Nehemiah 4
Nehemiah 4
Nehemiah 4 opens with opposition to the rebuilding of the walls. We had met Sanballat and Tobiah in chapter two, but now that progress is being made, they were “angry and greatly enraged.” Even the people began to complain, “There is too much rubble.” Ironically, the threat from the outside raged at the progress, while the threat from the inside distressed at the seemingly impossible work left to do.
Nehemiah was clearly upset by the threats from Sanballat and Tobiah. In verses 4–5 we read a very harsh prayer from Nehemiah against his enemies. We see these kinds of prayers in Scripture and I’m not sure if it’s right or wrong to emulate such a prayer. However, God is good, and you can share what’s on your heart in prayer—even if it’s extreme anger at people frustrating the Lord’s work. God is the best person to go to when you’re angry.
The late great preacher, J. Vernon McGee said, “When a man prays for a corn crop, God expects him to say ‘Amen’ with a hoe.” Nehemiah took his anger to the Lord, he prayed for protection, but then set about planning to fight for what the Lord had called him to do. He stationed guards and even armed those who were working.
Two verses jumped out at me reading this passage. First, Nehemiah urged the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Sometimes we get so comfortable in life we forget the spiritual war raging around us. We have an enemy that is angry and greatly enraged at the Lord’s work. Satan looks at our lives and looks at the culture around us and accuses us saying, “Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burn them?” “How can you do anything good for the Lord from the ‘heaps of rubbish’ in your life?” “Why bother trying to make an impact when the world is so broken?” “What you’re doing doesn’t matter, it’s impossible.”
Note what Nehemiah said for facing opposition. First, don’t be afraid. Second, we shouldn’t be afraid because the Lord is great and awesome. Finally, remember who you’re fighting for and realize they are worth it.
The second verse that jumped out is the end of verse 23, the last words of the chapter, “none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand.” One of my seminary professors often quoted the saying, “You should be ready to preach, pray, or die at a moment’s notice.” As I read of Nehemiah in the fight of his life, I think of that often-quoted statement. Again, comfort is often the enemy of readiness. We are all only a phone call away from this being the worst day of our lives. For somebody out there, today is the worst day of their lives. Are we ready to face those challenges in ourselves or as we walk alongside others?
Questions for reflection:
What does readiness look like in your life?
What comforts distract you from being ready?
Who are you fighting for and how are you fighting?
By: Tyler Short
Nehemiah 4 opens with opposition to the rebuilding of the walls. We had met Sanballat and Tobiah in chapter two, but now that progress is being made, they were “angry and greatly enraged.” Even the people began to complain, “There is too much rubble.” Ironically, the threat from the outside raged at the progress, while the threat from the inside distressed at the seemingly impossible work left to do.
Nehemiah was clearly upset by the threats from Sanballat and Tobiah. In verses 4–5 we read a very harsh prayer from Nehemiah against his enemies. We see these kinds of prayers in Scripture and I’m not sure if it’s right or wrong to emulate such a prayer. However, God is good, and you can share what’s on your heart in prayer—even if it’s extreme anger at people frustrating the Lord’s work. God is the best person to go to when you’re angry.
The late great preacher, J. Vernon McGee said, “When a man prays for a corn crop, God expects him to say ‘Amen’ with a hoe.” Nehemiah took his anger to the Lord, he prayed for protection, but then set about planning to fight for what the Lord had called him to do. He stationed guards and even armed those who were working.
Two verses jumped out at me reading this passage. First, Nehemiah urged the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Sometimes we get so comfortable in life we forget the spiritual war raging around us. We have an enemy that is angry and greatly enraged at the Lord’s work. Satan looks at our lives and looks at the culture around us and accuses us saying, “Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burn them?” “How can you do anything good for the Lord from the ‘heaps of rubbish’ in your life?” “Why bother trying to make an impact when the world is so broken?” “What you’re doing doesn’t matter, it’s impossible.”
Note what Nehemiah said for facing opposition. First, don’t be afraid. Second, we shouldn’t be afraid because the Lord is great and awesome. Finally, remember who you’re fighting for and realize they are worth it.
The second verse that jumped out is the end of verse 23, the last words of the chapter, “none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand.” One of my seminary professors often quoted the saying, “You should be ready to preach, pray, or die at a moment’s notice.” As I read of Nehemiah in the fight of his life, I think of that often-quoted statement. Again, comfort is often the enemy of readiness. We are all only a phone call away from this being the worst day of our lives. For somebody out there, today is the worst day of their lives. Are we ready to face those challenges in ourselves or as we walk alongside others?
Questions for reflection:
What does readiness look like in your life?
What comforts distract you from being ready?
Who are you fighting for and how are you fighting?
By: Tyler Short
2 Comments
Thank you Tyler! That was a very challenging passage and commentary today. We indeed have a spiritual enemy coming against us daily, but our God is greater.
Thanks Pat. I've been challenged a couple times with this even after I wrote it.