Part 5 of 6 of the theme 'Lessons from Nehemiah‘ by Gijs van den Brink
In the previous stage, we saw how Nehemiah organized the work in Jerusalem and how everyone cooperated. Everything seems to be going smoothly and enthusiastically. And then we enter the next phase. Every innovation that God brings evokes resistance in this world. And resistance comes from two sides: from the outside and from within. About the resistance from outside, we read the following in Neh.3:33-35:
| When Sanballat heard that the wall was being rebuilt by us, he became furious, and in his exasperation he mocked the Jews. In the presence of his counterparts and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those pathetic Jews doing? Do they think they can repair the wall themselves? Do they really want to sacrifice? Do they think they can get that work done today? Are they seriously planning to reuse the stones from that totally burnt rubble?' And the Ammonite Tobia, who stood beside him, said, "No matter how hard they try at building, it only takes one fox to climb on that stone wall of theirs or it already collapses. |
The Samaritan Sanballat is annoyed and becomes very angry. He begins to mock and ridicule them. Nehemiah and the people bring everything to prayer (Neh.3:36-37). But then the opposition intensifies. We read this in Neh.4:1-3,
| When Sanballat and Tobiah, and the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the holes were slowly but surely being closed, they became enraged. They conspired to attack Jerusalem in unison and cause confusion there.
We prayed to our God, and in view of their plans we put out guards to watch them day and night. |
A few isolated individuals now become whole populations, conspiring in opposition. The great goal is to create confusion and put an end to God's work of renewal. It is very instructive to read the reaction of Nehemiah and the people. What do they do? Watching and working, keeping watch at night and working by day (Neh.4:15-17). The outside struggle has made the people one and made them spiritually strong. Everyone feels responsible to participate in the construction.
It's different with the opposition from within. About that next time.
Next time:
Part 6 of the series 'Lessons from Nehemiah' is entitled 'No renewal without justice‘
See also:
Part 4 of the series 'Lessons from Nehemiah' ‘Phase 3: Weorganizing work'
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 5 of 6 of the series "Lessons from Nehemiah” Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
