Nehemiah 4:15-23--The Work Resumes

Nehemiah 4:15-23
English Standard Version

The Work Resumes
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

​21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.

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Last time we talked about how there was in impending attack by Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs and their allies.  However, Nehemiah got word of it and stationed men with swords, spears, and bows ready to defend the city at all the places that were most vulnerable.  With the enemy plan frustrated by God, all the workers who were guarding the city went back to work, but from that day on, half the men worked while the other half stood guard and the leaders always stood behind the guards to make sure they were protected.  Even those who worked did so with their trowel in one hand, and a weapon in the other.  Every man was ready to defend the city should the trumpet blast be heard to signal that the army was needed in a certain area.

Everyone stayed in Jerusalem night and day so that there was always a shift of guards on watch duty.  They all slept in their clothes, and each kept their weapon on them at all times, even while they were sleeping, so that they would be ready to fight at a moment's notice.  Sure, this would slow the progress down a bit, but they showed everyone they will willing to do the work and fight if necessary.  The LORD was truly the one who would fight for and defend His people. Their faith spurred them into action and gave them hope and courage where those were in short supply in our passage from yesterday.