Building with One Hand, Fighting with the Other

Building with One Hand, Fighting with the Other

Nehemiah 4:15–23 (ESV)

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” 21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.

Introduction:

Today, we dive into Nehemiah 4:15-23, a powerful passage that shows us what it means to build and defend our faith, our families, and our community. Imagine trying to build a wall with one hand while holding a weapon in the other. It's a scene of intense determination and faith. Let's explore how Nehemiah and the Israelites balanced building and battling and what this means for us today.

Recognize the Enemy’s Plans (vv.15-18)

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Nehemiah 4:15 ESV

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.

Exposition:

In this passage, we see the people of Jerusalem faced with external threats. Their enemies plotted to stop the rebuilding of the wall, but God revealed these plans to Nehemiah and the people. Recognizing the enemy's plans is the first step in defending against them. The Israelites didn't ignore the threats; they acknowledged them and took action. They trusted God to thwart the enemy's plans, but they also remained vigilant and prepared.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Illustration: Like a coach who studies the opposing team's strategies, we must be aware of the enemy's plans to disrupt our spiritual progress. In a basketball game, knowing the opponent's plays can make all the difference in securing a victory.

Application: Be vigilant in prayer and aware of the spiritual battles around us. Identify areas in our lives where the enemy tries to bring discouragement or division. Recognize the signs of spiritual attack and be proactive in defending against them.

• Recognize the Enemy’s Schemes: Just as Nehemiah and the Israelites recognized the threats against them, we must be aware of the spiritual battles we face. Whether it’s personal struggles, societal pressures, or external opposition, awareness is the first step in addressing these challenges.

• Combine Faith with Action: Trusting God doesn’t mean being passive. It means being proactive in our faith. This involves prayer, study, community involvement, and readiness to defend our beliefs and values.

• Stay Vigilant and Prepared: Like the Israelites, we must be ready to build and defend. This could mean being prepared to share our faith, standing up for our values, and protecting our families from harmful influences.

Transition: Once we recognize the enemy's plans, our next step is to unite in our work and our defense, standing together as one body.

Unity in Work and Warfare (vv.19-20)

19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.

Exposition:

Nehemiah recognized the importance of unity. The work on the wall was extensive, and the workers were spread out. This separation could have made them vulnerable, but Nehemiah had a plan. He instructed the people to rally together at the sound of the trumpet. This rallying point symbolized their unity and their trust that God would fight for them. In our spiritual lives, unity is crucial. We are stronger together, and when we come together in times of need, we can support and defend each other more effectively.

Ephesians 4:3 ESV

3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Illustration: Think of a symphony where every instrument plays its part. The beauty comes from their unity. Each musician must listen to the others and follow the conductor's lead. Similarly, we must listen to one another and follow God's direction.

Application: Emphasize unity in our church and community. Encourage supporting one another in our spiritual and practical endeavors. Be ready to come together in times of need, just as the Israelites did at the sound of the trumpet.

• Rallying Points in Our Community: Identify key moments and places where the church can come together for prayer, support, and action. These rallying points can be regular prayer meetings, community service projects, or special worship services that strengthen our unity and resolve.

• Encouraging One Another: Make it a habit to encourage and support one another in our spiritual journeys. Small groups, Bible studies, and fellowship events provide opportunities to build strong, supportive relationships.

• Trusting God Together: In times of crisis or challenge, remind each other of God’s promises and faithfulness. Together, we can face any obstacle, knowing that God fights for us when we stand united in faith.

Transition: With unity established, we then learn how to balance our efforts between building and defending, just as the Israelites did.

Balance Between Building and Defending (vv.21-22)

21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.

Exposition:

Nehemiah's strategy involved both building and defending. Half of the men worked on the wall while the other half stood guard. This balance ensured that the work continued despite the threats. In our spiritual lives, we must also find a balance between building up our faith and defending against spiritual attacks. We need to be diligent in our spiritual growth while also being prepared to defend our beliefs and our community.

Matthew 26:41 ESV

41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Illustration: A family running a small business might have to work during the day and secure their shop at night, balancing building their business and protecting it. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we must be active in building our faith while also guarding against spiritual threats.

Application: In our lives, we must balance our efforts between building (spiritually, relationally, and professionally) and defending (through prayer, guarding our hearts, and supporting each other). Ensure that we are not neglecting one aspect for the other, but instead, maintaining a healthy balance.

• Balancing Spiritual Practices: Create a balanced spiritual routine that includes both growth and defense. Dedicate time to studying Scripture, prayer, and personal development, while also being mindful of the need to defend your faith and values in everyday life.

• Community Support: Engage in church activities that build up the community and provide mutual support. Just as Nehemiah’s men protected each other, we should be there for one another, offering support and encouragement in our spiritual journeys.

• Equipping Ourselves: Equip yourself with knowledge and understanding of your faith. Participate in Bible studies, attend sermons, and read theological works that strengthen your ability to articulate and defend your beliefs.

Personal Testimony: Balancing Roles

Share a personal anecdote about a time when you had to balance multiple roles, such as studying for your PhD while fulfilling pastoral duties. Highlight how reliance on God and community support was crucial. Emphasize how you managed to build your academic knowledge while defending your spiritual and pastoral responsibilities.

Engagement: Questions and Prompts

- "How can we better support one another in our spiritual journeys?"

- "What practical steps can we take to ensure we are both building and defending our faith and community?"

Conclusion:

As we look at Nehemiah and the Israelites, we see a people determined to build and protect what God had entrusted to them. They faced opposition, yet they stood firm. Church, we too are called to build and defend. Let us be vigilant, united, and balanced in our efforts. Remember, the sound of the trumpet reminds us that our God will fight for us. So, let's pick up our tools and our swords, building our future together with faith, commitment, and unity. And as we do, let’s always point to Jesus, the one who fought the ultimate battle for our salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Can I get an Amen? Let's go forth, ready to build and ready to defend, knowing that our God is with us every step of the way. Amen!