Ezra 4
Nehemiah 4 focuses on the main theme of external opposition that arose during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and the response of the people of Judah to that opposition. This chapter can be divided into four main parts.
- Verses 1-3: The mockery and attempts to interfere by the enemies
- Verses 4-6: Nehemiah's prayer and the continued efforts of the people
- Verses 7-15: The enemies' plots and defensive plans
- Verses 16-23: Life with work and watchfulness carried out together
Overall, it shows how, even in adversity, people rely on God and work together as a community to get the job done,
1verseNow when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel,
2versethey came near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esar Haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”
3verseBut Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves together will build to the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
4verseThen the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.
5verseThey hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6verseIn the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7verseIn the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language.
8verseRehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
9verseThen Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
10verseand the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth, wrote.
11verseThis is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River.
12verseBe it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.
13verseBe it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
14verseNow because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king,
15versethat search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.
16verseWe inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River.
17verseThen the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace.
18verseThe letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.
19verseI decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.
20verseThere have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.
21verseMake a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.
22verseBe careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23verseThen when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms.
24verseThen work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Opposition from the Enemies and the Response of the People of Judah
In this chapter, leaders of surrounding peoples such as Sanballat and Tobiah grow jealous of the people of Judah rebuilding the wall, and they begin psychological warfare by mocking them directly(Verses 1-3). In response, Nehemiah does not put the enemies to the test in open conflict or argue with them; instead, he prays to God and entrusts the matter to Him(Verses 4-5). The people 'devote themselves to the work at heart,' building the wall higher and higher(Verse 6).
When the enemy force plans a violent attack, Nehemiah does not sit back in fear; he prepares defensive measures(Verses 13-14). He encourages the people not to be afraid and to remember God, and we see scenes in which they divide watch responsibilities in an organized way(Verses 16-23).
Unity in the Community and Careful Preparation
As the wall construction continued, the community maintained a balance between focus on the work and crisis management. Half worked on building the wall, and half were armed and stood watch on the walls. Practical wisdom is shown in how they used both shovels and weapons to protect themselves and their community(Verse 17). Under the leadership of Nehemiah the leader, a united effort stands out in which everyone carries out their respective roles at their own posts.
Meditation Points
- Pay attention to Nehemiah's attitude of responding with faith amid adversity or interference.
- You can also reflect on what it means for the people of Judah to cooperate and devote themselves faithfully to their tasks in the community, and for unity to emerge amid a crisis.
- Think carefully about how prayer and practical effort come into balance.
Try Applying It to Me
- When facing the problems or challenges I encounter, I look back to see whether I, like Nehemiah, first pray and act wisely.
- Check how I am carrying out the roles and responsibilities given to me within the community.
- When fear comes, I can apply this specifically to how I should remember God and act with courage.
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