April 27 - Nehemiah 4-7
When the enemies of Israel saw that the wall had been completed to half its height, they began to make plans to oppose the work instead of just laughing at it. Satan and his forces of evil will always make sure there is opposition to the work of God, especially when there is unity and progress is being made. Their first plan was to attack the workers and cause confusion. To counter this plan Nehemiah told the workers to bring their weapons to work with them. Then, half of the people could work, and the other half could stand watch. At times they all worked with one hand and carried their weapons in the other hand. The principle is the same. God's people must always be ready for an attack while they continue to do God's work, but we must not allow the attacks of the enemy to stop the work of God.
In the middle of the work on the wall Nehemiah found that the work was also being hindered by the Israelites themselves. The poorer people were discouraged because they had been put in bondage to the richer people when they needed food to eat or other provisions. Instead of just helping their brothers, the more wealthy people saw a chance to make more money by charging interest on the hand-out. The effect of this interest was to make slaves of their brothers. Nehemiah had to put a stop to this and remind the Israelites of their need to help each other, not to enslave each other. Jesus said that when we give to a person in need, we should not expect anything in return. We should do it to help them, and because God leads us to help that person.
Then, the enemy tried to trick Nehemiah into meeting with them, so they could kill him, and they tried to get him to hide in the Temple, so they could point out his sin in using the sacred house of God as a refuge. Nehemiah did not fall for either of these tricks, because God gave him discernment. God will do that for all of us if we will walk close to Him and listen for His voice. In fact, there is no plan of Satan that can keep God's work from being done, as long as God's people listen to Him and trust Him. The wall of Jerusalem is a good example. It was completed in fifty two days, when many people thought it could not be done at all. This was the blessing of God upon a faithful people.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 8-10.
In the middle of the work on the wall Nehemiah found that the work was also being hindered by the Israelites themselves. The poorer people were discouraged because they had been put in bondage to the richer people when they needed food to eat or other provisions. Instead of just helping their brothers, the more wealthy people saw a chance to make more money by charging interest on the hand-out. The effect of this interest was to make slaves of their brothers. Nehemiah had to put a stop to this and remind the Israelites of their need to help each other, not to enslave each other. Jesus said that when we give to a person in need, we should not expect anything in return. We should do it to help them, and because God leads us to help that person.
Then, the enemy tried to trick Nehemiah into meeting with them, so they could kill him, and they tried to get him to hide in the Temple, so they could point out his sin in using the sacred house of God as a refuge. Nehemiah did not fall for either of these tricks, because God gave him discernment. God will do that for all of us if we will walk close to Him and listen for His voice. In fact, there is no plan of Satan that can keep God's work from being done, as long as God's people listen to Him and trust Him. The wall of Jerusalem is a good example. It was completed in fifty two days, when many people thought it could not be done at all. This was the blessing of God upon a faithful people.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 8-10.