Facing Ridicule

O. T. #1053  "Facing Ridicule"
Sept. 4, 2017
Nehemiah 4
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.  James 1:12 

LET IT GLOW

Through prayer and a planning, Nehemiah went to Jerusalem with a purpose of rebuilding the wall around the city in order to protect it from enemies outside. The Temple had been rebuilt, but through time the religious practices fell by the wayside. With everyone in their place of work, materials, and communication, progress continued. Sections of the wall and the ten gates were repaired and who worked on them were listed in the last chapter.

One might get the impression that once everyone was assigned a particular section of the wall in the repairing project, that everything progressed smoothly and without difficulty. But it was not so. Nehemiah and the Jews faced incredible opposition from their enemies the moment reconstruction began. Then it came again when the wall was only half the height it was intended to be.

In spite of the overwhelming responsibility, Nehemiah did it all in the strength of the Lord whose hand was on him (2:18).

Have we been challenged to better organize projects which God gives us to do?
Are we involving others as leaders of the workers?
Are we preserving the unity?
Are we encouragers of those who lead?

LET IT GROW

Chapter 4 fills in the gaps between the bricks of the wall as it was being built, so to speak. You recall the name of Sanballat and Tobiah, don't you? Sanballat served a governor of Samaria (to the north) and was probably a Moabite. Tobiah was magistrate to the east of the Jordan River. The Samaritans had intermarried with the Jews.

So when these guys heard what was going on, with the wall going up, Sanballat became very angry and mocked the Jews, making fun of them. He asked his army:

• What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they are doing?
• Do they think they can build the wall I a single day by just offering a few sacrifices?
• Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap, and charred ones at that?

Tobiah added, That strong wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it. (verse 3)


A fox is a light-footed animal. It can walk on a wall and not disturb a thing on it. Tobiah was saying that the feeble Jews were building a wall that even a light fox would knock down. After all, some of the builders were goldsmiths, druggists, and women. What did they know about construction?

Do you think the Jews had asked themselves the same questions? However, laughing at them did not stop the Jews from completing God's work. They set their minds and heart to complete the task. They did not loose faith nor give up, but persevered through the ridicule. Too many folks give up, back off, and get defeated when ridiculed, mocked, or scorned. Will our faith stand up to teasing, abuse, or
ill-treatment?


LET IT GO

Don't give up, back off, or become defeated; trust God to change hearts and give what is needed.
Endure those temptations to quit.
Let faith lead.