The Wall Was Completed!

Nehemiah 6.1 and 6.15.

In between these verses (1 and 15) we learn that Nehemiah’s enemies had one last determined effort to upset Nehemiah. Their strategy was to get him away from Jerusalem to some place out in the open (the plain of Ono). But Nehemiah thought O NO! He realised that this was an attempt to get him isolated from his people. They said they wanted to have a discussion with him.

Nehemiah’s reply was: Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you? Notice this attack. Because you will also have such desperate attempts to stop you in pursuing your Christian calling vigorously. Family, employers, friends, business and legal matters will press in on your life to get you to engage with them and get bogged down in their business. You will be tempted to turn away from a whole-hearted focus on Christ’s business. You will need to be firm like Nehemiah.

And then, Nehemiah was tempted by religious persons. They claimed to have a message from God – a prophesy – that he was in danger and should rush to the Temple building and lock himself in. Nehemiah knew this was wrong on two counts:

1. All of the people were in danger from their enemies and he must give a strong example of faith in God.
2. Taking over the Temple as a fort, would have sent the message that God’s work was on the defensive. That they were battening down the hatches to try and protect a little space for themselves.

This contradicts what Jesus said: I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not be able to withstand it.

God’s work is an offensive work (not designed to offend! But designed to demolish the lies that hold people captive to unbelief).

So Nehemiah stood firm and the walls were completed.

You must stand firm too.

Others are looking to you.

We all need each other in this mission to build the Church.

Here is encouragement:

6.15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Nehemiah invites us. Jesus Christ calls us. To build up our lives together. To build the church through thick and thin. This is how we lift high the name and worth of Jesus Christ. This is how we bring our family and friends (and enemies) into God’s Kingdom so that they can live forever. There is much at stake. It cost Christ suffering, shame and death. Hebrews 12.2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

With Jesus in charge we cannot (and dare not) fail in our life's mission.