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N EH EMIA H 4
immediately across from his own house. 29 Next
Zadok son of Immer also rebuilt the wall across
from his own house, and beyond him was Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the gatekeeper of the
East Gate. 30 Next Hananiah son of Shelemiah
and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired
another section, while Meshullam son of Berekiah rebuilt the wall across from where he lived.
31 Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the
wall as far as the housing for the Temple servants and merchants, across from the Inspection Gate. Then he continued as far as the upper
room at the corner. 32 The other goldsmiths and
merchants repaired the wall from that corner to
the Sheep Gate.
Enemies Oppose the Rebuilding
1*San bal lat was very angry when he
learned that we were rebuilding the wall.
He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian
army officers, “What does this bunch of poor,
feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think
they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices?* Do they actually think
they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing
beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would
collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
4
• Quitting
NE H E MIA H 4 :1 -2 3
Nehemiah had every reason to give up
on his dream of rebuilding the wall of
Jerusalem. Resources were short (they
had to dig stones from the burned rubble
to reuse on the new wall). The volunteers
he had recruited were overwhelmed
and tired. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked
their efforts and plotted against them.
Nehemiah even received death threats.
No one would have blamed him for
quitting. But Nehemiah is a study in
courage, visionary leadership, and
perseverance. He instilled courage in
his workers by reminding them that God
was on their side. He mobilized a plan to
provide round-the-clock protection as the
work continued. Most of all, Nehemiah
stayed focused, not on the obstacles
and dangers, but on the vision God had
given him of a rebuilt Jerusalem. And
Nehemiah’s vision was fueled by prayer.
When you feel like quitting, remember
God’s promises, use your gifts to the
fullest, and return again and again to
prayer.
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4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are
being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on
their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore
their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they
have provoked you to anger here in front of* the
builders.”
6 At last the wall was completed to half its
height around the entire city, for the people had
worked with enthusiasm.
7*But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the
Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that
the work was going ahead and that the gaps in
the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they
were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and
fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded
the city day and night to protect ourselves.
10 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there
is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be
able to build the wall by ourselves.”
11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying,
“Before they know what’s happening, we will
swoop down on them and kill them and end
their work.”
12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came
and told us again and again, “They will come
from all directions and attack us!”* 13 So I placed
armed guards behind the lowest parts of the
wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people
to stand guard by families, armed with swords,
spears, and bows.
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called
together the nobles and the rest of the people
and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy!
Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious,
and fight for your brothers, your sons, your
daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
15 When our enemies heard that we knew of
their plans and that God had frustrated them,
we all returned to our work on the wall. 16 But
from then on, only half my men worked while
the other half stood guard with spears, shields,
bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed
themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who
were building the wall. The laborers carried
on their work with one hand supporting their
load and one hand holding a weapon. 18 All the
builders had a sword belted to their side. The
trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials
and all the people, “The work is very spread
out, and we are widely separated from each
other along the wall. 20 When you hear the blast
of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding.
Then our God will fight for us!”
4:1 Verses 4:1-6 are numbered 3:33-38 in Hebrew text.
4:2 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. 4:5 Or for
they have thrown insults in the face of. 4:7 Verses 4:7-23 are
numbered 4:1-17 in Hebrew text. 4:12 The meaning of the
Hebrew is uncertain.