When Sanballat sees the ever-shrinking gaps in the wall, he and his companions became very angry (Neh. 4:7). The enemy does not give up easily. Satan does not like to see a distinction between the people of God and the world. Sanballat’s confederacy grows — Arabians, Ammonites and Ashdodites are now numbered with them. These conspire to see how they can fight against Jerusalem and hinder the work. Again, Nehemiah responds, “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them” (Neh. 4:9).
The obstacles to the work, however, were not all external, some were internal. Four difficulties confronted the builders:
“The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed” (Neh. 4:10).
“There is much rubbish” (Neh. 4:10).
“Our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them” (Neh. 4:11).
“The Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you” (Neh. 4:12).
In the first instance, their initial strength had failed and weakness had come in. This is not uncommon in any work; the Ephesians are reproved for having left their first love (Rev. 3:4). Trials often reveal the reality of the heart. Endurance is much spoken of in Scripture — the word translated “patience,” is often better rendered “endurance.” “Tribulation works endurance” (Rom. 5:3 JND).
In the next instance, the accumulation of rubbish proved to be a discouragement. It is no different today; how often we hear that it’s not possible to hold back the rising tide — and that may indeed be true. However, we don’t need to be caught in it. We can go on in the simplicity of Scripture without the encumbrances of centuries of rubbish.
In Jude’s epistle we read, “Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares” (Jude 3-4). If the enemy cannot succeed with external attacks, then he will seek to infiltrate, undermine, and corrupt. There are countless numbers in Christendom today who deny the only Lord God. With the internet, radio, and TV, many voices can be brought into the homes of the saints; we need to be on guard against what we allow into the very midst of our families. What comes into the family will ultimately find its way into the assembly. “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14).
The final conflict was perhaps the hardest to bear. There were Jews who dwelt nearby, who were not involved in the work, which came ten times and verified the veracity of the enemies’ words. It is difficult when other Christians wear the saints down with their negativity — it’s not worth it; we’re so small, what difference does it make; the church is so divided, it doesn’t matter what we do; and so it goes on.