Nehemiah 2-4
Having heard about Jerusalem's shameful state, Nehemiah requests that King Artaxerxes allow him to return to the city to rebuild. In addition, he secured letters to the governors for security purposes and a letter to Asaph in order to secure resources (timber). The King approved this project. Of course, there were others who were 'very much disturbed' by this renewal of interests regarding Israel, namely Sanballet, Tobiah & Geshem. These men are also mentioned in secular history as leaders in that region at that time.
So Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and began organizing to rebuild the walls of the city. (Chapter 3 gives a lengthy description of the various walls and gates around the city). It seems to me that the obstacles he faced our very similar to the obstacles we face in building the 'city of God' (the church).
1. External Opposition
2. Internal Flesh
3. Rubble
Nehemiah faced external opposition from the surrounding governmental leaders who had no interest in allowing Jerusalem to be re-established. They were disturbed by Nehemiah's initiative. They mocked and ridiculed the project. They sought to restrict the project politically. They became very angry when the wall-gaps were being filled. They plotted war. They tried to stir up trouble. As Christians, we face a striking parallel of opposition. Our external opposition are Satan & his children. But our weapons, instead of physical armor, are spiritual armor (Ephesians 6).
Nehemiah faced internal flesh among the ranks. In 4:10, the people of Judah complained that the strength of the laborers was giving out. The weakness of the flesh was battling against the purposes of the spirit. We struggle with this same issue. Our flesh desires one thing, but our spirit and the Holy Spirit desire a completely different thing. We must allow the Spirit to succeed.
Finally, Nehemiah faced the very practical problem of rubble. This wasn't a new construction, it was a re-construction. Nehemiah and his crew had to work around and through the work of their predecessors. As we all know, the church is not a new building either. It is an ancient project and each generation leaves its share of rubble (non-biblical traditions, sins, etc). We, as the contemporary church, must do our best to clear up or redeem the debree. Further, we must do our best to make as little mess as possible for the generation that follows.
So Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and began organizing to rebuild the walls of the city. (Chapter 3 gives a lengthy description of the various walls and gates around the city). It seems to me that the obstacles he faced our very similar to the obstacles we face in building the 'city of God' (the church).
1. External Opposition
2. Internal Flesh
3. Rubble
Nehemiah faced external opposition from the surrounding governmental leaders who had no interest in allowing Jerusalem to be re-established. They were disturbed by Nehemiah's initiative. They mocked and ridiculed the project. They sought to restrict the project politically. They became very angry when the wall-gaps were being filled. They plotted war. They tried to stir up trouble. As Christians, we face a striking parallel of opposition. Our external opposition are Satan & his children. But our weapons, instead of physical armor, are spiritual armor (Ephesians 6).
Nehemiah faced internal flesh among the ranks. In 4:10, the people of Judah complained that the strength of the laborers was giving out. The weakness of the flesh was battling against the purposes of the spirit. We struggle with this same issue. Our flesh desires one thing, but our spirit and the Holy Spirit desire a completely different thing. We must allow the Spirit to succeed.
Finally, Nehemiah faced the very practical problem of rubble. This wasn't a new construction, it was a re-construction. Nehemiah and his crew had to work around and through the work of their predecessors. As we all know, the church is not a new building either. It is an ancient project and each generation leaves its share of rubble (non-biblical traditions, sins, etc). We, as the contemporary church, must do our best to clear up or redeem the debree. Further, we must do our best to make as little mess as possible for the generation that follows.
posted by matthew at 11:44 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home