Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4:1

3. External Hindrances and Special Precautions (Chap. 4)4:1-6 When Sanballat and Tobiah . . . mocked the early rebuilding efforts, Nehemiah responded by prayer and went on with the work. While the imprecatory language of verses 4 and 5 was acceptable in the Dispensation of Law, it would not be suitable for Christians in this Age of Grace (Rom_12:19-21). Soon the wall reached half its intended height. 4:7-14 External pressure from the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites was not the only threat; at times the immensity of the job almost crushed the Jews. The seemingly unending piles of rubble sapped their strength and drive (v. 10). When their countrymen living outside Jerusalem warned of imminent attack, Nehemiah positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall and armed the workers, encouraging them to “Remember the Lord . . . and fight.“4:15-23 With the element of surprise lost, Judah’s enemies abandoned their plan for a direct attack. From that time on, half the Jews worked at construction, while the other half stood guard. Even the builders carried weapons. Nehemiah kept a trumpeter with him at all times to sound the alarm in case of attack and rally the men who were spread out along the wall.

Those who came from outside the city were ordered to spend the night in Jerusalem so as to be readily available if needed. Their strategy was to pray, watch, and work. The people emulated the courage and resoluteness of their indomitable leader. Nehemiah, his relatives, his servants, and the Persian guard that accompanied him gave themselves no leisure as they kept vigil over the city.