4 Strategies Used by the Enemies of Believers (Part 2) (2)
Rubble to Restoration: A Study in Ezra and Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Recap:
Recap:
The two strategies that we looked at last week were:
Ridicule and mockery
Conspiring and plotting attacks
We are called to be conquers over the trials and temptations of life. Conquering all that is thrown at us by being steadfast and persevering to the end.
Also, we need to have a good reputation//be in good standing with those around us. Because it is not persecution if you are suffering because of your own sin and bad reputation. Lastly we need to be praying and standing guard.
v. 10) Strategy 3—Fatigue
v. 10) Strategy 3—Fatigue
This third strategy that the opposition was to discourage the Jewish worker was to stir up complaints of weakness and fatigue. Physically, the workers were bound to be completely exhausted. With so much rubble to remove and so much heavy wight to lift, the people’s energy no doubt was nearing empty.
As a result, some of the people began to complain of stumbling under the weight of the heavy load. Long, hard hours had weakened the workers, so the complaint was that some were about to be crushed not just physically but also mentally and emotionally.
Staggering under the enormous weight and long hours, a number of people were on the verge of collapse.
This would be the perfect time for the enemies of God’s people to discourage the people. And they would do just that. Some of these wicked leaders would arouse some of the workers to begin murmuring and grumbling against the heavy work load and long hours.
There purpose would be clear… to stir a revolt against the work of God. Why? Because these workers were cooperating with the opposition, secretly. As we will see in chapter 6, there were those who were related by marriage to the enemies of God and had apparently made some sort of deal trying to subvert the building project.
Instead of being wholly committed to the Lord, they sought to increase their own influence and wealth by compromising with the unbelievers. They were seeking to stop the work of God through discouraging the other workers.
Nehemiah’s specific answers to the people’s complaints and discouragement are found in the next point. But first he needed to lead the people to make a stronger commitment to the Lord. Despite the hardship, they needed to work harder, enduring the long hours and backbreaking work.
Let’s breakdown this verse a bit:
Then Judah said: Judah was supposed to be the strongest, bravest tribe. It was the tribe of great kings and ultimately, the Messiah Himself. It was a special challenge and a discouragement to have this word from the tribe of Judah.
Nehemiah and the Jew rebuilding Jerusalem have been standing strong in the face of attack; but now the rebuilding work is at the 1/2 way point, and now special challenges arise.
The strength of the laborers is failing: The 1/2 way point is really a dangerous place. Much remains to be done, but fatigue sets in because much has already been done.
It is not good enough to begin well. Many teams have a great first half—only to lose in the final minutes. The rebuilding work has gone very well and many obstacles have already been overcome—but the job isn’t done…the game isn’t over, there is still time to lose.
There is so much rubbish: The work of rebuilding the walls was not only construction, but cleaning and hauling away the rubbish. The ruins of the wall, lying in waste for 100 years had to be moved.
This wasn’t an option—this had to be done. The destroyed parts of the wall and all the unusable material had to be cleared away. so that the walls could be rebuilt upon that foundation. If they didn’t, the walls would be unstable and wouldn’t stand.
In our Christian lives, nothing much can be built for God’s glory unless the garbage is dealt with. And let me tell you that taking out the garbage of our lives can be discouraging work—but it must be done!
We are not able to build the wall: Som the excavation work had to start. Before they would build the walls up, they had to tear down and clear away the rubbish. they had to go down before they could go up.
If we are honest, the work of building is a lot easier—or more fun—then taking out the trash.
It was difficult because as the mound of rubbish was torn down, the city was even more vulnerable than before. We can see some thinking, “If you tear down and remove it our enemies might have clear path for them to enter the city. We would be helpless.”
It was difficult because there have alway been those who will defend the trash, no matter how useless it is. “Well, my grandfather had that pile of trash, and if it was good enough for him, it is good enough for us!”
This is bad thinking; we should clear way the old, so we can build on the true foundation.
16 Thus says the Lord:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
There has been a foundation built through the Word of God that cannot be compromised. The old path that has been laid that we should not stray from, to do so would lead to catastrophe. The standard that we are to hold to as believers is found in Matthew:
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
This is something that we cannot ever compromise on, handed down to us through the preservation of the Word of God. With that being said there are those things that we try and hold onto that will need to be, for a lack of a better phrase, thrown away. Jesus gives us this parable:
36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. 39 And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”
[[The old way is better mentality]]
10 Do not say,
“Why were the former days better than these?”
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
That last verse here in particular reveals man’s natural reluctance to abandon the old for the new. It is hard to let go of something that was established as was good for something new and seemingly untested.
Something that worked in 1920 won’t likely work for us in 2023. I want to be perfectly clear, we never compromise on the foundation//that holy standard given to us by God. Our methods though can and should change over time.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
The heart of the people in our passage of Nehemiah, must have been discouragement for Nehemiah; it is easy to lead when your followers are full of enthusiasm and have a heart to work. But what do you do when that begins to fade?
Application:
Don’t be that person. Don’t be going or abandoning the family of God when the going gets tough. We need to be in it together.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
The answer to discouragement is to draw on the LORD’s strength, Endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness in the task at hand come only through a strong commitment to the Lord and through His power. When discouragement strikes our hearts, we must press on, not giving in to feelings of despondency, depression, or disappointment.
Giving in to discouragement will lead to defeat, to an unfinished task, an incomplete project. Instead, we have to turn to the Lord more than ever and draw strength from Him, asking Him to sustain and deliver us from a spirit of darkness and despair.
Then we need to arise and get back to work. Seeing progress take place will always encourage our hearts. Being fruitful and productive always stirs us to do more. Hence, the basic answer to discouragement is to get back to the work at hand, working harder, and more diligently. God’s Word has a lot to say about endurance and being steadfast:
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
vv. 11-23) Strategy 4—Intimidation
vv. 11-23) Strategy 4—Intimidation
The fourth strategy that the enemy used against the Jews was to strike fear in their hearts by threatening and intimidating them. If successful they would have been overwhelmed and would be too troubled to continue their work in rebuilding the wall and city.
[11-12] The enemy’s alliance initiated a whispering campaign that threatened an impending attack against them. Rumors of the secret attack were planted within the villages and spread throughout the entire countryside.
Just as the enemy had anticipated, the report of an attack was repeated to Nehemiah and the Jews working on the wall. This was to strike a numbing fear in their hearts.
[13-23] When Nehemiah heard of this threat, he immediately prepared for combat. He took four steps to prepare the Jews for any secret attack that might be launched.
[13-14] First, Nehemiah armed the people and stationed them at the weak and exposed areas of the wall. He posted the people by families, knowing that they would more readily fight and defend their own children, wives, relatives, and property (v.14). He then made sure that every family was equipped for the fight with swords, spears, and bows.
After reviewing the situation, Nehemiah assembled all the people together and challenged them. Assuring them of the Lord’s presence and power, he challenged them to not to fear, but to remember the Lord who is great and awesome. Assuring them that the Lord would help and deliver them if they would just fight for their families and homes.
He would then lead the people back to work, which demonstrated both their trust in the Lord and their endurance. Soon thereafter the enemy heard about the indomitable spirit of the Jewish workers. They knew that their plots had been frustrated. It was the Lord Himself who had frustrated their plans and brought them to nothing:
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
[16-23] Knowing that the defense of the city was necessary while the workers continued the project, Nehemiah organized the people for both work and battle: these steps were detailed:
[16] The people were divided into two groups, one half standing guard while the other half worked.
[17] The officers themselves stood guard behind the workers where they could protect and warn them of any impending attack.
[18] All the people bore weapons while working on the wall. Those who carried materials also carried their weapons with them.
The warning of attack was to be sounded by a trumpeter who accompanied Nehemiah.
[19-20] The people were to rest assured that God would fight for them. Therefore, they were to immediately gather for battle at the sound of the trumpet.
[21] The people were assigned long hours, from first light to pitch dark. Half of the men were always on guard against an attack by the enemy.
[22] The workers who lived outside the city were instructed to encamp inside of Jerusalem where guards were posted all night long.
[23] The people also stood ready for battle every moment of every day and night. They never took off their clothes nor set their weapons aside. Even if they were going for water, the worker was to take their weapon with them.]
Application:
The way to overcome fear, threats, or intimidation is to do just what Nehemiah did: arm ourselves and trust God’s power to deliver us. As we walk throughout life, enemy after enemy will attack us.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to take a stand for Christ and His righteousness. We bear witness to His saving grace and proclaim to the world the way of righteousness, that men and women must obey the commandments of God.
As a result, many will oppose us. In some cases they will persecute us either through ridicule, scorn, plots and schemes.
Family we need to be armed with the same attitude as our spiritual forefathers… They needed to always be ready, always girded with their weapon. We need to always be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, always wearing the armor of God, always ready to go. Ready for attacks from the enemy or the trumpet blast that will gather us together with our Lord.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Not only are we to cloth ourselves we are to truly trust Jesus Christ… that He will get us through these perils. Listen to what God’s Word says about trusting the power of God for deliverance:
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Benediction
Benediction
23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: