Inthe book of Nehemiah chapter 4 Nehemiah has rallied the Jews to begin torebuild the walls of Jerusalem that have been down for many years. The gateshad burned and all kinds of things went in an out with no restraints what soever. As they started to rebuild the words of discouragement came from theoutside by Sanballat and Tobiah. Sanballant made fun of them while Tobiahbelittled them about how weak their work was. When others see you doingsomething it is easy for them to make fun of what you are doing; and then tellyou that what you are doing is useless and you’re wasting your time by doingit. Now Nehemiah encouraged the Jews to keep working and they did. This displeased Sanballat and Tobiah and theyand their people decided that the only way to stop them was by attacking them.
Nehemiah4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah,and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the wallsof Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped,then they were very wroth,
Nehemiah4:8 And conspired all of them together to come and tofight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. What is Nehemiah going to do?I think you’ll be surprised to see what he instructs his people to do. Nowthese Jews had been working on the wall independently but Nehemiah doessomething different. I think if I had been in charge I would have put what Ithought to be the biggest and the meanest out front. I then would have workedback from that and finally would have put the women and the children in the rear.No, that’s not what Nehemiah did; he put the families together and said don’tworry about the walls or Jerusalem. Then what are we fighting for Nehemiah? Ilove what Nehemiah said.
Nehemiah4:13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, andon the higher places, I even set the people after their families with theirswords, their spears, and their bows.
Nehemiah4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and tothe rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: rememberthe Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren,your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Nehemiahstationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at theexposed places; but here’s the twist he placed them by families. He then toldthem to not be afraid remember the Lord who is great and terrible and he tellsthem to fight for your brethren, your sons, daughters, your wives and yourhouses. Nehemiah knew that if they were fighting for the city and the wall,then the people might not fight for the wall could be rebuilt and so could thecity. Now the family is much different. I think it should be the same in ourlives you and I can replace things but not lives and to use the word fight; ourfamilies are worth fighting for. Our friends are worth encouraging and our Lorddeserves our praise for He is still Great and awesome. Encourage someone youlove today. It will do you both good.
