“So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.” — Nehemiah 4:21

Today’s text recounts some of the resistance that Nehemiah and his fellow workers faced. The opposition of their neighboring enemies was strong. 

On July 4, 1993, during the camp meeting in Portland, Oregon, veteran pastor Dick Taylor used today’s focus verse as the text of his sermon. He read the verse, “So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.” Then he said, “They got up on that wall they were building, and when the sun started to lighten the sky in the morning, the enemy could look up there and see the silhouette of those warriors standing with their spears in their hands. 

“And the warriors were there all day. The Bible says they held the spears ‘from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.’ It sounds as if they didn’t lay their weapons down. Rather, they held them up, sending the message, ‘Take a look! We’re ready to fight the battle. If you want to test us, just come on up here!’ The next day, the warriors were still there. And the day after that. And the day after that.” 

Brother Dick repeated for emphasis, “Every morning, the enemy could see the silhouette of those men in their places, standing for what they knew was right. Through the heat of the day and then as the sky started to darken in the evening, they could look up and see the men with their spears. They were still standing in their places. Those warriors paid the price of protecting the city.” 

Brother Dick went on to exhort his listeners, “There is a price for every one of us to pay. Somebody else doesn’t fight all the battles. Somebody else doesn’t pray all the prayers. We all need to get there and get the job done! 

“Yes, there’s a price to pay. There are consecrations to make. The old Gospel chariot is going to move along, but it’s going to move along because you pushed and pulled, because you helped it get out of the mudholes along the way. It takes those who will be faithful, those who are determined not to let anything discourage them.” 

That admonition is still good for us today. As Brother Dick challenged his listeners, we can learn from the example of Nehemiah and the Jewish workers on the wall. We can purpose to be faithful in our service to God, whatever our roles might be, so that others can see the light of Jesus shining through us. May God help us to rise to the challenge as the people of Nehemiah’s time did!

BACKGROUND

In chapter 4 Nehemiah described the opposition directed against the rebuilders of Jerusalem’s wall. Hostility toward the workers and their efforts was exhibited in three ways: through ridicule, anger, and attempts to discourage them. 

The opposition by the Jews’ enemies is recorded in verses 1-6. Sanballat, mentioned in verse 1 and in preceding chapters, was a leading opponent. His designation as “the Horonite” indicates that his town of origin was probably Beth Horon, located about twelve miles from Jerusalem. An ancient document from that period refers to Sanballat as “governor of Samaria.” When he learned that work on the wall had begun, he was furious, and sarcastically mocked the Jews in an attempt to intimidate them. Verse 2 indicates that he even brought the army of Samaria to join him in a barrage of criticism and ridicule. While reasons for Sanballat’s opposition are not given, some Bible scholars suggest that Samaria’s economic supremacy in the region would be threatened by a restored Jerusalem. Others propose that Sanballat may have wanted to become governor of Judea as well as Samaria, and Nehemiah’s appointment to that role destroyed his hope. 

Verse 3 records that an Ammonite officer named Tobiah joined Sanballat in the ridiculing, criticizing the quality of the work the Jews were doing. Nehemiah knew that taunts could demoralize the workers, so he prayed that God would reverse the situation and allow Judah’s enemies to be taunted instead of them (verses 4-5). And the work on the wall continued despite opposition. The statement in verse 6 that the wall was joined “unto the half thereof” meant that the people had completed half the height of the finished wall. The verse also gives the reason for this progress: the fact that “the people had a mind to work.” 

Verses 7-9 record that when the wall was almost continuously joined around the city, Sanballat and Tobiah joined with allies from neighboring countries and planned a coordinated effort against the Jews. Since the project had the official support of Artaxerxes, it is likely their intent was merely to display military force near the wall of the city without physically attacking it. Nehemiah prudently prepared for further opposition. Again, he prayed about the matter, and then set an additional watch that stayed on duty day and night. 

Verses 10-14 record that the workers who were simultaneously working, praying, and watching became discouraged. Inhabitants of the land “which dwelt by them”—evidently people from communities on the outskirts of Jerusalem—suggested that the builders return home. In response, Nehemiah placed guards on the “lower places behind the wall” (locations where the wall was not rebuilt to its final height) and armed fighting forces on the higher places where they could advantageously resist the enemies. He also addressed the people of Jerusalem, encouraging them to put their trust in the Lord, and reminding them that they were fighting for their own families and homes. When the Jews’ opponents realized that Nehemiah was aware of their plans and that “God had brought their counsel [plans] to nought” they gave up their attempts (verse 15). 

Verses 16-23 describe Nehemiah’s plan to provide an ongoing defense of the city while the rebuilding continued. The workers kept swords at their sides as they labored with trowels in their hands to get the work done. They employed a system of communication utilizing trumpets that could sound an alarm at a moment’s notice. The builders dedicated themselves zealously to their sections of the wall, working hard from sunrise to past dark, even spending the night on the wall to protect the city against attack.

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE

II. The restoration of the wall by Nehemiah
    C. The opposition to the work
         1. The opposition through ridicule (4:1-6)
             a. The ridicule by Sanballat and Tobiah (4:1-3)
             b. The prayer of Nehemiah (4:4-6)
         2. The opposition through anger (4:7-9)
             a. The hatred of Sanballat and Tobiah (4:7-8)
             b. The prayer and watch of Nehemiah (4:9)
         3. The opposition through discouragement (4:10-23)
             a. The spirit of defeatism (4:10-12)
             b. The remedy for defeatism (4:13-23)
                 (1) The encouragement to faith (4:13-14)
                 (2) The work of the people (4:15-23)

A CLOSER LOOK

1. According to verse 9, what did the Jews do when their enemies came against them?
2. What does “a mind to work” in verse 6 imply?
3. In verse 14, Nehemiah challenged the people to “remember the Lord.” How will remembering what God has done be an encouragement to us?

CONCLUSION

God is looking for those who will faithfully labor in their places and stay watchful against the assaults of the enemy.