A. INTRODUCTION
1. Where does opposition come from?
a. Satan hates you. “The Devil as a roaring lion . . . seeking whom he may destroy” (I Peter 5:2).
b. The principle of deterioration.
c. The principle of sinful nature.
d. You may be your worst obstacle.
2. How does opposition come?
a. Subtle (Gen. 3:1).
b. Intimidation.
c. Rumors.
d. Family pressures.
e. Compromise (Matt. 10:36).
f. Persecution (John 15:20).
B. OPPOSITION TO REBUILDING THE WALL
You must realize that there will always be opposition to God’s work. “It grieved them exceedingly . . . to seek the welfare of the children of Israel” (Neh. 2:10).
FIRST ATTACK – RIDICULE: “Sanballat . . . mocked the Jews” (4:1).
1. Ridiculed and put them down. “What can these feeble Jews do?” (4:2).
2. Questioned their ability. “Can weak people fortify the walls?” (4:2, ELT).
3. Questioned their spiritual purpose. “Will they sacrifice?” (4:2).
4. Questioned their determination. “Can they finish in a day?” (4:2).
5. Questioned their resources. “Can they find stones in all the rubble?” (4:2, ELT).
ANSWER:
1. Tell God. “Hear us O God, we are despised” (4:4).
2. Pray against the enemy. “Curse them with their curses” (4:4, ELT).
3. Recognize the source of ridicule.
SECOND ATTACK – THREATS: “They plotted . . . to fight against Israel” (4:2).
ANSWER:
1. “We prayed to God” (4:4).
2. Constant vigilance. “We guarded the city day and night” (4:8).
THIRD ATTACK – COMPLAINTS: “The people of Judah began to complain . . . the workers were getting tired and there was so much rubble” (4:10).
ANSWER:
1. Realize, Satan will stop you from within if he can’t do it from without.
2. Get the big vision.
3. See the final completion.
4. Realize why you are building.
FOURTH ATTACK – INNER FEAR: “Before you know it, the enemy will sneak up when you don’t know it and kill you” (4:11, ELT).
ANSWER:
1. Challenge, “Don’t be afraid” (4:14).
2. Remember the guards. “I placed armed guards” (4:13, LB).
3. Remember your weapons, “with spears, shields and bows” (4:11).
FIFTH ATTACK – DISCOURAGEMENT: “They told us ten times . . . they will attack you from every direction” (4:12, ELT).
ANSWER:
1. Put guards between workers and the enemy (4:13).
2. Know your strategy. “Half the men worked, while the other half stood guard” (4:16, LB).
3. Each one purposed to build and battle. “One had a sword, the other had a trowel” (4:17, ELT).
4. Point to God. “Remember our Lord is powerful who will fight for us” (4:14, ELT).
5. Know the enemy’s strategy. “We were aware of their plot” (4:15).
SIXTH ATTACK – SELFISHNESS: “We can’t buy food to survive” (5:2). The rulers were taxing the poor, and the rich loaned money at usury rates.
ANSWER:
1. Nehemiah recognized his fault. “I myself have been lending money” (5:10, LB).
2. Repent. “Let us stop” (5:10, LB).
3. Rectify. “You must restore” (5:10, LB).
4. Commitment. “They called the priest and formally vowed before them” (5:12).
SEVENTH ATTACK – COMPROMISE: “Sent a message asking me to meet them at . . . Ono” (6:2, LB).
ANSWER:
1. Keep focused. “I am building a great wall, so I cannot come down” (6:3).
2. Realize the consequences. “Why should the wall cease” (6:3)?
3. Don’t listen to contrary voices. “Shemaiah said . . . let us hide in the temple, so they will not kill us” (6:10, ELT).
4. Pray for wisdom. “Why should I as a lender run” (6:11)?
RESULTS: On October 2, the wall was finally finished – just 52 days after we had begun” (6:15).
1. Enemy defeated. “They were cast down in their own eyes” (6:16).
2. God was magnified. “This work was wrought of our God” (6:16).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
To email Dr. Towns - eltowns@liberty.edu.
