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2. Nehemiah Builds The Walls Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah
Ezra Teaches The Law
Nehemiah Builds The Walls
A Renewed Remnant
Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah

3. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Once again, the remnant’s enemies show anger re: the wall’s progress vv. 1-3
Sanballat mocks the Jews in the presence of other Samaritans
He calls the Jews “feeble” and questions their ability & resolve to finish the wall
Tobiah also “chimes in” with ridicule

4. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
The Scripture reveals this is a familiar “tactic” of God’s enemies when His people do His work 1 Pet 3: : Pet 3: Jude 17-23
The intention is to break the human will… if successful, nothing gets accomplished

5. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Nehemiah did not respond in kind…he didn’t get into a “mud slinging contest” Rom 12:17-21
This would have been easy to do
It takes faith in God and spiritual character to not verbally retaliate 1 Pet 2:23

6. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Once again, Nehemiah prays vv. 4-5
Like he did before 1:5-11a 2:4
He asked God to deal justly with those who were opposing him
Technically, a “Prayer of Imprecation” Psa 35, 58, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137, 140 Gal 1: Tim 4:14

7. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Once again, Nehemiah prays vv. 4-5
His prayer also illustrates the attitude Paul encourages for N.T. Christians Phil 4:6-7
Whatever anxieties we have, God wants us to bring them to Him in prayer
Only then will we be able to enjoy “peace”

8. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
The remnant showed their resolve v. 6
Under-estimated by Sanballat & Tobiah
Earlier, they had quit Ezra 4:4
Not this time…all this mocking served to motivate the remnant
They “…had a mind to work”

9. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
The remnant showed their resolve v. 6
Applications for present-day N.T. disciples
“A mind” to know the Lord’s will Jn 7:17
“A mind” to be involved in the Lord’s collective work Cor 8:12, 5
With this mind, we can do anything… without it, we can do nothing

10. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
The enemies’ next step vv. 7-8
Their mocking was unsuccessful
Now, they’ll try brute force…they aligned themselves for an attack on Jerusalem to cause disturbance

11. Sanballat (Samaritans) The remnant is surrounded !!
Neh 4:7-8
Sanballat (Samaritans)
Tobiah (Ammonites)
Ashdodites
Arabs
The remnant is surrounded !!

12. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
Nehemiah didn’t panic or give up
He prayed (...again) v. 9a 1:5-11a 2:4 4:4-5
He also set up a guard to stand watch day & night v. 9b

13. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
Proper first step = prayer to God
Yet, we still must do all we can to help ourselves
Consider Eph 6:10-18 as a N.T. parallel
Be strong in His might & pray vv. 10, 18
We still must put on the armor vv

14. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
A saying was circulating in Judea…
“The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
Yet, there is much rubbish;
And we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.”

15. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
A saying was circulating in Judea…
Different than the slander from the enemies
Slander & mockings from the outside can be dismissed or ignored easily
Doubts & fears expressed on the inside can undermine the Lord’s work

16. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
The enemies’ plan v. 11
Overwhelm the remnant…they wouldn’t know what hit them or from where until it’s too late
They didn’t just want to stop the efforts at rebuilding the wall…they wanted to kill the remnant

17. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
The enemies’ plan was thwarted vv
Those living outside Jerusalem told the remnant in the city 10 times…the “element of surprise” was lost
Nehemiah stationed men in “exposed places” and armed entire families for battle

18. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response TO the threat vv. 9-14
The enemies’ plan was thwarted vv
Nehemiah also exhorted the remnant re: their fear
“Do not be afraid…remember the great & awesome God…fight for your brothers, sons, daughters, wives, homes”

19. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response AFTER the threat vv
The enemies saw they had been thwarted... (that God had frustrated their efforts)
They apparently gave up…the remnant returned to their work v. 15
Nehemiah divided up the remnant…half stood watch while half worked v. 16

20. Work On The Wall Continues Neh 4
Response AFTER the threat vv
Even those who worked held a weapon in one hand v. 17
A bugler was ready to sound an alarm in case of an attack vv a
Our God will fight for us !! v. 20b
A constant state of readiness vv

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