Nehemiah 4: Facing Opposition with Faith and Action
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Nehemiah 4 is a powerful testament to the challenges faced when pursuing God's will and how to overcome them. It’s a chapter filled with opposition, discouragement, and threats, but also with faith, prayer, and unwavering determination. This chapter provides valuable lessons for anyone striving to rebuild, restore, or pursue a God-given vision in their own life.
The Rising Tide of Opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-3)
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall wasn't met with universal applause. As Nehemiah and the people began to make progress, Sanballat became furious when he heard that the Jews were rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 4:1). Opposition is often a sign that you're on the right track, that you're doing something significant that threatens the status quo. When you are determined to fix your life, your family, your church, or your society, people will show up to tell you why it shouldn’t and can’t be done. Sanballat and his allies saw the Jews' success as a direct threat to their own power and influence. This highlights a critical truth: opposition often stems from self-interest and fear.
Instead of offering constructive criticism, Sanballat and his friend Tobiah resorted to ridicule and mockery (Nehemiah 4:2-3). They belittled the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete the task. Tobiah even sarcastically remarked that even a fox could knock down the wall they were building. Such discouragement can be incredibly damaging, especially when the task at hand already feels overwhelming. It’s easy to become disheartened when others try to diminish your efforts and make you doubt your capabilities.
It's important to remember that criticism often comes when you're actively engaged in something meaningful. If you're never criticized, it might be a sign that you're not taking any risks or pursuing any significant goals. Taking a right stand will often invite critique. Sometimes, the criticism might even contain a grain of truth. The wall the Jews were rebuilding was indeed less impressive than the original. However, the key is not to let the negativity paralyze you but to use it as fuel to persevere.
Nehemiah's Response: Prayer and Trust (Nehemiah 4:4-6)
Nehemiah's response to this opposition is a masterclass in leadership. He didn't engage in petty arguments or retaliatory attacks. Instead, he turned to God in prayer (Nehemiah 4:4-5). He understood that vengeance belongs to the Lord. By entrusting the situation to God, Nehemiah avoided the trap of personal retaliation, which would have ultimately undermined his efforts and canceled out divine benefits.
Nehemiah's prayer was a plea for God to defend His people and to turn the insults of their enemies back upon themselves. This demonstrates a deep trust in God's justice and His ability to protect those who are faithful to Him.
Crucially, Nehemiah didn't just pray; he also inspired the people to keep working. Nehemiah 4:6 states that "the people worked with all their heart." This highlights the importance of a willing spirit and a determined mindset. When the people had the will to keep working, it meant it was in their hearts and minds to persevere. The greatest task that God has in people’s lives is changing our minds to trust that, with his help, we can do anything. When people come together with this and a will to work at whatever task is ahead, we will get a better end scenario.
Escalation and Vigilance (Nehemiah 4:7-9)
When ridicule failed to stop the rebuilding, Sanballat and his allies escalated their tactics. They conspired to attack Jerusalem and create confusion (Nehemiah 4:7-8). This demonstrates that opposition often intensifies as progress is made. The enemy will not give up easily.
Nehemiah responded with a two-pronged approach: prayer and practical action (Nehemiah 4:9). He and the people prayed to God and stationed a guard to protect the city. This highlights a crucial principle: prayer must be accompanied by action. It's not enough to simply ask for God's help; we must also be proactive in using the resources and abilities He has given us.
This verse reminds us that true faith is demonstrated by our actions. You can’t say, “I’m praying that God gives me a job,” without going job-hunting in the meantime. When you pray, you are trusting God so much that you feel confident that you can do something. Prayer is the preamble to action.
Overcoming Fear and Fatigue (Nehemiah 4:10-14)
As the opposition mounted, the people began to grow weary and discouraged. The rubble was immense, and the task seemed impossible (Nehemiah 4:10). The enemies were also plotting in secret, adding to the fear and uncertainty (Nehemiah 4:11).
Nehemiah, however, refused to succumb to fear. He encouraged the people to remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and to fight for their families and homes (Nehemiah 4:14). By reminding them of God's power and the importance of their cause, he rekindled their courage and determination. Satan wants us to forget the Lord. Nehemiah encouraged the people not to be afraid but to remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord. The people of God need a shared vision: we, too, are brothers and sisters in arms, facing a shared enemy in the spiritual battle of the cosmos.
Balanced Approach: Faith and Prudence (Nehemiah 4:15-23)
Nehemiah's leadership is further exemplified by his balanced approach to the situation. He understood the need for both faith and prudence. Even after learning of the enemy's plot, he didn't abandon the work or rely solely on divine intervention. Instead, he armed the people and organized them to work and defend themselves simultaneously (Nehemiah 4:16-18).
This demonstrates that trusting God doesn't mean being passive or irresponsible. It means utilizing the resources and abilities He has given us to the fullest extent, while also relying on His strength and guidance. To use available means without prayer is to be self-sufficient. To pray and not use available means is to be irresponsible. Prudence utilizes the resources that God has given to maximize our ability to do what God has called us to do.
Nehemiah's strategy was both practical and inspiring. He divided the people into working and fighting groups, ensuring that the work could continue while also providing protection from attack. He also established a system of communication, using a trumpet to signal an alarm in case of danger (Nehemiah 4:19-20). This demonstrates his strategic thinking and his commitment to protecting the people under his care.
The workers held spears, shields, bows, and armor (Nehemiah 4:16), while saying, Our God will fight for us! (Nehemiah 4:20). They were dependent on God. But, because God had given them weapons, they trusted him to use those means he’d provided to do whatever fighting needed to be done.
Lessons for Today
Nehemiah 4 offers timeless lessons for anyone facing opposition in their own lives. It reminds us that:
- Opposition is often a sign that you're on the right track. Don't be discouraged by criticism or setbacks.
- Prayer is essential. Turn to God for strength, guidance, and protection.
- Faith must be accompanied by action. Use the resources and abilities He has given you.
- Remember God's power and faithfulness. He is greater than any obstacle you face.
- Perseverance is key. Don't give up, even when the task seems overwhelming.
Nehemiah's example encourages us to face our challenges with courage, faith, and unwavering determination, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed and you can move mountains (see Matthew 17:20). So often, our underlying problem is not that we need great faith, but that we have a small God in our minds. You need a little bit of faith in a big God, not a lot of faith in a little God.
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Nehemiah 4 is a powerful testament to the challenges faced when pursuing God's will and how to overcome them. It’s a chapter filled with opposition, discouragement, and threats, but also with faith, prayer, and unwavering determination. This chapter provides valuable lessons for anyone striving to rebuild, restore, or pursue a God-given vision in their own life.
The Rising Tide of Opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-3)
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall wasn't met with universal applause. As Nehemiah and the people began to make progress, Sanballat became furious when he heard that the Jews were rebuilding the wall (Nehemiah 4:1). Opposition is often a sign that you're on the right track, that you're doing something significant that threatens the status quo. When you are determined to fix your life, your family, your church, or your society, people will show up to tell you why it shouldn’t and can’t be done. Sanballat and his allies saw the Jews' success as a direct threat to their own power and influence. This highlights a critical truth: opposition often stems from self-interest and fear.
Instead of offering constructive criticism, Sanballat and his friend Tobiah resorted to ridicule and mockery (Nehemiah 4:2-3). They belittled the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete the task. Tobiah even sarcastically remarked that even a fox could knock down the wall they were building. Such discouragement can be incredibly damaging, especially when the task at hand already feels overwhelming. It’s easy to become disheartened when others try to diminish your efforts and make you doubt your capabilities.
It's important to remember that criticism often comes when you're actively engaged in something meaningful. If you're never criticized, it might be a sign that you're not taking any risks or pursuing any significant goals. Taking a right stand will often invite critique. Sometimes, the criticism might even contain a grain of truth. The wall the Jews were rebuilding was indeed less impressive than the original. However, the key is not to let the negativity paralyze you but to use it as fuel to persevere.
Nehemiah's Response: Prayer and Trust (Nehemiah 4:4-6)
Nehemiah's response to this opposition is a masterclass in leadership. He didn't engage in petty arguments or retaliatory attacks. Instead, he turned to God in prayer (Nehemiah 4:4-5). He understood that vengeance belongs to the Lord. By entrusting the situation to God, Nehemiah avoided the trap of personal retaliation, which would have ultimately undermined his efforts and canceled out divine benefits.
Nehemiah's prayer was a plea for God to defend His people and to turn the insults of their enemies back upon themselves. This demonstrates a deep trust in God's justice and His ability to protect those who are faithful to Him.
Crucially, Nehemiah didn't just pray; he also inspired the people to keep working. Nehemiah 4:6 states that "the people worked with all their heart." This highlights the importance of a willing spirit and a determined mindset. When the people had the will to keep working, it meant it was in their hearts and minds to persevere. The greatest task that God has in people’s lives is changing our minds to trust that, with his help, we can do anything. When people come together with this and a will to work at whatever task is ahead, we will get a better end scenario.
Escalation and Vigilance (Nehemiah 4:7-9)
When ridicule failed to stop the rebuilding, Sanballat and his allies escalated their tactics. They conspired to attack Jerusalem and create confusion (Nehemiah 4:7-8). This demonstrates that opposition often intensifies as progress is made. The enemy will not give up easily.
Nehemiah responded with a two-pronged approach: prayer and practical action (Nehemiah 4:9). He and the people prayed to God and stationed a guard to protect the city. This highlights a crucial principle: prayer must be accompanied by action. It's not enough to simply ask for God's help; we must also be proactive in using the resources and abilities He has given us.
This verse reminds us that true faith is demonstrated by our actions. You can’t say, “I’m praying that God gives me a job,” without going job-hunting in the meantime. When you pray, you are trusting God so much that you feel confident that you can do something. Prayer is the preamble to action.
Overcoming Fear and Fatigue (Nehemiah 4:10-14)
As the opposition mounted, the people began to grow weary and discouraged. The rubble was immense, and the task seemed impossible (Nehemiah 4:10). The enemies were also plotting in secret, adding to the fear and uncertainty (Nehemiah 4:11).
Nehemiah, however, refused to succumb to fear. He encouraged the people to remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and to fight for their families and homes (Nehemiah 4:14). By reminding them of God's power and the importance of their cause, he rekindled their courage and determination. Satan wants us to forget the Lord. Nehemiah encouraged the people not to be afraid but to remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord. The people of God need a shared vision: we, too, are brothers and sisters in arms, facing a shared enemy in the spiritual battle of the cosmos.
Balanced Approach: Faith and Prudence (Nehemiah 4:15-23)
Nehemiah's leadership is further exemplified by his balanced approach to the situation. He understood the need for both faith and prudence. Even after learning of the enemy's plot, he didn't abandon the work or rely solely on divine intervention. Instead, he armed the people and organized them to work and defend themselves simultaneously (Nehemiah 4:16-18).
This demonstrates that trusting God doesn't mean being passive or irresponsible. It means utilizing the resources and abilities He has given us to the fullest extent, while also relying on His strength and guidance. To use available means without prayer is to be self-sufficient. To pray and not use available means is to be irresponsible. Prudence utilizes the resources that God has given to maximize our ability to do what God has called us to do.
Nehemiah's strategy was both practical and inspiring. He divided the people into working and fighting groups, ensuring that the work could continue while also providing protection from attack. He also established a system of communication, using a trumpet to signal an alarm in case of danger (Nehemiah 4:19-20). This demonstrates his strategic thinking and his commitment to protecting the people under his care.
The workers held spears, shields, bows, and armor (Nehemiah 4:16), while saying, Our God will fight for us! (Nehemiah 4:20). They were dependent on God. But, because God had given them weapons, they trusted him to use those means he’d provided to do whatever fighting needed to be done.
Lessons for Today
Nehemiah 4 offers timeless lessons for anyone facing opposition in their own lives. It reminds us that:
- Opposition is often a sign that you're on the right track. Don't be discouraged by criticism or setbacks.
- Prayer is essential. Turn to God for strength, guidance, and protection.
- Faith must be accompanied by action. Use the resources and abilities He has given you.
- Remember God's power and faithfulness. He is greater than any obstacle you face.
- Perseverance is key. Don't give up, even when the task seems overwhelming.
Nehemiah's example encourages us to face our challenges with courage, faith, and unwavering determination, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed and you can move mountains (see Matthew 17:20). So often, our underlying problem is not that we need great faith, but that we have a small God in our minds. You need a little bit of faith in a big God, not a lot of faith in a little God.