Neh 4:4-5 | KingComments | STEP | In this chapter we see how Nehemiah responds to opposition and aggression: 1. he prays ( ), 2. continues his work ( ), 3. encourages his co-workers ( ), 4. takes precautions ( ). If we encounter resistance personally or as a community of faith – and that is what we get when we are in the Lord’s way! –, we have important clues here for our response to those attacks. Nehemiah does not go against them. He doesn’t revile in return. Nor does he suggest the enemy consult with each other to find a solution. He turns to God ( ; ). He approaches the power of the enemy with the much greater power of prayer. Nehemiah is a man of prayer. This is the basis of his work ( ). This forms his strength during his work. He takes refuge in God each time in between activities. It is good to retreat regularly during busy activities to seek God in prayer. The nature of our work does not matter. Whether we are engaged in spiritual work, work in the church, or our earthly activities, we need to involve God in everything. Especially when we are busy, it is particularly essential. All kinds of problems that occur at the most unforeseen moments can be seen as an invitation from God to come to him. Nehemiah points out to God the opposition, the scorn. God hears the scorn that is being poured out on His workers and sympathizes. Nehemiah also mentions what God should do with them. The words he uses show little mercy. From Jeremiah we hear the same kind of utterances ( ). In order to understand this, we need to remember the time in which Nehemiah lives and what he has in mind, the task he wants to fulfill. He lives in a time when it is normal for the Jews to destroy their enemies. This is even a commission from God, where God gives the example ( ; ). Because of their unfaithfulness, they are no longer in a position to do so themselves. That is why it is right that he asks God to do this. The reason he asks this is that the enemies are in reality opponents of God. He is doing a work for God. Whoever wants to prevent that, enters into battle with God. For us Christians, a prayer like Nehemiah prays here is not appropriate. We live in the time of grace. If enemies bother us, we will answer with the love of the Lord. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, as it was in the case of Israel. It is said to us that we should bless and pray for those who persecute us and do evil ( ; ; ).

‏ Nehemiah 4:4-5

Prayer of Nehemiah

In this chapter we see how Nehemiah responds to opposition and aggression:

1. he prays (Neh 4:4-5),

2. continues his work (Neh 4:6 ; 15),

3. encourages his co-workers (Neh 4:14),

4. takes precautions (Neh 4:13 ; 16-23).

If we encounter resistance personally or as a community of faith – and that is what we get when we are in the Lord’s way! –, we have important clues here for our response to those attacks.

Nehemiah does not go against them. He doesn’t revile in return. Nor does he suggest the enemy consult with each other to find a solution. He turns to God (Neh 4:4; Neh 4:9). He approaches the power of the enemy with the much greater power of prayer. Nehemiah is a man of prayer. This is the basis of his work (Neh 1:4 ; Neh 2:4). This forms his strength during his work. He takes refuge in God each time in between activities.

It is good to retreat regularly during busy activities to seek God in prayer. The nature of our work does not matter. Whether we are engaged in spiritual work, work in the church, or our earthly activities, we need to involve God in everything. Especially when we are busy, it is particularly essential. All kinds of problems that occur at the most unforeseen moments can be seen as an invitation from God to come to him.

Nehemiah points out to God the opposition, the scorn. God hears the scorn that is being poured out on His workers and sympathizes. Nehemiah also mentions what God should do with them. The words he uses show little mercy. From Jeremiah we hear the same kind of utterances (Jer 12:3 ; Jer 17:18 ; Jer 18:21-23).

In order to understand this, we need to remember the time in which Nehemiah lives and what he has in mind, the task he wants to fulfill. He lives in a time when it is normal for the Jews to destroy their enemies. This is even a commission from God, where God gives the example (Deu 9:3; Jos 8:1-2 ; Jos 10:5-10).

Because of their unfaithfulness, they are no longer in a position to do so themselves. That is why it is right that he asks God to do this. The reason he asks this is that the enemies are in reality opponents of God. He is doing a work for God. Whoever wants to prevent that, enters into battle with God.

For us Christians, a prayer like Nehemiah prays here is not appropriate. We live in the time of grace. If enemies bother us, we will answer with the love of the Lord. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, as it was in the case of Israel. It is said to us that we should bless and pray for those who persecute us and do evil (Acts 7:60; Rom 12:14; 1Cor 4:12-13).