Nehemiah 4 Commentary

En Español.

There is never an end to the difficulties and attacks from the Enemy in this world. As soon as we start getting the walls and gates to defend our faith, our family, our church, the Enemy turns from subtle nagging to open rebuke and allows doubts and division to arise.

Key points:

• v1-3 The enemies rally against the building of the wall
• v4-6 The people of God plead to God and set themselves to the work (“the people had a mind to work”)
• v7-10 The enemies conspire to attack, but the Jews pray all the more and “set a watch”
• v11-14 The enemies plan a surprise attack, but the watch is set and the people are prepared with weapon in hand
• v15-18 The work continues with sword at hand…
• v18-23 …until the trumpet calls us home

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+++++++ verses 1-14.

Nehemiah 4 is an escalating struggle between the people of God and their enemies. Since Satan is on the attack, God’s people must continue to react, but it is how they react that is most noteworthy and applicable for us today. When the enemies see the wall being rebuilt they are angry and begin to mock and taunt the Jews (v1-3). It is not much different today. When a new believer is born out of the world, the world may tease the one who has chosen to draw closer to God by asking questions such as, “Why would you do that?” and “Do you think that you are better than us now?” However, Nehemiah quickly turns to God (v4-5). He doesn’t even respond to them (Prov 26:4). His petition is unforgiving toward God’s enemies, and even though it is true that we should not give a place for His enemies to enter into our lives, our minds, our families, our churches, we do still have a different response from the Jews in Nehemiah’s day. Our response is one of compassion. Instead of eagerly desiring for bad people (sinners) to receive God’s eternal judgment, we desire to see them turn from their ways and join us. We remember that we, too, were once at enmity with God and fought against Him, but now by His sacrifice and grace, we can approach Him and be united with His people, because of this we want to see others, who are currently against God, turn to Him to enjoy the company of being a part of God’s people, His family, The Church. As Christians, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual darkness behind it all, and hence our Enemy is NOT the taunting person in front of us. Knowing that God was on their side, the people continued to build the wall, because they had a “mind to work” (v6).

When the mocking does not dissuade them, the enemy becomes very angry and they begin to plot how to stop the work (v8-9). As the enemy puts more pressure on people through fear, intimidation, and distraction, the only correct response is to pray (v9). Jesus teaches us to watch and pray, especially when the Enemy is near (Matt 26:41 & Mark 14:38). We may not know when the Enemy will strike, so it is good to remain vigilant.

Watch and pray. Pray and watch.

• Psalm 5:3 – My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
• Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
• Colossians 4:2 – Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
• 1 Peter 4:7 – But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Watch and pray. Pray and watch.

Even with the knowledge that God is with us and the vigilance of watching and praying, the flesh is still weak. After the initial enthusiasm in the building of the wall has become a day-by-day chore, when the fear of attack from the enemies builds, and there are temptations to look for selfish alternatives, the strength of some becomes decayed (v10-12). First, let this not be us, but with even the greatest of intentions we will have times of weakness. In that case, we must turn to the only source of true power: Christ. Next, let us recognize when others are struggling and be ready to help them, and that help comes by equipping them with a sword that cuts through all of the enemy’s attacks, which is the Word of God (v13). Returning to verse 10, there is a word that deserves our attention: rubble (escombros). This rubble was once part of the original wall that was used to defend the city, but now, from lack of vigilance, it has become an obstacle that the Enemy can (and will!) use to hinder the people of God. Anything and everything in this world can be used by the Enemy, even the “good” things. Work is good, until it leads to neglect of family, the church, and/or the Word of God. Stability is good, until in leads one to independence from the church. Family is good, until it leads one to exclusion and isolation from the world, including the people of God. Humbleness is good, until it leads one to either be prideful, or to (de)value oneself as worthless. Clearing out the “rubble” in our lives is an important part of maintaining a strong defense. This begs the question, “What rubbish am I still allowing to clutter my life, my faith, my ____?”

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+++++++ verses 15-23.

Pray and watch. Intimate communion with our Lord and vigilant awareness of our surrounding, both emotionally and spiritually, will bring the designs of the enemy to nothing (v15). The Enemy, in all his power and subtlety, can in no way prevail against our mighty God. It is evident from the last half of Nehemiah 4 that the work of building the wall was paused for a time after learning that the enemies of God were planning a surprise attack. The time taken away from actively building the wall was not in vain; the people of God were not idle! They were moving the families into the city where it would be safer. Also, everyone was equipped with a sword (or spear or bow). This, too, is a lesson for us today in terms of managing practical ministry. At times, the active, outward, and more public forms of ministry that we are involved in may be put on hold while we tend to our families or our congregations. It can be very dangerous to forge ahead with a ministry when there are obvious signs of instability within the family, or dissension within the assembly. As we take this time to shore up our defenses, secure our families, and hold tight to that which is good and strong, we equip ourselves with the Word of God, which is our sword, and we remember that the Lord is our strong tower and all the forces of hell shall not overthrow Him. Once this is done, there should be a desire to return to the work (v15).

Upon returning to work on the wall, everyone carried their sword (v17). This must have been cumbersome and would very likely slow the workers down, yet this is how it was done. We should also carry our sword, which is the Word into every activity. It is faster to give counsel with a closed Bible, yet the counsel given from the Word is of much greater and lasting value. Furthermore, our counsel should always point to the Person and/or the Work of Jesus. If we take Him out of wisdom, then there is only foolishness (1 Corinthians 20).

While the builders worked, there were sentries that watched, and beside Nehemiah was a trumpeter (v18). Since the work was extensive and the people were separated (v19), the trumpeter was to bring everyone together to aid in the coming battle. Everyone was to listen for the sound of the trumpet and come to its calling (v20). Today, we work and we labor for the kingdom of God. We are spread out in different ministries, different locations, different peoples, but we wait for the calling of the trumpet (Matt 24:31, 1 Thess 4:16-17). At that calling, all in Christ shall be gathered together (Rev 20) and “our God shall fight for us.” 

The people labored in the work of the wall as long as there was enough daylight to be productive and safe (v21). When night came, the people moved into the city, behind the half-built walls where it was safer (v22). Also, by being closer together, they were able to keep a better watch on each other and foil the schemes of any enemy subterfuge. We too need to use the time that is given us to labor in His work, whether that be in the evangelism of lost souls or the building of the fellow believers. Our Lord will always shed light for us to do His work. We should be ready and willing to set ourselves to the task that He gives. We should always find protection and unity when we gather together.