Building The Wall

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews. He said in the presence of his associates and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish it in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish – and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “That stone wall they are building – any fox going up on it would break it down!”

Nehemiah 4:1-3

But Judah said, “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, and there is too much rubbish so that we are unable to work on the wall.” And our enemies said, “They will not know or see anything before we come upon them and kill them and stop the work.” When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times, “From all the places where they live they will come up against us.” So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. After I looked these things over, I stood up and said to the nobles and the officials and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

When our enemies heard that their plot was known to us, and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and body-armor; and the leaders posted themselves behind the whole house of Judah, who were building the wall. The burden bearers carried their loads in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and with the other held a weapon. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Nehemiah 4:10-18

Walls divide. That is why they are built. The Great Wall of China was built to keep marauding tribes away. Centuries ago, the reconstruction of another wall brought people together. God had told Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. It was essential for protection but had been demolished during the Babylonian invasion. The enemies of the Jews opposed the project and looked for ways to sabotage their efforts. So, while half the men worked, the others stood guard duty. In addition to providing protection, the wall was a demonstration of unity and teamwork. All the team members brought their talents and skills, blending them together to accomplish far more than they could have achieved as individuals. It should be that way in our churches today. Our talents are gifts from God to be used for building His kingdom. We work better when we work together. Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

Our Daily Bread – February 4, 2007