Bible Study - Nehemiah (3) - Persist - Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18 - August 5, 2018

Bible Study – Nehemiah (3) – Persist – August 5, 2018

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Nehemiah: Building a Life of Service.”

Our focus scripture is Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18.

Doing GOD’S work brings out detractors and opposition.

Guess who uses others to thwart GOD’S work? You guessed it, Satan. Satan does not want Christians to live in GOD’S Grace. Satan loves nothing better than using others, their positions, wealth, influence, power, circumstances, religious influence and so much more to discourage GOD’S people. Christians must yield their lives to the authority of GOD so they can experience GOD’S overwhelming presence in their lives. When they do, it is an overwhelming relationship. It is the peace that passes understanding which is present in the midst of the storms of life.

Yes, JESUS defeated Satan when HE gave HIS life to redeem all who will place their faith in HIM. Even though GOD’S Kingdom was established upon earth at the moment GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead, the battle for the souls of every person rages on. JESUS’ death and resurrection established GOD’S absolute authority upon earth. Who do Christians do battle with? The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12-13:

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Since Christians are NOT in battle with flesh and blood, they must adorn themselves for battle “against rulers, against authorities, against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Can we get a glimpse of the battle Nehemiah faced from these unseen forces working through earthly forces? Yes! Does what was going on then, remind you of some of the things which are taking place today?

How do Christians cope with these unseen forces? Certainly, Christians must suit up for battle each day with the full armor of GOD as Paul reveals in Ephesians 6. But also, Christians are to be armed with scripture such as 1 John 4:4 - 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (Satan, evil spirit world and his demons), because the one (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan and his demons) who is in the world. JESUS has defeated Satan and taken him captive.

This is a good verse to memorize and speak out loud when Satan comes knocking on your life’s door.

Let’s explore!

In last week’s study, we saw the planning that Nehemiah put into rebuilding Jerusalem and the walls. A plan is one thing but the plan must be implemented. We must keep in mind that the Jews had attempted to rebuild Jerusalem and the walls for 100 years without success. So the governors in the provinces surrounding Jerusalem had no confidence that Jerusalem would be rebuilt this time. But what the leaders in the surrounding provinces did not know was that Nehemiah was called by GOD to complete the work. When GOD wants a project completed and the person responding looks to GOD, it will be done.

Does that mean no opposition or distractions? NO! This is where having the right relationship with GOD is vital e.g. trusting GOD when what our physical eyes see things differently.

GOD’S Work Will Ignite Ridicule and Opposition:

Let’s read Nehemiah 4:1-3: 

Opposition to the Rebuilding

1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 

2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” 

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Sanballat was the governor of Samaria. He is one of three who antagonized Nehemiah and those helping to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls. The other two were Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian.

Their first approach was a war of words. They accused Nehemiah and those helping to rebuild Jerusalem of rebelling against the emperor. Well, we know that Nehemiah had gotten the approval of the emperor. If he had not gotten the emperor’s approval there would have been trouble in Jerusalem.

Notice, the war of words when Sanballat learned that Nehemiah and his group were actually rebuilding and making progress.

Sanballat was:

-         Angry and incensed

-         Ridiculed the Jews

-         Degraded them in the presence of others

-         Postulated their inability by espousing questions – feeble, inability, will give up, abandon the rebuilding project because they are lazy, fail to accomplish worship, the effort is bigger than their resolve to restore and likely many other disparaging words toward the Jews.

Tobiah the Ammonite added his insults by saying the Jews were incompetent in rebuilding even a wall because even a small fox jumping onto it would tear it down. Archaeological evidence confirms that the walls built under Nehemiah’s supervision were approximately nine feet thick and very sturdy.

How did Nehemiah respond to such ridicule? Let’s read on ---

Let’s read Nehemiah 3:4-5:

4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 

5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. 

Nehemiah prays while they keep working. When we have been called by GOD, we could meet opposition but when we do, we need to pray and continue to press forward.

In Spite of Opposition, Prayerfully Do What GOD Has Led You to Do.

Let’s read Nehemiah 4:6-9:

6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 

When the going gets tough, those who are called focus on the objective and press forward. They rebuilt the walls up to half its height. Those building the walls were determined to show progress.

7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 

8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 

There was an active underground communication system between the progress of the Jews and those who opposed them. When the opposition heard that progress was being made by the Jews the opposition became very angry. The opposition had the power to thwart the rebuilding effort but the Jews had an even greater power on their side – GOD! When we are called and powerful forces surround us that is when our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS kicks in. We pray and seek guidance which can range from doing nothing, to wait upon the LORD or to respond as the Holy Spirit leads us.

So how did Nehemiah respond?   

9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. 

They prayed and prepared. Often, when we are threatened, we panic. But when we are confident in GOD and our relationship with HIM that is all we need to press on in times of trouble. Remaining steadfast is a witness to onlookers. Preparation for what may come is a visible sign of our resolve and sends a message to the opposition.

So Nehemiah posted armed guards day and night to meet this threat. Yes, GOD was with them but they also had to apply GOD’S wisdom to the situation at hand. The same is true for us today.

Let’s read Nehemiah 4:10-13:

10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 

11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 

12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 

13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 

Even when GOD calls, the enormity of what lies ahead can over whelm us. If it overwhelms GOD’S called leader, that spells trouble. Leaders keep going when the going gets tough.

We read that the people began to raise doubts regarding the ability of the workers to complete the project such as “the laborers are just plain tired”, “just look at what is yet to be accomplished,” “our enemies will take this opportunity to come among us and kill us,” just think about it, if “wherever we turn the opposition surrounds us,” – what are we to do?

Nehemiah was called by GOD and GOD gave him the answer to these questions as we read in verse 13. He did not just post a person but he posted families at strategic/vulnerable points in the wall, equipped to fight, if necessary, until the walls were complete. Responding in this manner sent a message to the enemy that the Jews had the resolve to fight, if necessary, to complete the wall.

Satan will try many ways to discourage those rebuilding their lives to give up. We must keep in mind that HE is our strength but we must have the faith. It is our faith in JESUS that will see us through the rough spots in our lives.

Those who have sin issues in their lives, must rebuild the walls of resistance while looking to GOD/JESUS for their help. The enemy/temptation surrounds all of us but GOD has called us to come to HIM and seek HIS strength to overcome them by having the right relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS. Satan will do all he can to make you doubt GOD’S ability. Trust GOD during these times. With every rock you place on your walls of resistance to rebuild the walls of your life, greater strength will come. Just say NO! And turn your physical and Spiritual eyes upon JESUS. ‘Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.’

Yes, Satan has been defeated but as the Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:8:

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

A roaring lion is a hungry lion. Be wise and vigilant!

When we diet what should we do? We should stay away from the foods that we like but we know do not help us achieve our objective. What happens when we take a bite of a forbidden food? It breaks down a barrier. Then often our resistance goes out the window and tear down what we have built. When we stray, immediately rebuild the wall and reinforce it. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to be led by HIM and not the things that bring us harm both physically and Spiritually.

Do Your Work with Vigilance in the Face of Opposition.

Let’s read Nehemiah 4:14-18:

14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 

Often, we have to be reminded that in rebuilding the walls in our lives for whom we are fighting. We must keep in mind that the LORD is with us and it is HIS power that sustains us. There are those in our lives who will benefit from us overcoming the issues in our lives besides us – families, sons, daughters, wives and homes. These are what matters in life. Fighting now for what is important leads to more secure and happy futures.

15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. 

16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah

17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 

18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. 

Rebuilding and resolving to complete the work requires constant vigilance and preparedness to do battle, when necessary. 

Press on rebuilding the walls of resistance to the onslaughts of the enemy in the power, strength and name of JESUS!

Let’s read Nehemiah 4:19-23:

19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 

20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” 

21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 

22 At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” 

23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.

They were surrounded by the enemy and an attack could come from anywhere. So again we see the wisdom of GOD revealed through Nehemiah. He established a warning system and kept the workers and guards armed. They remained vigilant because they knew the potential danger. Since they did not take time to remove their clothes, they may have been a little smelly but the walls got done.

Rebuilding is never easy but it is worth the effort when it is complete. Whenever something has been completed, what has been rebuilt must be maintained.

Our study has application today in America, to our lives and to future generations. Rebuilding is not easy. Even today, do you see those who do not want a strong America? There will be much opposition but if we remain focused and vigilant objectives will be obtained. We must pray for our country, our lives and the lives of fellow Christians and those yet to become Christians and our homes. It is time to rebuild America and family values based upon faith in JESUS, Who is the light of the world and the only hope for eternity.

Blessings!!!