Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
NEHEMIAH
Chapter 4
Summary Commentary
vv. 1-3 - Anger, indignation, mockery, incredulity and ridicule came from the Jews' enemies when they found out what was happening. Nothing's changed! Anytime God's people get serious about doing God's work, God's enemies do whatever they can to try and hinder it.
vv. 4-5 - Some people might be intimidated when God's enemies show their colors. But not a godly leader, one whose heart and mind are stayed on God. Nehemiah's answer to the reaction of the Jews' enemies was prayer to God against them, that they reap what they had sown.
v. 6 - The work continued under the protective hand of God with the hearts of the people fully engaged in it. Heartfelt service is service which God will bless for His glory.
vv. 7-8 - Anger increases and results in plans for action. Anger unchecked always results in wrathful action.
v. 9 - Prayer is now joined with physical watchfulness. Prayer without watching is presumption. Watching without prayer is reckless. As the Lord Jesus said, “Watch and pray.”
v. 10 - Prayer and watchfulness takes care of the enemy. Hard work must be the means of getting the job done.
v. 11 - Satan's attacks more often than not are secretive and sudden rather than open and frontal. Temptation can overtake us in an instant unless we are prepared for it. Preparation includes being aware of the devil's devices and being clothed with the whole armor of God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, constantly, never putting ourselves in a place where we know temptation is apt to lurk.
v. 12 - These Jews were, perhaps, those who had not been exiled and had submitted themselves to live under the rule of Sanballat and his cohorts. Thus, they were not so happy about disturbing the status quo.”Ten times” = often, indicating a concerted attempt to discourage Nehemiah and the workers, and perhaps also to try to get some of the workers to leave the work.
vv. 13-14 - Watchfulness includes preparation for defending against attack, not just watching and waiting for it to happen. So we must: (1) be ready for the Lord's return by humbling and purifying ourselves in obedience to the Lord now; (2) be aware of our weaknesses and penchants toward temptation and avoid places and situations where we know temptation lurks; and, (3) give our heart and soul to the daily battle against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life to honor our Lord and His body.
v. 15 - Knowledge of the enemy's plans and devices, and preparation to meet them will discourage him from attacking us.
vv. 16-23 - Nehemiah, in addition to being a godly man, was an excellent administrator. Arming the people was good. But the armed must be organized to the last detail.
Details are the heart and soul of plans. Just one detail overlooked could bring defeat, even disaster. One unconfessed sin harbored in a believer's life is a recipe of itself for unreadiness and spiritual defeat. Not one piece of the armor of God can be omitted. The Sword of the Spirit must be used to win the battle. To use it effectively, it must be known through prayerful private and public study, and applied daily in every area of life.