The first way in which Sanballat and Tobiah attempted to hinder the rebuilding of the wall, was to use ridicule and contemptuous laughter.

Nehemiah 4:2 "... What do these feeble Jews? ..."

Sanballat and Tobiah saw the Jews as feeble in numbers and resources; but they were mistaken, because they could not see that God was the Jews' helper and supplier.

Nehemiah 4:2 "... will they fortify themselves? ..."

How wrong again the enemy was. Ultimately God was their defence. Obedience in rebuilding the wall showed their trust was in Him.

Nehemiah 4:2 "... will they sacrifice? ..."

Sanballat and Tobiah claimed, that should the Jews inaugurate their work with the offering of sacrifices, that it would avail them nothing. They did not know that victory is through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11 ).

Nehemiah 4:2 "... will they make an end in a day?..."

They did not know that their zeal was according to Nehemiah's specific plan, not misguided enthusiasm.

Nehemiah 4:2 "... will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

This implied that they would have to make stones out of ashes, when in reality, sufficient stones remained amongst the rubbish, to complete the job.

Christ is building His church with living stones out of the rubbish heap of this world (1 Peter 2:4-5 )

Nehemiah 4:3 "Now Tobiah ... said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall."

The scorners were to discover that no labour is in vain. Nehemiah's answer to the ridicule, was prayer. To be treated with contempt can sometimes be harder to bear than other kinds of persecution. In this case, Nehemiah was incensed because he believed it was directed against God, and that the scorn was a direct challenge towards God.

Nehemiah asked God to hear what was being said (Nehemiah 4:4 ), and to let them be punished by their own reproach (Nehemiah 4:4-5 ). Total identification with God brings jealousy for His name. Notice that this prayer left the vengeance to God (Deuteronomy 32:35 ). Nehemiah did not take revenge into his own hands. The effect of the derision upon the builders, was that it speeded up their effort.

Nehemiah 4:6 "So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."

They expressed their determination. When the heart is in the work, success is sure.

Nehemiah 4:8 "and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion."

This conspiracy was led by Sanballat and Tobiah. Others who joined them were Arabs, possibly one of the desert tribes in the hopes of getting plunder, Ammonites and the Ashdodites (Nehemiah 4:7 ): enemies who did not want Jerusalem safe for the Jews. Ridicule had failed, so they conspired to stop further progress to the wall by force of arms. Nehemiah showed courage and ability in facing the conspiracy. His answer was twofold - prayer, and the setting of a vigil (Nehemiah 4:9 ).

Victory lies in the awesome God who answers prayer. To prayer must be added vigilance against the enemy's attacks. Prayer without watchfulness is the sin of self-confidence (Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 4:7 ).

The persistent rumour of imminent attack discouraged the workers. Judah, i.e. the Jews. Neighbouring Jews repeatedly urged those who were building, to leave the work and return home to protect their families (Nehemiah 4:10-12 ). Ryrie

When doing God's business, "many adversaries" can be encountered (1 Corinthians 16:9 ).

Nehemiah 4:13 "Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows."

Not only does this show how determined Nehemiah was, it also demonstrated his skill and wisdom in a threatening military situation. He posted armed men in conspicuous places as a deterrent to the enemy. He made up family groups that would insure loyalty and eagerness to defend one another. It is wonderful to see whole families unitedly involved in the Lord's work. He gave a rallying word to nobles, leaders and all the people (Nehemiah 4:14 NKJV). It may be summarised as: Be fearless - Be strengthened, "Remember the Lord, great and awesome" - Be valiant, "Fight" - Be selfless, "for your brethren, your sons". The more we think of the Lord, the more we will think of others.

Nehemiah 4:15 "... and God had brought their counsel to nought, ..."

The weapons formed against you shall not prosper. Nehemiah's strategy in Nehemiah 4:16-20 can be allied to work for the Lord today.

	Be diligent in business and ready for opposition (Nehemiah 4:16-17 ).
	Be united and carry out your assigned responsibilities.
	Be responsible in working with others.
	Be obedient to appointed leaders.
	Be dependable in work and defence (Nehemiah 4:18 ).
	Be responsive and alert to active commands, (Nehemiah 4:19-20 ) "the sound of the trumpet".
	Be believing that God will be for you, (Nehemiah 4:20 ) "God will fight for us".
	Be persistent in remaining at your work (Nehemiah 4:21-22 ).
	Be self-denying if necessary, to the point of self-neglect (Nehemiah 4:23 ).

Nehemiah's success came through his method of getting all working - always working - and working their all.

A determined leader gets determined followers.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What kind of ridicule have you had to endure from your Sanballat and Tobiah? (Nehemiah 4:1 ).
2. Do you answer ridicule by taking it to the Lord in prayer? (Nehemiah 4:4-5 ). Are you more jealous for God's name than concerned for your own hurts? (Nehemiah 4:5 ).
3. Do you find that what is intended by the enemy to slow down the work, becomes a means of speeding up the work? (Nehemiah 4:6 ). What attitude of mind did the ridicule produce in the people? (Nehemiah 4:6 ).
4. Do you find that when ridicule fails, those who oppose conspire to enforce their will? (Nehemiah 4:7-8 ).
5. Do you agree that prayer without watchfulness can be an evidence of the sin of self-confidence? (Nehemiah 4:9; Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 4:7 ).
6. What do you do in collaboration with God, to make sure that no weapon formed against you prevails? (Nehemiah 4:13; Isaiah 54:17 ).
7. In which way can the strategy and example of Nehemiah 4:16-23 be applied to your situation and work for God?