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Our Doctrine

Kenneth H. Good Books

May 1st, 2005

Pastor George H. Heiland

God Frustrated Their Plan

15 And it happened when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 And it came about from that day on, that half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows, and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19 And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20 “At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

21 So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.” 23 So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.

 

A. Their Return to the Wall vs.  15

1. The Frustration of the Enemy vs.  15a

“And it happened when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, . . .”

Suddenly the tide is reversed.  The element of surprise is compromised and frustration sets in.  Was it an Accident? By no means was this happenstance.  Nehemiah assures us that this was of GOD!

Remember Joseph’s brothers who sold him into slavery and he became Pharaoh's right-hand man?  Years later they went to Egypt in desperation to buy grain and guess who was in charge?  Yes, Joseph was and here is what he said of their despicable act; “ . . . Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? ‘And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19b-21

Paul puts it like this; “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,”   Romans 8:28,29a   How “great and awesome” is our God!?

2. The Faith of the Builders vs.  15b

“ . . . then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.”               Once again we see that the people had a mind to work but this time things would be different and more difficult as they prepare for war.

 

B. Their Rearming for the Brawl vs. 16-18

1.  The Division of Labor vs.  16

And it came about from that day on, that half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows, and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah.

Nehemiah’s solution was to assign half of  people to work at building the walls and the other half to stand guard.

2.  The Demands of Logistics vs.  17, 18a

“Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, . . .”

The soldier of Jesus Christ is often called upon to wear several hats in service for God.  Here the work was divided between a quickly formed military force and the weapon-carrying builders.  They literally may have been called upon to fight in order to keep their jobs!  In Christian service it is a general rule that 20% of the  people do 80% of the work. In many cases that is unavoidable but in most instances it is simply lack of commitment. Paul’s comment to the Romans addresses the issue:

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your ^spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ” Romans 12:1,2

 

C.  Their Rally to the Call vs.  18b-23

1.  The Rallying Call vs.  18b-20

18b ‘ . . .  the trumpeter stood near me. 19 And I said to the nobles,

the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another.   20a “At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.”

How crucial is the call!  Paul argued for a clear sound in 1 Corinthians 14:8 when he said,  “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? ”  There are so many theological “uncertain sounds” out there today that most Christians have little comprehension what they believe or what to believe.  As such, Nehemiah’s rally in today’s doctrinally bankrupt “evangelical” culture would result in chaos with everyone doing “his own thing.”

2.  The Reliance upon God vs.  20b “. . .Our God will fight for us”

Nehemiah had seen the hand of God at work in the past and had no reason to doubt His protection and power on this occasion also.

See Nehemiah 2:18  “And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me”

3.  The Resilience of the People vs.  21-23

a. They Worked in Shifts vs.  21

“So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared.”

There was no let-up in the work.

b. They Slept on Site vs.  22

“At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.”

There was no leaving the site.

c. They Served with Vigilance vs.  23

“So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.”

There was no laying down of weaponry.

There are times in our Christian experience when we must be especially vigilant to fight the good fight without wavering. 

2nd Timothy 2:1-5; 1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

Have you enlisted in the cause of Christ.  Why not trust Him today?

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.”  Acts 16:31

 Thanks for reading this message.  DO YOU have need of salvation? God's Word tells us to repent of our sins and come to God accepting the fact that Christ died on the cross, rose from the dead and paid the full penalty for all that come to Him in faith.

Here are some points to consider:

Have you found a church home?  If you are in the area of Port St Lucie, why not visit us?

Have you found new life in Christ? Why not come to Him today? God will receive those who will come to Him.  He has provided the means for you to be saved, baptized and be a part of His New Testament Local Church ministry -- He gave His Son to intercede; all you need to do is cast yourself upon His mercy and grace.  

Jesus said in John 6:37-40

38 “For  I have come down from heaven,  not to do My own will, but  the will of Him who  sent Me. 39 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of  all that He has given Me I  lose nothing, but  raise it up on the last day. 40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who  beholds the Son and  believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will  raise him up on the last day.”

 It is important to note Luke's comment in Acts 4:12 

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

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