Nehemiah 4:17
who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
who were rebuilding the wall
This phrase highlights the primary mission of Nehemiah and his fellow Israelites: the reconstruction of Jerusalem's wall. The Hebrew root for "rebuilding" is "בָּנָה" (banah), which means to build or construct. This task was not merely physical but deeply spiritual, symbolizing the restoration of the community and their covenant with God. Historically, the wall represented protection and identity for the Israelites, marking a boundary that separated them from surrounding nations and their influences. The act of rebuilding was an act of faith and obedience to God's call, reflecting a commitment to restore what had been lost due to disobedience and exile.

Those who carried materials
This phrase refers to the laborers who were essential to the construction process. The Hebrew word for "materials" is "סְבָל" (seval), which can also mean burdens or loads. These individuals were tasked with the heavy lifting, both literally and figuratively, as they bore the weight of the physical materials and the responsibility of contributing to the community's future. Their role underscores the importance of every member's contribution to the collective effort, a principle that resonates with the New Testament teaching on the body of Christ, where each part is vital to the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

did their work with one hand
This phrase illustrates the dual nature of the task at hand. The Hebrew word for "work" is "מְלָאכָה" (melakah), which implies labor, service, or craftsmanship. The image of working with one hand suggests diligence and focus, as the workers were committed to their task despite the challenges. It reflects the Christian call to work diligently as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), balancing earthly responsibilities with spiritual vigilance.

and held a weapon with the other
This phrase signifies the constant threat and opposition faced by the builders. The Hebrew word for "weapon" is "שֶׁלַח" (shelach), which can mean any instrument of war. The dual action of building and defending highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. Ephesians 6:10-18 speaks to this, urging believers to put on the full armor of God. The builders' readiness to defend their work serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to advance God's kingdom while standing firm against spiritual adversaries.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
The central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His leadership and faith were instrumental in overcoming opposition.

2. The Builders
These were the Jewish people who returned from exile and were actively involved in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls. They worked diligently despite facing threats from their enemies.

3. Jerusalem
The city of Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center for the Jewish people, was in ruins after the Babylonian conquest. Rebuilding its walls was essential for the security and identity of the Jewish community.

4. Enemies of Judah
Various groups, including the Samaritans, Ammonites, and Arabs, opposed the rebuilding efforts. They sought to intimidate and discourage the Jews from completing the wall.

5. The Wall
The wall of Jerusalem symbolized protection, strength, and the restoration of the Jewish community. Its reconstruction was a significant step in re-establishing Jerusalem as a fortified city.
Teaching Points
Dual Readiness
Just as the builders worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other, Christians are called to be prepared for both spiritual work and spiritual warfare. We must balance our efforts in building God's kingdom with vigilance against spiritual threats.

Perseverance in Adversity
The builders faced constant threats but continued their work. This teaches us the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of opposition and challenges.

Community and Cooperation
The success of the wall's reconstruction was due to the collective effort of the community. This highlights the importance of unity and cooperation within the body of Christ.

Faith and Action
The builders' actions demonstrate the principle of faith accompanied by works. They trusted God for protection but also took practical steps to ensure their safety.

Spiritual Discernment
The need to discern when to build and when to defend is crucial. Christians must seek God's wisdom to know when to focus on growth and when to stand firm against attacks.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Nehemiah 4:17 illustrate the balance between faith and action in our spiritual lives?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "building with one hand and holding a weapon with the other" in our daily walk with Christ?

3. How does the opposition faced by the builders in Nehemiah relate to the spiritual battles we encounter today?

4. What role does community play in overcoming challenges, as seen in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall?

5. How can we cultivate spiritual discernment to know when to focus on building and when to defend against spiritual threats?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 6:10-18
This passage discusses the armor of God, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness and defense against spiritual adversaries, similar to how the builders in Nehemiah 4:17 were prepared to defend themselves physically while working.

1 Peter 5:8-9
These verses warn believers to be vigilant against the devil, akin to the vigilance required by the builders who had to be on guard against their enemies.

Philippians 1:27-30
Paul encourages believers to stand firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith, much like the unity and determination shown by the builders in Nehemiah.
The Building of the Wall of JerusalemR.A. Redford Nehemiah 4:1-23
The Work and Warfare of the ChurchJ.S. Exell Nehemiah 4:1-23
A Bold and United Front to the EnemyJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 4:7-18
Foes of the FaithF. Hastings.Nehemiah 4:7-18
HinderersGeorge M. Boynton.Nehemiah 4:7-18
Rebuilding the WallD. J. Burrell, D. D.Nehemiah 4:7-18
The Builders InterruptedMonday Club SermonsNehemiah 4:7-18
The Soldier BuildersJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 4:7-18
The Wisdom of the Christian Workman in the Hour of PerilW. Clarkson Nehemiah 4:7-23
Construction and ContentionBp. Huntington.Nehemiah 4:17-18
The Sword and the TrowelC. Leach, D. D.Nehemiah 4:17-18
The Work and Warfare of LifeR. A. Hallam, D. D.Nehemiah 4:17-18
The Work of a ChristianJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 4:17-18
People
Ammonites, Arabians, Ashdodites, Sanballat, Tobiah, Tobijah
Places
Jerusalem, Samaria, Sheep Gate
Topics
Bare, Bearers, Bore, Builded, Builders, Building, Built, Burden, Burdens, Business, Carried, Hands, Held, Hold, Holding, Labored, Laded, Laden, Lading, Laying, Load, Loaded, Material, Materials, Missile, Moving, Rebuilding, Spear, Themselves, Wall, Weapon, Worked, Working, Wrought
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 4:17

     5156   hand

Nehemiah 4:13-18

     8225   devotion

Nehemiah 4:16-18

     5612   weapons
     8421   equipping, physical

Nehemiah 4:16-20

     5595   trumpet

Nehemiah 4:16-22

     7924   fellowship, in service

Library
Discouragements and Courage
'Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them."--Nehemiah 4:9. Nehemiah, and the Jews with him, were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Sanballat and others were angry with them, and tried to stop the work. They determined to pounce upon the people on a sudden, and slay them, and so to put an end to what they were doing. Our text tells us what Nehemiah and his companions did in this emergency: "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

Centenary Commemoration of the Consecration of Bishop Seabury. 1884.
THE RT. REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, D.D. WAS CONSECRATED FIRST BISHOP OF CONNECTICUT AT ABERDEEN, NOVEMBER 14, 1784. The Diocesan Convention of 1884 met on the tenth day of June in St. James's Church, New London. Morning Prayer was read at 9 o'clock by the Rev. William B. Buckingham, Rector of the Parish, the Rev. Samuel H. Giesy, D.D., Rector of Christ Church, Norwich, and the Rev. Storrs O. Seymour, Rector of Trinity Church, Hartford. At 10-1/2 o'clock, after the singing of the 138th Hymn, the service
Various—The Sermons And Addresses At The Seabury Centenary

Letter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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