June 13, 2023
Nehemiah 4:15-23 (HCSB)
Sword and Trowel
15 When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!” 21 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. 22 At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” 23 And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
Casey Morton
Here, Nehemiah changes strategy. He gets his people into groups; workers (some working with weapons in hand), watchmen to stand guard, and others stationed with trumpets, to sound them as an alarm at the first sign of trouble. It appears they worked and slept without even changing their clothes, so to remain diligent. I can only imagine how the work and constant “standing guard” must have taken a toll on them. When we face hardships and problems in doing good or doing the Lords work, it is easy to become discouraged (at least for me it is). Remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Sword and Trowel
15 When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!” 21 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. 22 At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” 23 And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
Casey Morton
Here, Nehemiah changes strategy. He gets his people into groups; workers (some working with weapons in hand), watchmen to stand guard, and others stationed with trumpets, to sound them as an alarm at the first sign of trouble. It appears they worked and slept without even changing their clothes, so to remain diligent. I can only imagine how the work and constant “standing guard” must have taken a toll on them. When we face hardships and problems in doing good or doing the Lords work, it is easy to become discouraged (at least for me it is). Remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Recent
Archive
2025
January
January 1, 2025A Note From Pastor HDJanuary 2, 2025January 3, 2025January 4, 2025Sunday Connect Lesson for January 5, 2025January 6, 2025January 7, 2025January 8, 2025January 9, 2025January 10, 2025Questions for the WeekJanuary 12, 2025January 13, 2025January 14, 2025January 15, 2025January 16, 2025January 17, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for January 19, 2025January 20, 2025January 21, 2025January 22, 2025January 23, 2025January 24, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for January 26January 27, 2025January 28, 2025January 29, 2025January 30, 2025January 31, 2025
February
Questions for the WeekConnect Lesson for Sunday, February 2February 3, 2025February 4, 2025February 5, 2025February 6, 2025February 7, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for February 9, 2025February 10, 2025February 11, 2025February 12, 2025February 13, 2025February 14, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for February 16, 2025February 17, 2025February 18, 2025February 19, 2025February 20, 2025February 21, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for February 23, 2025February 24, 2025February 25, 2025February 26, 2025February 27, 2025February 28, 2025
March
Questions for the WeekConnect Lesson for Sunday, March 2, 2025March 3, 2025A Note from Pastor HDMarch 4, 2025March 5, 2025March 6, 2025March 7, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 9, 2025March 10, 2025March 11, 2025March 12, 2025March 13, 2025March 14, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 16, 2025March 17, 2025March 18, 2025March 19, 2025March 20, 2025March 21, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 23, 2025March 24, 2025March 25, 2025March 26, 2025March 27, 2025March 28, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 30, 2025March 31, 2025
No Comments