The book of Nehemiah took place in the mid to early 400s BC while the Jewish people were under Persian rule. The walls of Jerusalem have been broken down the gates of the city destroyed by fire. News of this saddened Nehemiah and he requested permission from the king to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. Typically, the rebuilding of a conquered city's walls was seen as a threat to the ruling empire, but Nehemiah was allowed to do so because of his closeness to the king. As our story begins, he has recently begun work on the rebuilding of the walls.
When Sanballat heard that Nehemiah and the Jewish people were rebuilding the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And Sanballat said in the presence of his bothers and the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for the themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?" Tobiah was beside him, and he said, "Yes, what they are building - if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!" Then Nehemiah prays, Hear O our God, for we are despised. Turn back the taunts of Sanballat and Tobiah on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, not let their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. So Nehemiah and the Jews built the wall, and the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
What are some things we see in this part of the story that we can apply to our lives today?
- When the Jews faced the mocking and harassment of Sanballat and Tobiah, it didn't stop them. They turned to God in prayer for the Lord's protection from their enemies. But how else could they have responded to the taunting? What if they had lashed out at their enemies instead of praying? What would the armies have done to them if they had done that? But since Nehemiah did pray, they received blessing from the Lord and continued work on the wall.
- I spent most of my time thinking on this story likely the same way most people do, focusing on Nehemiah and his people's resilience and skipping over the actions of Sanballat and Tobiah. When I paused to look at them, I had to ask myself if I have I ever mocked, insulted, or said something to someone that would discourage them from doing a good work, or dare I say it God's work, just because it wasn't what I thought they should be doing? I'm thankful that the Lord offers grace to me that I don't deserve for my ill thoughts and actions toward others, and I pray that I can be an encourager to someone today and help build walls instead of tear them down.
This story is found in Nehemiah 4:1-6...full story is through verse 17.
When Sanballat heard that Nehemiah and the Jewish people were rebuilding the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And Sanballat said in the presence of his bothers and the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for the themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?" Tobiah was beside him, and he said, "Yes, what they are building - if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!" Then Nehemiah prays, Hear O our God, for we are despised. Turn back the taunts of Sanballat and Tobiah on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, not let their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. So Nehemiah and the Jews built the wall, and the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
What are some things we see in this part of the story that we can apply to our lives today?
- When the Jews faced the mocking and harassment of Sanballat and Tobiah, it didn't stop them. They turned to God in prayer for the Lord's protection from their enemies. But how else could they have responded to the taunting? What if they had lashed out at their enemies instead of praying? What would the armies have done to them if they had done that? But since Nehemiah did pray, they received blessing from the Lord and continued work on the wall.
- I spent most of my time thinking on this story likely the same way most people do, focusing on Nehemiah and his people's resilience and skipping over the actions of Sanballat and Tobiah. When I paused to look at them, I had to ask myself if I have I ever mocked, insulted, or said something to someone that would discourage them from doing a good work, or dare I say it God's work, just because it wasn't what I thought they should be doing? I'm thankful that the Lord offers grace to me that I don't deserve for my ill thoughts and actions toward others, and I pray that I can be an encourager to someone today and help build walls instead of tear them down.
This story is found in Nehemiah 4:1-6...full story is through verse 17.
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