Nehemiah – Work With No Doubts; Watch With No Fears
Nehemiah 4
You will recall that before the work on the wall began, opposing voices were raised against Nehemiah and his people (Nehemiah 2:19), At that time, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem laughingly ridiculed them and derided their ability and authority to pursue this task.
However, when the workers gathered and set about with Nehemiah’s assignments, those adversaries seemed quite surprised, and their demeanor quickly changed. “When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he was distressed, and he was furious and was mocking the Jews” (vs. 4:1). [Note: this section is found in the latter section of Chapter 3 in the Orthodox Study Bible. We will be referring to it in Chapter 4 of the New King Kames Version]
Here, as some have suggested, it appears that Sanballat had some commanding rank in the Persian army. The Persian king, Artaxerxes, had stationed some components of his army in that region to guard against any attack by the forces of Egypt (vs. 4:2). So, Sanballat was trying to gather support from others as he railed against the Jews. Tobiah chimed in and belittled the Jews’ ability to accomplish such a work, “For even if a fox goes up on it, will it not break down their stone wall?” (vs. 4:3).
All this mockery and derision was obviously intended to discourage Nehemiah and the workers in order to raise doubts within them, to lay down their tools, and just give up.
This may well have irritated Nehemiah and the Jews and could have been getting into their minds. However, Nehemiah again turned in prayer to God and placed the problem in His hand, “Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach upon their own heads …. for they have provoked You to anger before the builders” (vss. 4:4, 5).
All the while, Nehemiah continued to lead his people with courage and confidence. So, working diligently, they were able to join the wall together throughout the perimeter and up to half its height (vs. 4:6). Despite those negative voices and mockery, “the people had a mind to work” (vs. 4:6).
Furthermore, when that news reached Sanballat and his crowd, their malice intensified and they conspired to attack the city, incite confusion, and kill the workers to stop the work (vs. 4:7, 8). This tactic was designed to spread fear among them, to lay down their tools, and just give up.
Upon hearing of the planned attack, Nehemiah again prayed and then acted. He tactically positioned all the people throughout the work area, called them to be watchful at all times, equipped them with their weapons, and gave clear instructions for defending themselves and the city (vss. 4:13-23). The strategy combined constant working and continual watching.
While issuing this plan, Nehemiah unceasingly reminded his people of the presence of their God, “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” (vs. 4:14). “Our God will fight for us” (vs. 4:20).
Now, I never met Sanballat, Tobiah nor Geshem, so I can’t assess their character or motives. Neither could I label them as evil men. However, within the context of these writings, they were certainly opposing the good work of God’s people in a dishonorable manner. Therefore, as we apply the building of Jerusalem’s wall to the “wall building” in our lives, we will liken their conduct to that of the devil and his spirits.
In short, the devil’s tactics (as reflected in the outcries of those three) are also meant to evoke doubt and fear within us as we set about to build our walls.
With mockery and scorn, our enemy seeks to plant questions of doubt in our minds. “Can we really do this? Are we just kidding ourselves? Are we doomed to embarrassment and failure?” Such thoughts of doubt will rob us of our enthusiasm, zeal, and even the energy to engage in the spiritual rebuilding of our lives.
To whatever extent we can go on with this holy work, the devil’s next scheme will be to threaten us with harm to ourselves and those around us. He will want us to think we are weak and alone, that we are “just human” and no one can “be perfect”. Others may remind us that “You think you are so self-righteous and above the rest of us”, so that we fear being alienated from friends, relatives, etc. God forbid!
Dear friends, as we recognize the need to rebuild and repair the damage in our lives resulting from our sins, we may be assured that the Lord is pleased. Jesus said, “I say to you … there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents …” (Luke 15:7). Likewise, we have His promise of guidance and assistance as we, “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).
But, as you well know, our adversary, the devil, is not pleased with our decision nor our effort. Sometimes, his attempts to dissuade us come through laughter and mockery infiltrating our thoughts: “Who do you think you are? You can’t be holy; you’re just a weak sinner”. At other times, we may hear similar comments from others: “Look, we’re all just human; none of us will be perfect, so just let this go”.
But thank God, we can hear the encouraging inner voice of the Holy Spirit speaking the words of Christ to St. Peter, “Indeed, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail ….” (Luke 22:31, 32). Then we set our minds to work, and we sense some progress. Things begin to work together. Our bodies, minds, emotions, and wills begin to converge in a harmonious way, filled with hope. “We can do this.” Indeed, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Even this initial progress will kindle the enemy’s anger (Nehemiah 4:7) but our doubts and fears have been set aside by our Lord’s gifts of faith and courage. The plan going forward is clearer; “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
The work is not yet completed nor is the battle over. There will likely be some stumbling and faltering, but we “press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). By God’s grace, we can successfully build the wall of identity, protection, and community within ourselves and prevent the enemy from robbing us of the righteousness, peace, and joy we have in Christ. We must work with no doubts and watch with no fears.
Fr. Andrew
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