Opposition to the rebuilding – Nehemiah 4, Acts 3: 6

As the temple mount is being built at Jerusalem and the fight between Hamas and Israel escalates. I have no silver nor Gold but that which I do have I speak to you to rise UP and walk. Some situations we speak and some we speak and walk through.

It was during the rebuilding of the wall, Sanballat heard of the wall being rebuilt and was greatly incensed and angry. He discussed with his associates and the army of Samaria; about how the feeble Jews were trying to restore the wall. So, Tobiah the ammonite and Sanballat taunted the Jews that what they were building would break down and couldn’t bring stones back to life.

The Jews made a prayer to God to hear them because they were despised and turn insults back on their enemy’s head. The Jews rebuilt the wall until half its height was reached as it was said the people worked with all their heart.

Still Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard they had gone halfway and were angry. They plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.

But Israel prayed to God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. The people of Judah in fret said the strength of the LABOURERS is given out and material was diminishing, so they couldn’t rebuild the wall. it’s interesting that Judah knew what their enemies said about them stating that ‘Before they knew it or see us, we will be right there among them, and we will kill them and put an end to the work’.

The Jews who lived around them came and told Judah 10 times over that wherever they turned they would be attacked.


Solution. verse 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.
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember Hashem, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’

When their enemies knew that the Jews-Judah were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, they all returned to the wall each to their work.
Half of their men did the work, and the other half were equipped with spears, shield, bows and Armour. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore sword at their side as they worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

So, I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, The work is extensive and spread out, we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Adonai will fight for us.

SHALOM