Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4:1-6

God’s work must needs meet opposition from a wicked world. 1. Their enemies mocked and ridiculed them, and they outspired with their prayers, ver. 1—6. 2. By the vigilantes and courage of Nehemiah, their attempts to interrupt the work is defeated, ver. 7—23.

1. BUT it came to pass that ‘when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was wroth, and God’s great indignation, and ‘mocked the Jews. 2. And he spake before his brethren, and the army of Samaria, and said, What do ’there feeble Jews? will they forcibly themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt? 3. Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone-wall. 4. ‘Hear, O our God, for we are despised: and ’turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: 5. And ‘cover not their iniquity, and let not their lie be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. 6. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people’ had a mind to work.

Never did the caule of God begin to prosper, but the enemies of God began to malign and resist it. Let us never be discouraged if we see this old enmity revive.

1. Sanballat and Tobiah, the sworn enemies of the Jews, no sooner have intelligence of the design, than, vexed at the heart, they let themselves to oppose it. They treat the double Jews with scorn, ridicule the attempt as impracticable; mock the hopes they entertained, that they should finish the work, and dedicate it with sacrifice; and Tobiah wisely represents their contemptible efforts, as if the wall was to low, a fox might leap over it, and the materials to weak, that his feet would throw down their building. Note, (1.) Ridicule and contempt are some of the sharp arrows in the world’s quiver, which they never fail to throw at God’s faithful labourers. (2.) Though many pretend to mock and despise the work of God, at heart they are grieved, and fear whereunto this will grow. (3.) One wicked man encourages another; but though scuffers make their bands strong, God will cover them shortly with confusion.

2. Nehemiah prays against the reviling of his enemies; and, if he can interest God’s regard for him, little cares for their opposition, which he knows God will then turn to their own shame. Note, (1.) The way to answer the scorn of the world, is by carrying our case to the Lord our God: he heareth, and judgeth. (2.) They who would be Christ’s servants, must expect the world’s ill word and abide. (3.) Though we may not, from a spirit of private revenge, pray against men’s opposition, we cannot but with God would glorify himself, and vindicate his own cause in the confusion of all his enemies. (4.) They who discourage the hearts of God’s faithful labourers, treasure up a peculiar measure of wrath against the day of wrath.

3. The people, more encouraged by Nehemiah’s prayer, than deterred by their enemies chiefly, tailed the wall all round the city to half its height, for their hearts were in the work. Note, (1.) Much may be done in a little while, when all are hearty in lending their assistance. (2.) We need not fear the reviling of men, when we are assured of the blessing of God upon our labours.

4. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Afroditees heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wrath. 8. And ‘conquered all of them together, to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. 9. Nevertheless, ‘we made our prayer unto our God, and ’let a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10. And Judah said, ‘The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so that ‘we are not able to build the wall. 11. And our adversaries said, ‘They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and say them, and cause the work to cease. 12. And it came to pass that when the Jews which dwelt by them, came, they said unto us ten times, from all places, whence we shall return unto us, they will be upon you. 13. Wherefore let him the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, ‘Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15. And it came to pass when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and ‘God had brought their counsel to mough, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.

Nehemiah 4:7-12

When secret reviling prevented not the progress of the building, by open force they prepared to resist it.

1. Sanballat and Tobiah engaged the Arabians, Ammonites, and Afroditees, to assist them, and join their forces to attack the Jews, whose prey they alike hated, and whose growing prosperity they evinced. To crush them therefore in the bud, they in great wrath formed a league, fiercely contriving to fall upon the builders before they were appraised of their danger, and there to massacre them, unarmed and unprepared; the consequence of which most needs be the interruption of the building. Note, (1.) The hatred of the wicked is a deadly hatred, that thirteenth for the precious life. Persecution of God’s people are ever cruel. (2.) When God’s caule is to be oppressed, they who were never so much at variance among themselves, will cordially unite their forces against this hard object. (3.) Though craft and power be with the enemies of God’s church, he that fiftieth above the heavens mocks at their impotent attempts.

2. The faintheartedness of some of the men of Judah was as great a discouragement, as the threatening of the Samaritans. Wearied with the service, disheartened at the difficulties, and despairing of success, they are ready to make their efforts, as if tired out, and unable longer to support the fatigue. Note (1.) Whilst without are fightings, within will often be fears. (2.) Unbelieving Ilustrates are a greater hindrance than infidel enemies.

3. Intelligence was brought of their enemies designs, either by friends, who wished them to be prepared, or by false-hearted Jews, gained over by the Samaritans, who sought to discourage their brethren; as it may be rendered, instead of, from all places where we shall return unto us, they will be upon you; from all places we come, that ye may return to us; have yourselves from danger, return every man to his city, and leave the work alone. Note, (1.) Though the councils of the wicked are more so fa-

Before Christ and 1 Chap. d. 19. 1 Hon. Atembid. 2 Can. 10. 13. Note 2 Chom. 14. 1. Mark. v. 9. 2 Or. 10. 1. Note 4 Pl. 1. 15. 5 Mat. 24. 1. 6 See Nam. Rev. 9. 7 Nutt. 10. 11 Pl. 10. 6. 8 Or. From all places we come, that ye may return to us. 9 Pl. 10. 6. 1 Heb. From the lower parts of the places. 2 Num. 10. 3 Hand. 10. 1 Ioh. 12.

behind the cret, God can detest and disappoint them. (2.) False friends are more dangerous than open enemies.

4. Nehemiah bravely and prudently provided against the impending danger. To God he first committed their case, in free vent prayer for direction and support; then placed a proper guard, some behind the wall, where it was lowest, and others on the higher part, or towers, whence they could most incommode the enemy. And, as he perceived them in condemnation, he encourages them to trust on God, their almighty aid, whose arm could easily halle their foes; and animates them to fight, from the consideration that these all was at flaky, and on their courage the safety of all depended. Note, (1.) In every diftreft our first recourse should be to God. (2.) Every prudent human means must be diligently used in dependence on him. (3.) Nothing inspires the heart of a believer with such courage, as the views of that almighty grace engaged for his support.

5. The enemy bearing their design discovered, and the preparations made to receive them, defiated from their enterprise, and the work again happily went forward. Note, Experience of God’s care over us should engage our increasing fidelity and zeal in his service.

6. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and ye builded: and he that founded the trumpet was by me. 19. And I said unto the nobles and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. 20. In what place therefore ye hear the found of the trumpet, refoil ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. 21. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears, from the rising of the morning, till the stars appeared. 22. Likewise at the same time, said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. 23. So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, I saving that every one put them off for washing.

Hsh. On his men. Ibid. 10. 14. 21. Dust. 1. 26. Rom. 9. 31. Or, every one went with his weapon for water; 10. Judg. 1. 12.

Nehemiah 4:16-23

Though the present storm was blown over, Nehemiah took care to be always prepared for any unforeseen attack. Security is dangerous: it becomes the soldier of Christ, to be continually on his guard.

1. Half Nehemiah’s guards were ready accoutre’d continually, whilst the other half worked on the wall, and relieved each other. Every builder had his sword on his thigh, and his weapons ready at hand, that at a moment’s warning he might be ready. Their rulers also stood behind them to encourage them, and Nehemiah kept a trumpeter near him, that at any approach of danger, on the signal given, they might immediately assemble in a body where he was. Note, (1.) They who labour for God, ever need the sword of the spirit, that they may be ready armed against every enemy. (2.) Union among Christians is their great stability. (3.) They who are distinguished in station, gifts, or office, must be encouraged of others by their zeal and examples.

2. To strengthen them against any surprise by night, Nehemiah caused all the country labourers to lodge in the city, that they might be at hand in case of attack. As for himself and his attendants, they never put off their clothes, unless to change, or to walk for any ceremonial uncleanness. From the dawn of day to the twilight they held their spears; and at night, whilst some kept guard, the rest were ready at a moment’s call. Note. (1.) As we are ever in danger, we must watch always: our spiritual enemies neither sleep nor slumber. (2.) Any hardship will the good soldier of Jesus Christ cheerfully endure, when called to it for the glory of God, and the service of immortal souls.