Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“They replied to me, “The survivors in the province who have survived the captivity are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned in the fire.” When I heard these words, I sat and wept and mourned for days, and I was fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.” (Nehemiah 1:3-4)

Nehemiah was written between 445 and 420 B.C. with Ezra being traditionally credited as the author. Naturally, there is a lot of overlap between Ezra and Nehemiah, taking place at the same time in many of the same places with the same people. Nehemiah records one of the last historical events in the Old Covenant. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the Persian ruler and gets made the Governor of Judah. He is sent to make Jerusalem a more politically and militarily secure site. He accomplishes this in the face of armed opposition from those surrounding Jerusalem and Judah. Nehemiah is a textbook on how to be an effective and godly leader. Ezra happened sixteen years after the events of Esther, and Nehemiah opens twelve years after the end of the book of Ezra.

Chapter one reveals that although the Temple had been completed, enemies of the Jews had written to the king of Persia and halted the rebuilding of Jerusalem itself. There was a place to worship, but no security for the people. Nehemiah sought God FIRST. He prayed for mercy and asked for help asking for help from the king. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king, a position of great responsibility, so he interacted with the king regularly.

Chapter two shows that Nehemiah was so affected by the news he heard of Jerusalem that the king and queen noticed. Nehemiah was nervous, but having given the care over to God, trusted in Him and told the king his desire. He wanted to go and help his people. Nehemiah had a relationship with this king and his queen. They knew him and valued the kind of man he was. When God added His favour, there was no stopping it. Nehemiah was granted letters of permission and letters to get the materials he needed to repair the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and the enemies of the Jews were upset that someone had come with Jewish welfare in his heart. He toured the city in secret, and then revealed his presence to his fellow Jews and their enemies. He did not allow those who sided with their enemies have ANY part in the project.

Chapter three shows the methodology of the repairs. First they built part of the wall (such as a gate), it lists who did it and what they did, and then they sanctified that finished piece to the Lord. The pieces people repaired were the sections in front of (or directly nearby) their homes. The account starts at the sheep gate, goes around Jerusalem, and ends at the sheep gate.

Chapter four documents the beginning of the opposition to their project. Sanballat was very angry this was happening and mocked them. He was the governor of the province and perhaps felt threatened. Nehemiah’s response was to seek God and let HIM care for the situation. His prayer was consistent for the Old Covenant, but NOT new New Covenant. This is NOT how we are taught to treat OR pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14). Although they heard that Sanballat and his compatriots (Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites) were going to attack them, Nehemiah had the men set watches day and night. People were set to watch over the workers and their families with sword, spears, and bows. He encouraged the people not to be afraid, but to trust in the Lord. Half the people worked and half stood on guard with spears at the ready. It slowed, but did not stop, the work. There were trumpets with each group. If anyone sounded the trumpet, the others were to go assist them. They even slept in their clothes, ready for a fight at any time day or night.

Summary

Key Players: God, Nehemiah, King of Persia, the Jews, Sanballat, Tobiah.

Key Verse(s): Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:11-20; 3:1; 4:1-5