Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God ,.... Spread their case before him in prayer, entreating direction and help from him: and set a watch against them day and night, because of them ; to give notice of their approach, that they might prepare to defend themselves; though they prayed to God, and trusted in him for deliverance, they did not neglect the use of means. read more
We made our prayer unto our God , and set a watch - The strongest confidence in the protection and favor of God does not preclude the use of all or any of the means of self-preservation and defense which his providence has put in our power. While God works in us to will and to do, we should proceed to willing, through the power he has given us to will; and we should proceed to action, through the power he has given us to act. We cannot will, but through God's power; we... read more
The work and warfare of the Church. I. The weak of the Church. 1. Derided. "And mocked the Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:1 ). 2. Under-estimated. "These feeble Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:2 ). 3. Misrepresented. "If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" ( Nehemiah 4:3 ). 4. Prayerful. "Hear, O our God" ( Nehemiah 4:4 ). 5. Hearty. "For the people had a mind to work" ( Nehemiah 4:6 ). 6. Advancing. "Heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that... read more
This description of the building of the wall of Jerusalem may be taken as representing the life of the Church militant. The chief points are these:— I. THE SPIRIT which pervades and actuates it. "The people had a mind to work." Activity, self-denial, fellowship, and fortitude. II. THE METHOD . Division and distribution of the work. Builders, fighters, burden-bearers. Some in command, others waiting upon their word. A place for every one in which to work, and every one keeping... read more
Armed opposition. Ridicule failing and the work progressing, the enemies of the Jews, more angry than ever, conspire to stop it by force of arms. We have here— I. ENEMIES WITHOUT . 1. Various ( Nehemiah 4:7 ). 2. Combined ( Nehemiah 4:8 ). 3. Angry ( Nehemiah 4:7 ). 4. Wily ( Nehemiah 4:11 ). 5. Ruthless ( ibid. ) . 6. Determined to stop the work. II. DIFFICULTIES WITHIN . 1. The weariness and discouragement of the labourers ( ... read more
The wisdom of the Christian workman in the hour of peril. We are reminded here of— I. THE PROGRESS OF SIN IN ITS COURSE ( Nehemiah 4:8 ). From sneers the enemies of Israel passed on to plots; from taunts to a mischievous conspiracy. They "conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it." This advance of theirs was brought about by their hearing that the walls of Jerusalem were "made up." The steadfast labour of the good led, incidentally, to the... read more
We … set a watch against them day and night, because of them . Rather, "over against, them,". "opposite to them"—opposite, that m, to the point from which they were expected to make their attack. read more
Prayer and watchfulness. "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto God, and set a watch," etc. I. The Christian's PERILS . His enemies are— 1. Numerous. Satan and his angels, his own corruptions, the world. 2. Diverse. Different in nature, and mode of attack; assuming different forms; appealing in turn to every passion and principle of our nature. 3. Insidious. "The wiles of the devil." He can take the form of "an angel of light." Evil often appears as good. Danger lurks... read more
Because of them - Or, “over against them,” i. e. opposite to the place where they were encamped, probably on the north side of the city. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:7-15
We have here, I. The conspiracy which the Jews? enemies formed against them, to stay the building by slaying the builders. The conspirators were not only Sanballat and Tobiah, but other neighbouring people whom they had drawn into the plot. They flattered themselves with a fancy that the work would soon stand still of itself; but, when they heard that it went on a prospered, they were angry at the Jews for being so hasty to push the work forward and angry at themselves for being so slow in... read more