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“search the scriptures” John 5:39
In this passage, a change of scene is introduced, with Nehemiah’s arrival at the site where the work of rebuilding the walls and gates of Jerusalem was to take place, v. 11. He had been released from his duty as cupbearer to the king and been granted access to the resources needed, but further preparations were required - this time of a practical nature. He had heard a report of the condition of the walls and gates but wanted to see these firsthand and survey the task ahead. Furthermore, since this was not a task to be undertaken alone, he needed to share his exercise with those he hoped would assist in the work, with some insight.
Tempting as it may be to get started immediately, practical preparation is prudent in certain aspects of our service for God. Our Lord indicated the importance of planning using two examples, Luke 14. 25-33. When building a tower, it makes sense to assess the material resources available, lest, having begun, the project be abandoned at foundation level, drawing ridicule. Before waging war, to consider how to best deploy human resources is necessary, lest the result be that of compromise with the opposing force. This He said to encourage a realistic view of following and serving the Lord, aware of the cost involved.
Travelling west, Nehemiah carried with him letters of authority for safe movement and to access the resources required to rebuild the walls and gates. It was a long and hazardous journey; one that Ezra had taken thirteen years earlier, acknowledging that God had ‘delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way’, resting for three days on their arrival, Ezra 8. 31, 32. Much work lay ahead of Nehemiah, but he and his companions had been travelling for four months; time was needed to rest and to assess the task in hand, v. 11.
When the twelve apostles returned to the Lord following the first part of the work for which He had commissioned them, His compassion toward their own needs was displayed. He called them apart to ‘rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat’, Mark 6. 31. When the multitudes again drew near, Jesus miraculously fed over 5, 000 people. The disciples carried food to the gathered company, returning to Him for fresh resources. When the crowd was satisfied, there was sufficient for their own needs too.
The Lord ‘knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust’, Ps. 103. 14. Aware of our practical and spiritual necessities, He is ready to minister ‘grace to help in time of need’, Heb. 4. 16. Let us remember that amidst our labour ‘one thing is needful’ - time at the feet of our Lord, that we might be refreshed by His presence.1 This will also help to equip us as we go forth in service.
Nehemiah was prepared to rise at unsocial hours. The darkness afforded him discretion until he was ready to share ‘what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem’, v. 12. It also offered a view of the city’s condition at a time when an enemy might seek access. Departing the city from the west, by the ‘gate of the valley’ (probably named after the valley of Hinnom to which it opened), he travelled east, compassing the south of the city. It was a true report that he had heard; ‘the walls … were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire’, v. 13. Thus far, Nehemiah had been mounted, but beyond the king’s pool, access was limited, v. 14.2 Before turning back, he proceeded a little further up the brook, likely on foot. This brought him into the Kidron Valley (‘ravine’, NASB), and, for the third time, ‘night’ is mentioned, v. 15. Having come to this low vantage point, he had some appreciation of the nature and size of the task ahead. Nevertheless, with the good hand of God upon him, Nehemiah could see the potential beyond the rubble.
Perhaps Nehemiah’s journey took him to where our Lord later crossed this same valley on the way to Gethsemane one dark night. Matthew chapter 26 verse 39 records that ‘he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt’. There, He had the measure of the tremendous task ahead of Him; that of bearing our sin. Yet, He was submissive to the Father’s will. He ‘for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame’, Heb. 12. 2.
Our Lord was clear with those He commissioned - His followers would bear reproach for His testimony, ‘If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you … all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me’, John 15. 20, 21. However, they were also assured that the Spirit of God would come to them, equip them, and indwell them, 16. 7-15.
Thus, as we seek to honour the name of our Lord, often in spiritually bleak conditions, we should be realistic, but not defeatist, since every believer enjoys the Spirit’s presence.3Furthermore, let us remember the words of our Lord, ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven’, Matt. 10. 32.
Whilst Nehemiah had surveyed the walls with a ‘few men’ - trusted companions on the journey - his exercise had been kept private from those in Jerusalem, vv. 12, 16. But, having viewed the wall personally, he was ready to share the proposition without being considered naive.
In a fine display of leadership, Nehemiah identified himself with those who had dwelt some time under these reproachful conditions, ‘Ye see the distress that we are in’, v. 17. This was no feigned speech, since, when he had first heard of the situation, he had shared their affliction; expressed in tears, mourning, fasting, and prayer, 1. 4. However, his positivity was affecting when he came alongside them with the call to ‘come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach’. Long as the walls had lain in ruins, they did not need to remain that way.
Coming to Thessalonica, Paul and his companions came among those to whom they brought the word of God, being examples to them, ‘ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction’, 1 Thess. 1. 5, 6. Likewise, overseers are exhorted to ‘feed the flock of God which is among you … neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock’, 1 Pet. 5. 2, 3.
Nehemiah added encouragement, v. 18. His words were not just those of an enthused man; God Himself had moved the king to grant the materials. Likewise, their words, ‘Let us rise up and build’, were accompanied by action. God’s hand encouraged them to strengthen theirs to engage in this ‘good work’.
Prior to our Lord’s ascension, He told His apostles, ‘I am with you alway, even unto the end of the [age]’, Matt. 28. 20. As they went forth preaching, ‘the Lord [was] working with them’, Mark 16. 20. Having in view ‘Jesus the author and finisher of our faith’, conscious of His present position at the right hand of God, believers today can take encouragement from the writer to the Hebrews, to ‘lift up the hands which hang down’, Heb. 12. 2, 12. The Lord’s servants have the privilege of being ‘labourers together with God’, 1 Cor. 3. 9.
When the rebuilding plan became known, and God’s people strengthened their hands for this good work, ‘Sanballat [meaning “strength”] the Horonite, and Tobiah [meaning “Jehovah is good”] the servant, the Ammonite’, v. 19, spoke out in mockery. These were of Moabite and Ammonite descent, and we met them earlier in the chapter, when ‘it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel’, v. 10. In verse 19, they were joined by Geshem (meaning ‘violent shower’), the Arabian, and together they sought to put a dampener on the plans to restore the city walls. However, they were ignorant of the king’s commission, saying, ‘What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?’ Without explaining the authority under which the work would be performed, Nehemiah simply stated his assurance of God’s enabling, whilst making plain that these three had no place amongst them, ‘The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem’, v. 20.
It is no surprise, when the people of God are united in a good work, that, betimes, the enemy joins forces against them. Some years earlier, following reforms made by Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, entered Judah, laying siege to their cities. He supposed that he could force them into submission and that Jerusalem would be given over to famine and thirst if they tried to resist his power. But Hezekiah had made preparation by diverting the water that had previously been springing up outside, to within the city. Sennacherib was unaware of the hidden water source supplied by the Gihon Spring that fed the pool of Siloam. Thus, Hezekiah encouraged the people of Judah, ‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah’, 2 Chr. 32. 7, 8.
Perhaps the meaning of the enemies’ names reminds us of those who have ‘a form of godliness, but … [deny] the power thereof’. But Paul assured Timothy, ‘they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men’, 2 Tim. 3. 5, 9.
Strong as the enemies of God’s people are, we too have with us a hidden resource - the unseen presence of the Spirit of God who brings forth the word of God. Having in mind the Spirit, the Apostle John offered the assurance, ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world’, 1 John 4. 4.
Thus, prepared personally and practically, we can have confidence in our Lord. Through Him we are able to overcome, and a work can be accomplished for His glory!
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