we stand together, armed with the strength of God, we can truimph over satan and see our homes and church built up!
Which takes us to the #3 principle: God will FIght!
This is v. 20 "God will fight for us" the question is do you really believe it? If you do, do you really live like it? If not, why?
ReplyDeleteGod expects us to work hard without feeling that our success depends on us. he wants us to put our very best effort forward and to place ourselves into His hands-firmly.
Our problem is that we tend to ignore God and His resources, when we are working hard at a solution! Too many only call on Him and rely on Him when it gets too hard...
ReplyDeleteEverything is indeed the Lord's battle. Our lives are at His pleasure and His will. Our lives are His and we serve Him! We must remember to seek His kingdom, His righteousness with all our hearts, strength and fight alongside of Him to defeat the devil and his unholy hosts!
ReplyDelete