BUILDERS and WARRIORS

 

Nehemiah 4:13

King James Version

13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, 

and on the higher places, I even set the people 

after their families with their swords, 

their spears, and their bows.

From the previous post, we saw how the Jews faced setbacks.

Jealous enemies threatened their rebuilding Jerusalem.

This, as they were rebuilding the walls, and gates, intent on finishing the task.

But Jews are survivors, perpetually facing threat all around them.

How did they approach this problem?

Nehemiah spoke to them:

Nehemiah 4:14

King James Version

14 And I looked, and rose up, 

and said unto the nobles, 

and to the rulers, 

and to the rest of the people, 

Be not ye afraid of them: 

remember the Lord, 

which is great and terrible, 

and fight for your brethren, 

your sons, and your daughters, 

your wives, and your houses.

Finding their confidence in GOD, the Jews went back to their work.

Nehemiah 4:15

King James Version

15 And it came to pass, 

when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, 

and God had brought their counsel to nought, 

that we returned all of us to the wall, 

every one unto his work.

Preparing for any eventuality, just in case.

Nehemiah 4:16-18

King James Version

16 And it came to pass from that time forth, 

that the half of my servants wrought in the work, 

and the other half of them held both the spears, 

the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; 

and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.

17 They which builded on the wall, 

and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, 

every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, 

and with the other hand held a weapon.

18 For the builders, every one had his sword 

girded by his side, and so builded. 

And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

Nehemiah set additional precautions:

Nehemiah 4:19-20

King James Version

19 And I said unto the nobles,

 and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, 

The work is great and large, 

and we are separated upon the wall, 

one far from another.

20 In what place therefore ye hear 

the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: 

our God shall fight for us.

Nehemiah 4:21

King James Version

21 So we laboured in the work: 

and half of them held the spears 

from the rising of the morning 

till the stars appeared.

He kept everyone close, just to be sure.

Nehemiah 4:22-23

King James Version

22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, 

Let every one with his servant 

lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night 

they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.

23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, 

nor the men of the guard which followed me, 

none of us put off our clothes, 

saving that every one put them off for washing.

That got the work done.

What an amazing people!

No one messes around with the hardy Jews.

Especially they enjoy GOD's protection.

Finally, the walls get done.

In record time.

Click here for the story.

Image: Clipart Library