A Mind To Work

Nehemiah 4:1-6

Nehemiah 4:1–6 NKJV

But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?” Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

We are going to face discouragement as a congregation of God's People. There will be times that try our friendships and relations, times that might even make us doubt our faith. In these times, it becomes important to remember that even when God's People face discouragement and persecution, we can rise to the challenge and excel in the work of the LORD. Like Nehemiah’s name means, we can be the one who says, “Yahweh Comforts”.

When The Israelites Returned to Judea...

We don’t need to be ignorant of this era in Bible history. Rom. 15:4

The period of the Return from Captivity is essential to understand the makeup of the 1st Century world.

Even more, understanding this period gives us comfort and hope. If God helped them then, surely He can help us now!

Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, so that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

God’s punishment had taken its toll and encouraged good things. Ezra 1:1-3,7,11; 6:15

Israel, consumed in idolatry, is eventually devastated by the Assyrians, who enslave them.

The Babylonians defeat the Assyrians, and become the dominating power.

Later, the southern kingdom, Judah, is enslaved by the Babylonians.

Ezra 1:1-3,7,11 - Cyrus, King of Persia, conquers Babylon, and in 538 B.C.allows some captive Jews under Zerubbabal to return to their homeland with permission to rebuild the temple.

Ezra 6:15 - Temple dedicated under the next king, Darius.

Though the 2nd Temple is built, the city is open to dangers.

Another group of Jews, under the leadership of Nehemiah, begins to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem during the reign of Artaxerxes.

Nehemiah's genuine CONCERN (Nehemiah 1:1-11).

This was a big concern – the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Lamentations 1:1-12 – Jeremiah shared this concern.

Walls were a big deal in the ancient world. They gave some measure of security against invaders.

Beyond that, the real concern of both of these authors is over the sinfulness of Israel and the terrible things that have happened.

Matt. 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

Christians mourn over sin!

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Nehemiah trusted in God’s grace.

1:11 “...grant him mercy...” - Nehemiah knew he couldn’t see or change the future, but he knew God could.

Nehemiah took a risk to help his people. Nehemiah 2:1-6

2:1- Nehemiah's position – cup bearer – an important one, meaning that he must be a trusted man!

2:2,3– Nehemiah can't keep the sorrow over the situation of God's People inside.

2:4– The king desires to help, and Nehemiah prays.

2:5-6– Nehemiah is given permission to go.

Concern is turned into ACTION.

Some excuses Nehemiah could have used:

“I don't want to be a bother to the king...”

“I'm not important enough to do this...”

“He wouldn't listen anyway...”

“It will be easier to just stay where I am...”

Nehemiah is greatly blessed by the King. Nehemiah 2:7-10

Authorizes the trip Nehemiah makes, as well as the supplies he needs.

This was all “according to the good hand of my God upon me” - credit where credit was due!

In the midst of this blessing, bad reactions are already at work.

Nehemiah UNITES the men under him (2:11-20).

Before talking to anyone, Nehemiah surveys the damage for himself.

Nehemiah does not need to immediately announce his intentions.

Neither does he begin ordering others around without considering what actually needs to be done.

Perhaps instead of just telling other people what to do, we should consider for ourselves what needs to be done first; in wisdom and prudence, plan our moves. Being PRO-active, not RE-active, is the best hope for success in the Kingdom.

There was plenty of work to be done!

2:14 – The damage was great, the amount to rebuild tremendous.

2:17 – Nehemiah communicates the need before them, and the importance of the work ahead.

2:18 – “They strengthened their hands for this good work.” - sometimes it takes some preparation!

For unity to be effective, determination must be evident.

Nehemiah focused on the mission, not negativity - Neh. 2:19-20

Nehemiah knew that God would prosper them (“force entry, cut through, cross, cause to succeed, cause to be victorious”)

Nehemiah needed absolutely no validation from these people. He did not need their support or their acceptance. Indeed, they had NO heritage, right, or memorial in Jerusalem.

No heritage - they had nothing to do with the people of God, and had no claim to the rewards thereof.

No right - they had no entitlement to be involved in their affairs at all.

No memorial - they had and would have no remembrance in this matter.

This gave God’s people an undeniable position of strength and dedication.

We need to remember that the world lays no claim to our worship of God. We do not conform to the world’s “rules”, but conform to our King’s commands.

Enemies seek to stifle the work.

Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem plot against the work:

Mock the Jews’ efforts 4:1-33

Conspire to attack 4:8-15

Seek to negotiate 6:1-4

Accuse the Jews of rebellion 6:5-9

Try to entrap Nehemiah 6:10-14

When congregations work to fulfill their mission, Satan will do everything possible to disrupt and hold back the work. 2 Tim. 2:16-18

Church at Corinth - multiple problems

2 Timothy 2:16-18 NKJV - But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

Even our own brethren can distract us from our mission (5:1-13) Ephesians 3:8-13

Note that Nehemiah rebukes those who are using their brethren for their own desires and aims.

Any time we take advantage of our brethren to have our own way, we are doing this same thing.

Maybe we are living in a sinful situation, yet we are continually relying on the “approval of the brethren” to rationalize it. Remember: Just because brethren say it’s okay doesn’t mean it’s okay!

The devil is good at bargaining. He will try to make us compromise the importance of our work.

We must remember that EVERY MOMENT of our work together means something.

This is not just a book club or a social club. This is the effective result of thousands of years of God’s plans coming to fruition!

Ephesians 3:8–13 NKJV

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

The Prayers of Nehemiah - “Remember”.

Remember the promise to His People (1:8).

Nehemiah 1:8 NKJV - "Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations;

Remember the enemies of this good work and repay them according to their works (6:14).

Nehemiah 6:14 NKJV - My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

Remember the good work Nehemiah had done for the people (5:19).

Nehemiah 5:19 NKJV - Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 29, 31 NKJV - Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services! ... And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy! ... Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. ... and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!

Why were the walls finished?

There was concern over sin.

Acts 9:11 NKJV - So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

Acts 10:2 NKJV - a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

Acts 12:12 NKJV - So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

God wants us to pray. Are we praying for our spiritual health and the health of this congregation as Nehemiah prayed for God’s people and their homeland?

God’s grace was trusted.

Again, Nehemiah knew he couldn’t change things unless God’s grace was active.

We have to put our trust in God, NOT in our own efforts or merit. This means doing things HIS WAY, working as hard as we can, and leaving the increase in HIS HANDS.

The concern was acted upon. 1 Cor. 5:1-5

Before positive change comes, we must concern ourselves with it.

Nehemiah did just that. It starts with the concern of ONE.

It means any possible excuses for inaction are swept aside.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 - Too many churches are “puffed up” when they should be ashamed.

The call was made for all to work (2:18)

Neh. 2:18 “And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.”

Many Christians want to be involved with the work, but because of poor leadership, zeal and effort is wasted, and these Christians grow weak and stray.

Good brethren WANT to work.

4:10-14 - The Jews were tempted to lose their nerve and quit. Nehemiah encouraged them to keep going.

6:15-16 - The wall was built in 52 days!

The difference between “good” work and “great” work - EVERYONE is involved!

The world was not heeded.

The world lays no claim to our worship of God. We do not conform to the world’s “rules”, but conform to our King’s commands.

Only God’s People can lay claim to “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3)

No one who is not in Christ has any heritage among the people of God. We need to stop trying to give what only God can give.

Only the Saints can have a part in the work of the church.

Those who are unfaithful to God (whether by living in sin or having no interest in working with the local congregation) have no entitlement to be involved in our affairs at all.

Only Christians are remembered before their Father’s throne.

Those who are unfaithful to God have no remembrance in His Kingdom, and like the foolish virgins (Matt. 25), will not have a place in heaven.

Their faith in God gave them a “mind to work”

They knew this work wasn't pointless.

4:3-5 - Healthy attitude against the persecutors - give the battle to God!

Nehemiah 4:6 NKJV - So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

They did NOT:

Expect the work to be done FOR them

Expect Nehemiah to be the only one working.

In remembering who gave us our work as the local church, the inherent value of that work will present itself.

They watched and prayed.

Despite distractions and even threats, we can serve God faithfully and persevere in His service.

Our work together will have ups and downs, challenges and successes, but we will grow if we don't become weary in heart!