Nehemiah 4:1–14

Recurrent Thought

When your Vision Faces Opposition, take it to the Lord who originally gave you. He will inform you of ways to navigate the situation

Every vision sooner or later faces resistance. Opposition against vision, is inevitable. Vision attracts opposition because it challenges the comfortability of those with contrary minds. Kingdom Visions, which are essentially the expressions of light and goodness exposes spiritual darkness. It is darkness that unleashes Chapter on is reveals that the work that started with excitement faced confrontation (Neh. 4:1–14).  Opposition, staged by Sanballat, Tobia and Gershom is seen in three major texts: 2:18-20; 4:1-14; 6:1-19. The reason for resistance in Ch, 4 is to stop the rebuilding of the Wall, while Ch. 6 opposition aims to discredit Nehemiah. Scriptures teaches that opposition is not accidental. It should be expected. More importantly, it teaches us how God’s people must respond when vision is under attack. Although not all opposition is inherently evil, but the type that is shown in Nehemiah, is counter effort to progress or success.

The Jews were progressing in building the City Walls, when opposition intensified. Physically the wall kept the Israelites safe from enemy attack. It also protected the Temple where God’s presence dwells, so the wall is also protecting the Israelite’s relationship with the Lord. Their eternal future hinged on it.

Four thoughts

1. Vision Usually Attracts Ridicule (4:1-3)

• Almost unavoidably, the first form of opposition unleashed by your competitor or enemy is ridicule and mockery. God-given vision often faces mockery before it faces warfare, because ridicule is the enemy’s first attempt to stop the work. Remember how Goliath taunted the armies of Israel.
• Ridicule is to make fun of someone or something in a scornful, contemptuous way, making them seem foolish or ridiculous
• The purpose of ridicule is to cast doubt on the Credibility of your Vision
• Sanballat attacks the people, their ability, and their faith. He questions whether the work is possible or meaningful. Mockery aims to make God’s vision look foolish.  Matthew 27:41–43 shows how Jesus was mocked on the cross.
• Ridicule and Mockery draws your attention to your flaws.

             It is a form of opposition that can cause us to lose heart, and the Israelites are particularly vulnerable to discouragement because of their situation:  They were a generation of people raised in captivity;                  a weak community of freed slaves surrounded by enemies without much to defend themselves with except a God whose presence never filled the Temple when it was rebuilt and they were uncertain if God              really is for them.

• People ridicule someone to reduce them in the eyes of others and themselves.  Ridicule attempts to draw attention to someone’s flaws, thereby elevating the person doing the ridiculing in comparison. The motive is to put someone down to propel themselves up.
• Ridicule and Mockery Reveals the Enemy’s Anger
• Although mockery will be at the vision’s expense, don’t be still forget, it masks the anger of your enemy. The text says Sanballat “was angry.” Opposition often comes because vision disturbs comfortable enemies.

              In Acts 5:17  it say But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy.

              Apostles faced anger when God’s work advanced.

• No one mocks a dead project. Only living vision provokes reaction.
• As you pursue Vision. don’t abandoned it because of words.
• To Tobiah mocked the wall as weak, but their opinions did not determine outcomes. Never measure vision by the voices of critics. Do not quit what God told you to build just because others laugh at it.

           Believe what Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”

• Notice that Sanballat and his cohort decided to mount up a Physical assault (Ch. 4: 8)

2. Visions are Defended in Prayer

• Nehemiah brought the taunt and mockery to the Lord, Ch 4:4-5.
• Prayer Is the First Line of Defense for any challenged Vision
• Nehemiah takes the attack to God. His prayer is honest and revealing the level of brokenness

            Scripture in Psalm 127:1 states that unless the Lord builds the house they that labor, do it in vain

• Vision that is prayed over cannot be destroyed by man.
•  Notice also that Prayer Does Not Cancel Responsibility

            They prayed, but they also posted guards. Faith and action work together.

• Vision Requires Constant Alertness

           The watch was set “day and night.” The enemy looks for moments of carelessness.

• Vision is lost not in battles, but in unguarded moments.
• It is essential to Guard your calling, your family, and your ministry with both prayer and wisdom.
• When opposition moves from mockery to threats, vision must be protected by prayer joined with practical vigilance.
• Nehemiah has learned this crucial lesson in his journey with God. Pray first, then prepare. 

3. Visions are Continuously Challenged

• Know that opposition is not merely normal but it is continual
• Your visions will be attacked through various means: Verbal, physical etc
• After they attacked verbally, the enemies decided to come and attack them physically.
• All the enemies surrounded them: Sanballat, the Governor of Samaria, Gershom and his armies from the South (Arabs) Ashodites from the west, the Tobia leading the Ammonites on the East. All these groups hated each other but this time they united against the Jews. The enemy of my enemy is my friend
• When Jesus was being persecuted two rivals engaged with each other. Pilate the governor and Herod the King. They became friends (Luke 23), They wanted to get rid of Jesus
• Unfortunately, it is the Christians who fail to work together for we fight over small stuff

4.  Visions are sustained by Faith and Courage

• Sanballat escalated the threats. He decided to assault the Children of Israel physically
• Care of Implementers is essential for Vision Implementation
• In the text we notice some of the workers who become so tired and despaired. Nehemiah talked to them and encouraged them
• Then they heard of a possible physical attach whose information was deadly. Nehemiah encouraged the workers and insisted that they needed to have others carry weapons to defend themselves.
• Internal discouragement is more dangerous than external enemies.
• Similarly, to everyone of Fear inside the heart does more damage than enemies outside the wall.

           Proverbs 24:10 Don't give up and be helpless in times of trouble. 

• Know that the God-Given Vision is Worth fighting For
• Nehemiah (4 verse 13-14) organizes a defense by strategically stationing people and giving them weapons. He makes this fight intensely personal, positioning families at the places they live, defending the walls where their homes are located, to make sure they are invested.
• Then he tells them, “Fight for your families. Fight for your sons and daughters. Fight for your wives and your homes.” In other words, Nehemiah gives them something worth fighting for.
• Although opposition is normal and continual, know also that it is conquerable.
• We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us