4:1-3 Operation Rebuild-Jerusalem's-Wall was the project Israel needed to fortify their faith. The project required commitment, hard work and persistence through opposition, doubt and lethargy. Opposition's voice became more prominent and persuasive as Israel broke ground on profound purpose. Though Sanballat, his cohorts and army were a distraction, they were an essential one.
For Israel (or any child of God) to survive in faith, they had to learn how to dismantle the power their enemy's mockery over their minds. Their faith needed to learn to trust and thus persist despite conditions in its periphery. When we put the kingdom of God in our sight and focus steadily on it, God takes care of the threatening noise alongside our faith.
4:4-5 Nehemiah entered Jerusalem during a spiritual crisis. His torment was not simply over the condition of Jerusalem's wall (important though it was). Nehemiah was tormented by the crumbled and thus ineffectual faith of his people; for if they continued to live without a relationship with God, the condition of their wall would be irrelevant.
Israel was not unaffected by Sanballat's taunts, but they brought their despair to God. A prayer is made in this verse for God to deal with the situation. The enemy was thwarting the progression of God's mission, not just the personal agenda of a few. Affiliation with God's mission comes with the protection of God; Sanballat thought he taunted mere men but he was up against Righteousness Itself.
4:6 The people poured their effort into the construction of the wall and steadily it came together, encircling the region and reaching half its height. Their progress, even before it reached fulfillment, was hard earned. Dedication yields results and rewards but it is a process. A study half-wall was a massive, collective accomplishment but it was not yet enough to prevent an enemy army.
When as individuals we enter into covenants with God, we can expect the same process to unfold within our own lives. The walls we build with God are meant to be pillars of strength and protection: patience, wisdom, humility, compassion, perseverance, trust. When we begin to construct patience, for example, we do not immediately start out with an abundant supply or even the necessary skill to employ it. During our progressive but incomplete states, we need to rely on Him to fortify us.
4:7-8 Sanballat's insults turned into actual threats as he observed Israel's success. A large group began to amass and plot against their progress.
4:9 Again, Israel was not unaware or unconcerned about the threats around them. We can imagine that there was fear within the region, rumors of impeding invasions discussed over family dinners and between neighbors and friends. But Israel continued to pray to God and He helped them to remain collected and organized against threat and fear. They organized a night watch; the wall would never be unattended and therefore enemies could not catch them unaware or unprepared.
4:10 Threats came from outside the walls but inside as well; the people of Judah's pressured frustration became homegrown threat. They felt that the strength of their laborers was insufficient as well as the conditions for building.
4:11-12 They were scared. They felt that their enemy's had the opportunity, passion and might to secretly attack. They had the people constantly feared and it hindered their production and enthusiasm for the wall.
4:13-14 Frightened though they were, Israel continued to behave wisely under Nehemiah's instruction. He armed and positioned men to protect the wall from all sides at all times, but most importantly, Nehemiah positioned his people in faith in God. He reminded them of how the strength of God over-powered and out-performed their enemies. Nehemiah inspired a spirit of faith and camaraderie by reminding Israel that together, they would protect what was most precious to them: their wives and children and friends.
In the midst of our own fear and doubt and threat, we too must remember that our God over powers and out performs every enemy we have: mental or physical, real or imagined. We must remember that we align ourselves with God because we agree with His principles of love and peace, family and compassion.
4:15 God fulfilled His promise of protection; their enemies backed down when they realized their plan was known. They had no element of surprise and their zeal sputtered out; God ensured Israel had no weakness, they were not vulnerable: they were informed and prepared. Frequently the moments we most realize God's strength is when we see our enemies shrink from His mere shadow hovering over them as He stands behind us. Before He even makes a move, just His presence is our lives is enough to fortify us.
Threat neutralized, Israel got back to work. When God provides us with material and opportunity (and protection) we should make the most of it. They did not take time to boast or celebrate, they returned their focus to the task at hand. The reason God neutralizes our threats is so that we can continue on in our integral, purposeful work within His kingdom.
4:16-20 They remained prepared as they worked. Along with their wall-building tools and materials, Israel remained armed. They set up a system of warning (trumpets) in order to quickly alert the region of intruders and simultaneously continued to strengthen the wall.
4:21-23 Except to wash, the laborers remained at the wall and active. It was arduous, constant work but faith and obedience to God kept them from folding.
There is a lesson to be gleaned from this wall-building business. In Nehemiah's time, the strength and condition of a nation's wall exhibited to other people how strong or weak the nation was. A well fortified wall kept enemies at bay but also boasted a powerful nation. If the children of Israel were to represent God, their wall (built and fortified by faith) needed to be impressive.
The (walls) lifestyles and governments and systems we build for our families and communities within our world represent who we are and the God we serve; based on our values, they are meant to establish, protect and serve the people within them. God helped Nehemiah and the Israelites to build a wall that would protect the within. Such protection comes from God as an element of the covenant with God we make: to build ourselves to build and serve the without, those who are not ourselves.
There is an understanding God's children must have with Him: He blesses us, and with those blessings we bless others. He helps us, and with His help, we help others. He strengthens us so that we are strong enough to lift the weak. If God makes you a strong wall, there is something or someone He wants you to protect.
