Build That Wall

Introduction

Everyone wants to do something for God. Serving him is our greatest happiness and honor. But how can we serve him best When we look at the story of Nehemiah we learn that Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to keep God’s people safe. He had just the right skills to do that. Even though he faced obstacles, God helped him to complete the wall. Let’s look at Nehemiah finishing the wall of Jerusalem to keep God’s people safe from all of the dangers outside the city in .

Facing Enemies

Nehemiah had a passion to help his friends by repairing the wall to protect the city of Jerusalem. The king allowed him to go back to Jerusalem and build the wall to keep his people safe. He stepped out of a place of safety to help his friends become safe.

The wall was broken for over 100 years but it would take him a short time to fix it. But some people didn’t want them to be safe. So they made it their personal mission to make sure the wall would not be repaired.

The wall was broken for over 100 years but it would take him a short time to fix it. But some people didn’t want them to be safe. So they made it their personal mission to make sure the wall would not be repaired.

Threats inside the city

Some people were spying for his enemies.

Some workers thought the job was too big and too hard.

Some of the rich people were taking advantage of the poor people.

Everyone was ready to build the wall in the beginning but now they were fighting each other.

Threats outside the city

Some workers looked at all the work they needed to do and thought it was too big to do. Maybe they didn’t realize the danger of not having the wall.

Nehemiah’s enemies used threats, lied about him, used spies, attacked and fought with the people and used tricks to try to keep him from the work.

They made up the story that he would become king of Jerusalem, making the other king angry.

The workers looked at all the work it would take to fix the wall and thought it was to big to do. Maybe they didn’t realize how dangerous it was to not have a wall to protect them.

Some of the rich people were taking advantage of the poor people. Everyone wanted to build the wall in the beginning but now they were fighting with each other.

No matter what Nehemiah faced, he put all his time into finishing the wall. He ignored his enemies and focused on God’s work. He never gave up no matter how hard it was.

Maybe they didn’t realize how dangerous it was to not have a wall to protect them.

Illustration: Five years ago I was serving God and pastoring a church. Then I became paralyzed and couldn’t move anymore. I wasn’t able to talk for a while but I learned how to talk again and now I get to preach and teach people about God again. Don’t let anyone stop you from working for Jesus!

Besides this, his enemies from the outside used threats, lied about him, had spies in the city that told them what was happening, attacked and fought with his people and used tricks to keep him from his work.

Besides this, some of the rich people in the city were taking advantage of the poor people. Everyone wanted to build the wall in the beginning but now they were fighting with each other. They were fighting amongst themselves.

Application: Satan wants to keep you from serving God. He will use anything to keep you from serving him. But you need to ignore everything he tries to do. Keep doing your work as best you can.

Besides this, his enemies from the outside used threats, lied about him, had spies in the city that told them what was happening, attacked and fought with his people and used tricks to keep him from his work.

His enemies made it personal and told everyone he wanted to become king of Jerusalem which would make the king angry. The king would probably come after him if he tried that.

No matter what Nehemiah’s enemies tried to do to him, he stayed to working the wall and getting it finished. He ignored his enemies and focused on what God wanted him to do. He never gave up no matter how bad things got.

Application: Distractions. Satan wants to distract you from doing what God wants you to do. He will use anything to keep you from doing what God wants you to do. You need to be like Nehemiah and ignore everything he tries to say about you and the ways he wants to distract you. Keep doing your task to the best of your ability.

His enemies even lied about him and made up stories to try to get the king to think that he was subverting his rule. He when people say things that are lies about you, let God defend you and do not entertain their lies.

Their enemies and allies within Jerusalem. They had insider information about Nehemiah’s movements and decisions, as well as his progress.

Distractions Are ways that people will try to stop the work God is called you to do.

Distractions Are ways that people will try to stop the work God is called you to do.

His enemies used threats and trickery, tried to distract him and slow down the work by continuing to try to get him to stop the work to talk to them.

His enemies even lied about him and made up stories to try to get the king to think that he was subverting his rule. He when people say things that are lies about you, let God defend you and do not entertain their lies.

Nehemiah 6:15 NIrV

So the city wall was completed on the 25th day of the month of Elul. It was finished in 52 days.

You Can Do It With God’s Help

Nehemiah was doing what God told him to do. Nobody else took the challenge to rebuild the walls. It was broken for over 100 years. Nobody else thought they could handle fixing the wall.

But Nehemiah knew they could do it. He stood up for what he believed in and nothing would stop him from building the wall. His mind was made up and he would put his heart into finishing it.

Nehemiah succeeded because he put God first and listened to him.

But Nehemiah knew that they could do it. He stood up for what he believed in. Nothing could stop him from doing what God called him to do. His mind was made up and he would put his heart and soul into doing it. He would make sure the wall was built and the people were safe. No matter what he faced he was committed to doing what God wanted him to do.

Nehemiah succeeded because he put God first and listened to him.

He started with praying so God would be pleased with his work.

He organized the workers so they could help one another. He gave them the tools to do the work and weapons to protect themselves.

He dealt with anything the people needed. He was a good leader.

Then he dealt with anything the people needed inside the city.

The wall was finished in record time: 52 days! How did they get it done?

God was their strength and help them build the wall. Even their enemies believe that God helped them.

The city was smaller than it is today. There was less wall to fix.

Most of the wall just needed patched and only the eastern wall needed rebuilt.

Jerusalem was smaller in Nehemiah’s time than it is today. There was less wall to fix.

Most of the wall just needed fixed and only the eastern side needed completely built.

Parts to fill in the holes were on the ground and didn’t need to be dug up.

Most of the wall just needed fixed and only the eastern side needed completely built.

The rocks and parts of the wall were right there from when they were ruined. All they had to do was put the rocks back in the wall and patch them.Most of the wall just needed fixed and only the eastern side needed completely built.

The rocks and parts of the wall were right there from when they were ruined. All they had to do was put the rocks back in the wall and patch them.

Nehemiah kept working and didn’t waste time on anything else. Other people may have thought Nehemiah was stubborn, didn’t work with others and didn’t listen to others. What other people say about you doesn’t matter. What matters is what God thinks about you.

Nehemiah kept his eyes on his work and did not waste time on things that did not move the project forward. He did not compromise. Other people may have thought Nehemiah was stubborn, uncooperative, intolerant of other people’s opinions and Inflexible. What people call you does not matter. What matters is what God thinks of you.

Nehemiah used all of his tools and everything he knew to finish the wall. Even when he didn’t have enough people to guard the wall he found ways to make it work.

Nehemiah was not frightened because God was with him. He kept working on the wall and did everything God told him to do.

Nehemiah used every tool in his toolkit to get the walls completed and to put up the gates. Even when he didn’t have enough people to guard the gates, he hired people who knew what they were doing.

Nehemiah was not frightened, did not start working on the wall and did not act irresponsibly.

Application: Always pray and ask God to help you. Ask him what he wants you to do and do it with all your heart. Look for people who want to help you and don’t listen to people who don’t care if you do well. Don’t let anyone slow you down. Don’t take shortcuts or give up.

Application: He focused on the ministry God gave him and in the word attempts to slow him down. He was a man of integrity who did not accept bribes or give up.

Application: Nehemiah was determined to get the wall built. Don’t listen to what other people have to say when they are not constructive in their criticism or are not willing to help you or do not change their opinion of what you are doing. Be faithful to do what God has called you to do. Look for people who will help you accomplish your mission and be loyal instead of trying to tear you down.

The wall may have been finished faster partially because it was not around the entire city of Jerusalem but the inner core.

Nehemiah was very wise.

Nehemiah was very wise.

Nehemiah 1. The Wall Is Completed in 52 Days (15–16)

Finally, there came a man who did more than wish Jerusalem had walls; he grieved, he ached, he prayed, he planned, he asked boldly, he went, he fought, he encouraged, he stood strong, he saw the job through to completion. But he also had people around him with the same kind of heart!

Nehemiah prayed and knew what God wanted.

e faithful to do what God has called you to do. Look for people who will help you accomplish your mission and be loyal instead of trying to tear you down.

Nehemiah organized workers and equipped them to rebuild the ball. He supplied weapons for their safety and organize them into groups that would be most efficient complete the work.

He focused on the ministry God gave him and in the word attempts to slow him down. He was a man of integrity who did not accept bribes or give up.

Nehemiah was determined to get the wall built. Don’t listen to what other people have to say when they are not constructive in their criticism or are not willing to help you or do not change their opinion of what you are doing.

Always pray and ask God to help you know who is willing to help you and who is standing in your way. Discernment and wisdom.

Be faithful to do what God has called you to do. Look for people who will help you accomplish your mission and be loyal instead of trying to tear you down.

Nehemiah used every tool in his toolkit to get the walls completed and to put up the gates. Even when he didn’t have enough people to guard the gates, he hired people who knew what they were doing.

Other people may have thought Nehemiah was stubborn, uncooperative, intolerant of other people’s opinions and Inflexible. What people call you does not matter. What matters is what God thinks of you.

Nehemiah used every tool in his toolkit to get the walls completed and to put up the gates. Even when he didn’t have enough people to guard the gates, he hired people who knew what they were doing.

Nehemiah hired the right people to take care the city and keep it safe.

Nehemiah was not frightened, did not start working on the wall and did not act irresponsibly.

The New Manners and Customs of the Bible 6:15 Elul

Elul corresponds to August–September. To finish repairing the wall in 52 days was a tremendous accomplishment, and one that even their enemies recognized was due to the power of God, as shown in verse 16: “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”

The History of Israel (Standard Reference Library Old Testament, Vol. 2) A. Finished Wall (v. 15)

First, the city of Jerusalem at this time was smaller than modern Jerusalem. Second, the Babylonians probably had not completely torn down the entire wall. Third, the people doing the task did not have to quarry the stones; they had to dig them out of the rubble. Fourth, the people were working under considerable pressure; and people will often work harder and faster under those conditions. Finally, and most important, the blessing of God on this effort should not be minimized in any way. The entire effort had been undergirded with prayer from the very start. Even Nehemiah’s enemies could not deny this, as the next verse states.

Most of the wall just needed fixed and only the eastern side needed completely built.

The rocks and parts of the wall were right there from when they were ruined. All they had to do was put the rocks back in the wall and patch them.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 11: Ezra / Nehemiah / Esther Completion of the Wall (6:15–16)

I wonder. Would those outside of the church say this about our activities? Are we attempting anything for God that requires a desperate dependence upon Him? Or do we always take the safe road, allowing our observers merely to say: “My, how well organized and hard working are the people in that church.”

Nehemiah 6:16 NIrV

All of our enemies heard about it. All of the nations that were around us became afraid. They weren’t sure of themselves anymore. They realized that our God had helped us finish the work.

Victory Over Enemies

After over 100 years of a broken down wall, and less than two months about the end of September, it was restored. Even with all the problems Nehemiah faced from enemies outside to spies inside, he was successful.

They worked on the wall through the hottest month of the year. They were attacked by their enemies. They lied about Nehemiah and spied on him. Despite all that, Nehemiah did what God said and made sure his friends would be safe.

His enemies used fear against him but now they were the ones who were afraid when the wall was completed. God reversed the fortunes of Nehemiah’s friends.

There are enemies tried so hard to stop them but they failed instead of the Israelites. God was really on their side.

Even though it was the hottest time of year, their enemies continued to attack them and try to get them to start building the wall, they still finished it! Nothing was going to stop them from doing what God told them to do. No matter how much they tried and whatever tactics they used, Nehemiah stood firm and won the battle.

Nehemiah’s enemies realized that God helped him complete the wall and keep his people safe. Even though the walls were finished, His enemies kept trying to get their own way.

Even though their enemies use fear and intimidation, outright lying, they were the ones who were afraid when the wall was completed. A reversal of fortunes.

Their enemies failed to stop them from completing the wall. The enemies tried to frighten them but when the wall was finished, their enemies were frightened of them.

Their enemies realized that God had help the people complete the wall. Everything we do is not only physical but also spiritual.

Application: Satan will not be happy even when you do what God wants. You must always keep your guard up and not let him get to you. Always be looking for godly people to give you advice. God will help you do what he wants. It won’t always be easy but stay strong and keep doing what he says. He will reward you in the end.

Their enemies realized that God had help the people complete the wall. Everything we do is not only physical but also spiritual.

Application:

Their enemies realized that God had help the people complete the wall. Everything we do is not only physical but also spiritual.

Application: Even after the wall was finished, Nehemiah’s enemies still tried to weaken his stance or discredit him. Do not be surprised if people continue to go against you even after you have done what God told you to do.

Even after the wall was finished, Nehemiah’s enemies still tried to weaken his stance or discredit him. Do not be surprised if people continue to go against you even after you have done what God told you to do.

Even after the wall was finished, Nehemiah’s enemies still tried to weaken his stance or discredit him. Do not be surprised if people continue to go against you even after you have done what God told you to do.

Application: Be wary of people who always have advice for you but don’t get anything done themselves and don’t support you.

Application: God will help you do what he wants you to do. Nothing that tries to make it harder will work against you. As long as you stay strong and keep working on it, he will help you to get it done. Nothing can hold you back if you don’t let it.

Even after the wall was finished, Nehemiah’s enemies still tried to weaken his stance or discredit him. Do not be surprised if people continue to go against you even after you have done what God told you to do.

Be wary of peopleWho always have advice for you but don’t get anything done themselves and don’t support you.

Conclusion

clusion

The most important thing we can bring to the table when we are doing things for God and serving him is the kind of person we are. We will have to deal with challenges as we work for God. We must never give up and know that he makes us who we are on purpose. We can use our talents and gifts for the Lord as we do great things for him.