Eternity Daily Bible Study No. 183 - Nehemiah, God's Builder - Part 5

(Nehemiah 4:6-23 NKJV)  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. {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. {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." {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...... {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....{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.

Watch and pray! Or as the World War 1 song goes "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition":
 "Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night".  Nehemiah was both practical and spiritual. For Nehemiah relying on God's protection meant BOTH being earnest in prayer, AND setting up a watch and posting a guard. 

This principle has much application in everyday life: Pray for healing - and go see the doctor. Pray for your exams - and study your books. Pray for prosperity - and work hard in your business. Pray for a secure country - and secure your borders.

God often answers our prayers by giving us wisdom about the matter concerned and He answered Nehemiah's prayers through the Jewish "intelligence agency". The Jews living outside Jerusalem brought reports of the plots against them. (Nehemiah 4:12,15) So when the enemies knew their plot was revealed they gave up. (4:15)

This high level of vigilance is sometimes necessary in Christian work and spiritual warfare.  There are times when we must always "have our armor on" and be ready with "the sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:10-18). This is particularly true if we operate in areas where witchcraft or idolatry are common.

While we are to be vigilant we are not to be paranoid or to give in to wild imaginings or conspiracy theories. (Isaiah 8:11-15) Fear could have done almost as much damage to building the wall as lack of vigilance. Nehemiah dealt with fear by wisely reminding them of both God's power and their own self-interest. Neh 4:14  "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." 

The "siege mentality" is often criticized, yet at times and in places, it may be wisdom.  There is a time for defending the faith, for circling the wagons, for realizing that you are genuinely under attack. 

One interesting aspect was the "trumpet-blower". (Nehemiah 4:18-20 NKJV)  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. {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."

The trumpet-blower was the rallying point. When that horn rang out all the troops and workmen would converge on that point - and even God would join in the battle. There could only be ONE trumpet-blower. If there had been a dozen, then confusion would have reigned supreme. Unity at the critical moments is supremely important. Christian projects need one central person who is the recognized rallying point. If everyone "blows their own trumpet", seeking to be a center of attention themselves, then the battle is divided and inevitably lost.

Visible readiness and obvious unity are powerful deterrents to the enemy. Tobiah and Sanballat never attacked!  They wanted to, they planned to, and they prepared to - but Nehemiah's alertness, preparation, unity and discipline made them think twice. The best way to avoid conflict is to convince your enemy that he will lose any battle that ensues.

The issue of legitimate self-defense emerges from this section. Nehemiah had everyone on guard and bearing arms - but he did not launch any strikes against Tobiah and co. His was an alert defensive posture rather than an aggressive "strike-first' mentality.  There is a legitimate argument for self-defense, but little or no Scriptural argument for pre-emptive strikes. The whole object of Nehemiah's defense was so that the work of God could be carried out in peace. Once that was achieved no further aggression was necessary.

This time of defense demanded a "war-time mentality" of hardship, sacrifice and alertness. People did double duty and were in constant readiness at all times. (Nehemiah 4:22-23 NKJV)  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.

There are times of discomfort and lean-living in God's service, times when we are "warriors", and where exhaustion, stress and strain become part of life for a while.  Sacrifice may be necessary - but notice that Nehemiah joined in and bore as much of the strain as anyone. It was not just the troops that lived tough. There is something very wrong with leaders living in luxury while they ask volunteers to make financial sacrifices for the ministry. When times are tough, it should be a corporate, shared suffering. 

Watch and pray, be prepared, live tough, show leadership in all things and especially in suffering hardship. Good lessons from a great leader!

Blessings,

John Edmiston

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