When Nehemiah heard of the trouble back in Jerusalem, he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed. He confessed the sins that the Israelites (including himself) committed against the Lord and asked for success and favor in the presence of King Artaxerxes. The king granted all that Nehemiah asked, and then some. “And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. …The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me” (2:8-9)

As Nehemiah sets off for Jerusalem, we are introduced to Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official. At the end of chapter 2 we begin to see the voices of opposition rise up. “…they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.” (2:10). This will not be the last we read of these troublemakers!

When Nehemiah came to the people of Jerusalem, he laid out the problem and a plan for restoration. “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (2:17)

The people of Jerusalem agreed with the following declaration: “Let us start rebuilding.” (2:18).

Scripture tells us that when Sanballat and Geshem heard about this, “they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’” (2:19)

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah gives a very detailed account by name of those who worked on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. One would think that only the most skilled masons and construction workers would be on task. Not so. God used perfume makers, priests, women, government officials and entire families to do the repair work on the wall. Each of these willing participants has the honor of their name in Scripture to this day.

“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria…” (4:1)

“Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side said, ‘What they are building – if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!’” (4:3)

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” (4:8)

The work of transformation is hard! Sometimes we just want to be done. In our zeal to get there, we can begin to do things in our own strength, which brings on exhaustion. Times like this can open the door to discouragement and fear. We see this happen to the Israelites.

In 4:6, the wall is halfway finished and scripture tells us that the people “worked with all their heart”. In verse 4:10 we see exhaustion “The strength of the laborers is giving out,” and discouragement, “and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall”

Knowing that exhaustion and discouragement can and probably will come, it’s wise to be on guard for it. In the case of the Israelites, we see that this exhaustion and discouragement gives way to fear:

“Also, our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work’ ” (4:11)

The fear spreads quickly and becomes exaggerated: “Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, ‘Wherever you turn, they will attack us’ “ (4:12)

Imagine what kind of road block this can be to the work transformation!

Scripture shows several different responses by Nehemiah and the Israelites to the trouble coming their way. In one instance, we see Nehemiah respond to the ridicule of Sanballat & Geshem with proclamation:

“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you will have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” (2:20)

In another case, we see an imprecatory prayer:

“Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.” (4:4-5)

We also see that in addition to prayer, it’s wise to have practical solutions in place:

“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (4:9)

”Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.” (4:13)

Most importantly, do not lose sight of God…remember where your refuge, strength and ever present help comes from! Nehemiah did, and he encouraged the people with the reminder:

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…” (4:14)