Sunday School Lesson
All things are possible with God
Rev. James Temples

Nehemiah 4-6

In the kingdom of God, there are few - if any - one-man shows. It is necessary for many people to be involved in most of the tasks of life. This basic principle seems to have escaped the notice of certain individuals. Yet, the fact remains.

Nehemiah, cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11d; 2:1) went to the city of Jerusalem with a delegation from Shushan, the palace (Nehemiah 1:1). The purpose of this group was the rebuilding of the wall of the city. Nehemiah 2:3-8. Upon his arrival, Nehemiah waited three days before he made his personal survey of the destruction. Nehemiah 2:11-15. This leader, then, approached the local Jewish leaders, and presented his purpose. Nehemiah 2:17-20.

The record gives a list of the people who became part of the team of the wallbuilders. A reading of the list (Nehemiah 3) shows that people from all walks of life became builders. Governmental leaders, tradesmen, professionals and common people worked together on this project. The materials were supplied from the resources of the king.

As with any positive task, there was opposition to the re-building of this wall. It is important for us to remember that the wall of the city was for protection from enemies, and indicated that the city was no longer a disgrace to its inhabitants. The opposition was led by Sanballat and Tobiah. Nehemiah 2:10; 4:1,3. "…When Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews." Nehemiah 4:1. This attitude was expressed in the declarations of ridicule. Nehemiah 4:2, 3.

Nehemiah knew of this opposition. His personal response was prayer - "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." Nehemiah 4:4, 5. Nehemiah reported the actions of the workers. "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work." Nehemiah 4:6.

The attitude of the workers angered the opposition leaders. "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 fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it." Nehemiah 4:7, 8. Again, Nehemiah turned to God. "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them." Nehemiah 4:9. The negative attitude began to contaminate some of the workers. Nehemiah 4:10.

Then opposition became direct and persistent. "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." Nehemiah 4:11, 12.

These threats called for personal action. Nehemiah wrote, "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." Nehemiah 4:13. Thus, the builders had to defend their work. The workers were scattered the length of the wall - with great distance between them. Nehemiah devised a signaling system that would allow the workers to aid each other, if the enemy attacked. Nehemiah 4:19- 22. He reported that "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 4:23.

The living conditions in the city were difficult. Food was scarce and money was limited. This placed a great hardship on these people. As usual, some shrewd ones took advantage of the difficulties of others. Nehemiah, as the governor, addressed this situation, and persuaded the culprits to change their business practices. Nehemiah 5:1-14.

The opposition leaders changed their tactics. Attempts were made to lure Nehemiah from the task. Nehemiah 6:1-2. "And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" Nehemiah 6:3. However, these adversaries were insistent - "Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner." Nehemiah 6:4.

The next tactic was in the form of an open letter. Nehemiah 6:5. This letter stated that "It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words." Nehemiah 6:6. Their next point is quite interesting - "And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore and let us take counsel together." Nehemiah 6:7. The response was immediate. "Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart." Nehemiah 6:8.

Opposition can wear down the morale and even the strength of the best of the workers. The leader must do all that is within his power and ability to counteract these negative forces. Nehemiah wrote that "they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done." Nehemiah 6:9a. However, Nehemiah once more turned to prayer - "Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands." Nehemiah 6:9b.

The opposition attempted another scheme. Nehemiah was invited to come to the temple - to hide in a room - for his own protection. Nehemiah 6:10. "And I said, Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in." Nehemiah 6:11. "And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me." Nehemiah 6:12, 13. He, then, prayed regarding the opposition. Nehemiah 6:14.

We are told that "the wall was finished…in 50 and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God." Nehemiah 6:15, 16.

Most tasks are not easy. However, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31; Numbers 14:9; Psalm 118:6, 8. The promises of God remain the same. MalachI 3:6; Hebrews 13:8. May we always trust in the word of God.

Rev. James C. Temples' Sunday School Lesson has appeared in the Early County News each week since 1967. A native of Early County, Rev. Temples taught in public schools 32 years and 10 years at Southeastern College of Assemblies of God, in Lakeland, Florida. He also served as pastor and evangelist during those years. He can be contacted at P.O. Box 1569, Auburndale, Fla. 33823; 863-965-0157. Email: jctjet@aol.com.

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