Year 2, Week 27, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 27, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Nehemiah 3-4.

Today’s reading continues the Book of Nehemiah. While we moved on from the Book of Ezra, we have not moved on from Ezra. Ezra will emerge again in Nehemiah 8, for there is a close connection between the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The opening scene of Nehemiah takes place in Susa and occurs in around 445 BC, or about fifteen years after the closing scene of the Book of Ezra. Nehemiah is burdened over the lack of a wall around Jerusalem and so he is a part of a third group of returnees who will seek to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah 3 contains a long like of people who actively participate in rebuilding the wall: “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired” (Nehemiah 3:1-4a). Widespread solidarity and participation characterized the start of repairing the wall. Nehemiah 4 references the opposition and even ridicule that threatened the continued work on the wall: “Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” (Nehemiah 4:1-3).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was how Nehemiah faced opposition for repairing the wall through prayer: “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders” (Nehemiah 4:4-5). Nehemiah starts his prayer by framing it in such a way that he was appealing to God Himself as the One who is actually being provoked by the opposition. The rebuilding of the wall was not merely a personal dream of Nehemiah; Nehemiah was acting out of a burden that the LORD placed upon him. It was the LORD’s desire for the walls to be repaired around Jerusalem. Thus, Nehemiah’s passion for the LORD’s passion. Therefore, opposition to the wall was opposition against the LORD. Nehemiah’s prayer for the LORD to swiftly deal with His enemies. Nehemiah’s prayer during the opposition inspired the people to pray as well: “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:9). As the opposition increased, so did the praying.

But the prayers of Nehemiah and the people did not replace their work; their prayers sustained and stimulated their work: “So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6). However, as the work continued in the midst of elevated threats, weariness set in: “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” (Nehemiah 4:10-11). In light of the ongoing opposition coupled with the sheer difficulty of the work itself, the confidence of the people was waning. Nehemiah strengthened them in the LORD: "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 4:15). Nehemiah was not deterred, but as he was in his praying, so now in his exhortations, he is focused upon the LORD and the work at hand.

As the work on the wall continued, so did the vigilance in keeping an eye out for enemy attacks: “From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me” (Nehemiah 4:16-18). Nehemiah strategized a way that the wall would be continually worked on, but defending against enemy attack would be on high alert and preparedness. Half were watching and defending while the other half were working. And among the workers, one hand would be used to labor and the other hand would be used to keep their weapon close. The faith that was expressed through their prayers was a faith that stirred them to watch and work. They had great confidence that the LORD would protect them and see them through to the completion of the repairs: “In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe