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Nehemiah 4 Commentary
by Hank Workman
Discouragement is a terrible thing. The insidious feeling of being overrun and fighting defeat sinks to one’s bones. It completely changes your outlook, sidelines your faith and blurs the reality of calling and purpose.
Nehemiah and the people had all of this going on. Every story needs an antagonist and certainly Sanballat, Tobiah, and a slew of others fit this role. It first began with criticism. It was followed by mocking. When neither of these worked, in time violence was plotted.
Nehemiah prayed for protection and asked God to strengthen them. The work continued to half the walls height rebuilt. The attacks were amped up. By this time, the people were growing weary. They were physically tired from the hard labor but the needling of the enemy was getting to them as well. Things looked hopeless. Nehemiah prayed again.
Accomplishing any large task, filling any position of calling has pressures. Fostering discouragement is easy. The task looks too big, the reality of things changing appears impossible. The man of the hour, Nehemiah, was on some levels on his own. Yes, he had others working for him but the isolation and feeling alone were there as he was supposed to be strong. Many times we feel this way as well. Add to this the naysayers who ridicule, mock or quietly are non-supportive or worse, silent. You feel alone and isolated. At times it seems not worth it.
But there are keys to be found in this chapter when such discouragement you yourself may be experiencing. Already spoken of, Nehemiah prayed. In this chapter, he prayed two different times. He’s honest in these prayers – and when we pray we need to not candy coat what we’re feeling and how we need an intervention. But there is such power to prayer – we must not forget that. The second thing Nehemiah did was even though he prayed, he continued to prepare and plan. When the waves of threats came down upon them, the people not only kept on keeping on, they posted a guard against the threat. They kept a vigilant watch. Half the men did the work while the others stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and armor. They joined forces to work and protect. Even the workers carried their materials with one hand and a sword in the other. They looked out for one another. Another critical aspect.
“Fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14
This call to perspective rallied the troops. The reality of this war was real. And wherever you may be, the great task God has called of you, this same battle cry holds true. Fight through for those whom God has called and placed upon your life and within your care.
Nehemiah 4 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
This chapter is a case study for how the enemy works when you decide to follow through with God’s calling.
In Nehemiah 3, Nehemiah planned a strategy to get the walls up all at the same time and patch the gaps very quickly. Here in Chapter 4, we read that the people worked hard. They were able to get the entire wall joined together and built to half its height. During this process, the enemy was also hard at work.
Mockery
When the enemy stirs others to mock us, the ultimate goal is discouragement. The most difficult part about mockery is when it’s founded in truth. Satan is the master of half-truths and doesn’t play fair. He will drum up anything and everything in order to stop us dead in our tracks. “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
These were all questions that God’s people were probably asking themselves. Mockery based on truth produces doubt which is an absolute faith-killer. You can bet that when you step out to do the work of the Lord, mockers will come hot and heavy. God’s people responded with prayer!
Prayer
Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders.
Nehemiah 4:4-5 HCSB
Today, the direction has changed but the need for prayer has not. Jesus has set us free from justice and revenge through His love.
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.
Romans 12:19-20 HCSB
Action
The spiritual life of a mature believer is not solely rooted in prayer. There is warfare. Nehemiah let the insults roll off his back, but he knew the strength of the enemy and he prepared the people for war. Often, we respond to threatening situations with prayer but neglect the spiritual armor God has provided for us. I have been in several situations where I have expressed a troubling situation to a fellow believer only to hear that they will “pray about it.” Prayer is essential, however, after seeing several of these scenarios play out, I have wondered if their words are simply a lazy way to avoid acting. I would rather someone tell me they just aren’t committed than to hide behind a facade of spiritual lingo.
Nehemiah could have just checked the prayer box and moved on. He could have hid behind the spiritual lingo. He knew better. He understood the task at hand and the strength of the enemy. I get the impression Nehemiah didn’t do anything halfway. He gave 100% with his prayers and 100% with his actions. Nothing was going to stop him from fulfilling the burden the Lord had placed on his heart. Nothing.
Is this your attitude, or have you let the enemy’s mockery discourage you? Are you hiding behind spiritual lingo? How dedicated are you to fulfilling the burden that God has placed in your heart? Where is the Nehemiah of today?