Introduction
- Nehemiah is a great study of leadership; also shows obedience to God
- Remember we saw Nehemiah’s assessing of the project before him, and,
-- He also revealed the mission God had given him to his team
-- We also noted that the job would be tough … and there would be distractors
- In all of these things one thing is clear: Nehemiah trusts God to be faithful
-- APP: He knows that God has called him, and so it is God that he will obey
-- Great encouragement of the faith today … pray you’ll see that as well
- Read Nehemiah 4:1-23 / Pray
- Returning to the chronological events the construction is underway …
Point 1 – Dealing with the Opposition
Sanballat, one of the chief detractors, flies into a rage and mocks the workers
Remember, he is the governor of Samaria; has marriage ties to the high priest
His anger comes from one place: this is a threat to MY power and position
Interesting enough, he is using a very common form of attacking
First, he does so in private with sniping comments (Ch 2), to public ridicule
Even turning it into a person attack (v2) he attacks everything they hold dear
Look: “do they think … will they offer sacrifices to finish quicker”? (sarcasm)
APP: If you want to hurt someone, go for their inner core, what hold sacred
Even Tobiah joins in mocking the poor construction methods (v3)
OK, look, this is the epitome of a puppet on a string … “let’s all join in”
“I mean, if the governor of the region is complaining, I should pile on!”
APP: Lots to be gleaned here about having power and what you say …
Lots of opportunities for response … I love the approach Nehemiah takes
Nehemiah, very publicly, does one thing: Goes to God in prayer!
His focus is on the honor and protection of his people doing the right thing
Re: It is because of the shame of the state of Jerusalem that he went there
So, with the annoyance of the complainers, Nehemiah fights back WELL
He is convinced that God has led him and these people to restore the wall
Why? For the pride of Jerusalem, their ancestors, and their God
Sanballat and his cronies were (absolutely) their opposition in this
Re: A rising Jerusalem could pose a threat to the region / balance of power
Now, notice the approach Nehemiah takes in prayer here … very specific
He is not asking for God to smite them, not even that they would be silenced
No, instead he is using a simple biblical approach: “you reap what you sow”
(v4) “May the scoffing fall back on their heads …”
What Nehemiah is asking is for them to experience what the Jews have
Removed from their land, held captive in foreign places, shunned in life
Understanding what the people had gone through, he cries out to God for help
TJ: “Lord, let them feel what we have, and perhaps it might hush them up”
And after he prayed, look at v6 … nothing else is said about it
APP: The results are in God’s hands, and I’m not going to worry about it
I have work to do, here in front of me, and this noise is not going to undo it
BIG: Imagine if we did that same thing in our church / work / life?
“God, you are bigger than this, so to you I will put my trust ?
? and after that … because of who you are … I will get back to work!”
What the faith does not need is more Eeyore’s … we need Nehemiah’s!
- TR: We need men and women who are willing to …
Point 2 – Be Prepared for War
Right on cue, Sanballat and his folks are annoyed / furious with the progress
Their meeting of the minds is simple: we must stop this at all costs
They devise a war plan, a strategy to stop this progress from moving forward
It is their desire to overthrow this progress, and stop Jerusalem’s restoration
So, what does Nehemiah do? (v9) He prays to God for protection (theme)
Even considering the people complaining about the work, they have a mission
Re: One of the enemy’s greatest weapons is the spirit of Discouragement
“There’s too much to do, we are so tired, how will we ever do this ….”
APP: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time (i.e., rebuilding)
Discouragement gets you thinking about “you” and how hard things seem
It does not have any room for trusting God, so your emotions take over
And what does the enemy do when you are feeling this way? He attacks!
APP: Word has obviously reached Sanballat that workers are feeling this way
(v11) So we see their reaction: “A-ha! They are weak! Now is our chance!”
It is not a new opposition strategy, but certainly an effective one …
And it gets the best of them (v12) – “… they will come from everywhere!”
A quick worry gets a quick response: Nehemiah places guards everywhere (v13)
He stopped the work, brings everyone together, and addresses them all
Even asks them to come in full battle dress, and stand with their families
APP: A leader knows when to refocus efforts, this is a great example of this
Looking them over, he gives the best “prepare for war” speeches (read v14)
First, he appeals to the Jews religious convictions: identity as God’s people
Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious
Then, asks them to remember what and WHO they are fighting for!
Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, & your homes
Re: They are standing in family groups, side by side with their loved ones
Nehemiah says: This is what matters, and you must be willing to defend them
Today: This is no different than us right now – we must be willing to fight
We must know what is important, and be able to see the job ahead of us
What is the job? To tell people about Jesus because He is worth fighting for
The faith is our stronghold; it is our defense against the world; find comfort
- TR: Once you have a purpose, you can …
Point 3 – Focus on the Mission
And one of the critical pieces of work is having contingency plans
Although the immediate crisis was averted … the threat always looms large
So, half of Nehemiah’s workers did the work while other half stood guard
They not only stood guard, but boosted the morale of the workers
APP: If you’re working and someone is protecting you, you’ll work focused
Even more, some worked with one hand at the wall and the other on weapons
Then, Nehemiah put a trumpet player at his side to sound the alarm (v18)
He calls everyone together and this time gives an encouraging speech (v19-20)
If they come attacking, you come to where you hear the trumpet sound
Critical: As you come running ready to defend, the battle will be the Lord’s
Want to look at this for a moment … and apply it to Seasons Church
What if our faith was this strong in God’s ability to fight for us?
What if we did what we knew we should do, and let God do what He does?
If you believe that what’s being done is right by God, then who do we fear?
It’s at least worth examine the principle and applying it to ourselves …
Not only were these people armed and ready; they even extended work shifts
They stood guard, focused on the work; and always kept vigil for the enemy
Nehemiah never asked others to do what he wasn’t willing to do (v23)
Re: A leader goes the way and shows the way in everything
- TR: So, how do we tie this chapter up and leave with some application?
Big Idea: Obedience to God is hard work!
There will always be resistance to the work of God
Ridicule and violence are the weapons of the enemy (esp. to the Gospel)
Being prepared for the attack is our calling: weapons: prayer and scripture
How do we use these weapons today?
Faithful prayer allows us to call on God’s strength for protection
Being devoted to what God promises/directs is the fuel to drive our prayers
It is why Nehemiah was able to respond quickly – he honored the Lord!
The question is, will we show the same resolve in our faith / work ahead?
