RTW 2024

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

Nehemiah 4:14

But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
Nehemiah 4:16-18

• The high priest was a part of the building process and set an example for the people. Even ancient Sumerian kings carried bricks in the building of a temple.
• The Sheep Gate was located near the Bethesda Pool in the northeastern corner of Jerusalem. 
• The limestone had been damaged by the fire and was cracked or crumbling.
• According to Josephus (Antiquities), Nehemiah “himself made the rounds of the city by night, never tiring either through work or lack of food and sleep, neither of which he took for pleasure but as a necessity.”
• They were enslaving their own people, exploiting the poor. According to Josephus (Antiquities), “Let it not be permitted to lend upon usury to any Hebrew either meat or drink; for it is not just to draw a revenue from the misfortunes of fellow countrymen. Rather, in consoling him in his distress, you should reckon as gain the gratitude of such persons and the recompense that God has in store for an act of generosity.” Archaeological Study Bible
• Nehemiah prayed for God’s help, and also utilized practical help: Workers keeping watch, keeping weapons while working.
• Sanballat and Tobiah and others tried to discourage, disrupt, and discredit Nehemiah and the work on the wall.
• The wall was built in 52 days.
• The wall was built despite all opposition.
• Nehemiah had opposition from outside, but some from among his people also caused challenges as well, from exploiting the poor to siding with Sanballat or Tobiah.

No matter the opposition, keep doing the work God has called you to do, as a humble servant, helping others.