In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. In captivity he had heard it was in ruble and the people in trouble:
Nehemiah 1:2-3 (ESV)
... that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
As a result he asked the foreign king to give him permission to go back to the Israel capital city, with money and permission to rebuild it. As the reconstruction started to unfold, however, Nehemiah encountered three problems.
Problem #1 - the people living in the land at the time opposed them. We must recall that they were in captivity in that foreign land for 70 years. During that time non-Jews began to occupy the villages and towns around Jerusalem. To them, this was THEIR land. They had made a plot to attack those who came back with Nehemiah and stop the construction project.
Problem #2 - the people doing the work began to fail in strength. We read in chapter three about all those who did the work. It was a daunting project. It is doubtful they had many tools. It is questionable some of them even knew what they were doing. We read that the priest, perfumers, goldsmiths and merchants did the work. They weren’t professional construction workers from the nearby union shop. Their energy was slipping.
Problem #3 - their own neighboring Jews were encouraging them to stop the work and come to their already built towns and homes. There is one thing to have the work tire you out. It is another thing to have the enemy threaten you. But to have your own blood dissuade you from doing the work would be a morale killer.
What was Nehemiah’s solution to these problems?
1. Look upward! He caused them to quit looking at their own brothers, their enemies and the work. Instead he caused them to look up and not out. He told them to cast their eyes on the Lord, who is great and awesome.
2. Look outward! He had them look to their left and their right to see their brothers, their sons, their daughters and their wives and their homes. Instead of looking within he wanted them to see that this fight was not about them, but for others.
What was the result of Nehemiah’s inspirational words?
Nehemiah 4:15 (ESV)
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
When we focus on God’s power and those we love we have motivation to do the work we might loath.
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