But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands"

Nehemiah 6:1-19

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages[a] on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Why?

There was further opposition to the rebuilding wall. Nehemiah prayed to the Lord to give him strength and with wisdom did not trust in the word of their enemies. Even sent a lian through a false prophet who said Nehemiah tried to revolt and planned to kill Nehemiah when he entered the Temple.

Nehemiah encouraged the Jews in Jerusalem and with his faith in the Lord, the wall was rebuilt in 52 days. 

Trust in the Lord like Nehemiah, even the enemies attack us with insulation or in some way isolate us. Pray to the Lord, and keep the way of the truth with love.

Nehemiah gives a good sample to be a stronger servant of the Lord.

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4,5,6章一個個出來，內部問題往往比仇敵更可怕。這裏是祭司及被參巴拉、多比亞買通的一群間諜，想要害尼西米，1.謠傳私心，尼西米想要做王，百姓聽到多半不會去求證。仇敵邀請他去和談，同樣撒旦不可能與基督教講和 2.傳一封沒有密封的信，指出尼西米想要造反。人一定是害怕。所以尼西米禱告求神堅定他的手，當時他真的是軟弱了。求神讓他持續建造城牆！3.買通猶大貴冑示瑪雅引誘尼西米進入聖殿，打算抹黑尼西米，( 怎麼可以進入聖殿)。

城牆已經完成，門還沒有裝上，52天內完成建造，仇敵害怕。第三章合一的情形並沒有持續，後面幾章一一出現。內部特別很核心的祭司及貴冑早已被滲透了。

教會的合一，同樣可能是礙於情面的合一，可能是一時的感動。不能出於一時的熱心，出於血氣的感動很快就會消失！

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How?

Pray to the Lord "Now strengthen my hands"

Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them

Nehimiaj 5:1-19

Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”

When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.

Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!”

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.

Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. Each day one ox, six choice sheep, and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

Why?

From the whole bible, there is always reminding us to love our people, do not charge heavy burdens to our people. But there were many events in which the noble oppressed their people.

Nehemiah stayed in Jerusalem for about 12 years to build the wall and he involved himself in the mission of construction. He had solved many problems of Jews in Jerusalem, this is a real son of the Lord to lead his people for the work of the Lord.

How?

Not only the bravery but also the love and wisdom needed to serve the Lord and people.

Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon

Nehemiah 4:10-23

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”

Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”

Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.

Why?

This is a team work so everyone has to work together, not only work but also protect themselves. So half people are working and the other half of the people hold weapons to protect them, and with a trumpet to communicate among them. Nehemiah asked them to stay in Jerusalem at night so that they could work together and help each other.

Each of us needs to be aware that enemies are trying to find the gap to attack us, be aware to follow the Lord, and prevent sins from entering our hearts.

To be a leader not only do the right things but also be a good example to all followers.

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灰土尚多，扛擡的人力氣已經衰敗：沒有辦法完成，非常困難。做到一半往往是最累的時候，開始灰心。第二是被敵人嚇到！也許是自己想的謠言，自己嚇自己。尼西米面對這樣的狀況：開始組織軍隊，準備對抗，對猶大人做心理建設。為自己的家、財產而爭戰，不是拉高到為神為國家爭戰。敵人沒有來反而提高軍事預備，不要只顧工程，也要彼此支援。

尼西米在難處中看重神的力量！

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How?

Let my mind and my heart be aware of the enemies, and sins, and trust in the Lord in my life way.

But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat

Nehemiah 4:1-9

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

Why?

Ridiculed the Jews, this is bad behavior, and most of us can not stand in this situation. Don't ridicule others, but encourage others.

The prayer is not for revenge enemies but prayer for the justice of the Lord could be shown.

When we do the work of the Lord, there are some words that come to us, don't be disappointed but encouraged by the word of the Lord and pray to the Lord.

Prayer like Nehemiah is a good example to us.

How?

Doing the right things and praying to the Lord for the Lord is my strength.

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate

Nehemiah 3:1-32

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.

The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.

The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.

The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.

The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. They also repaired a thousand cubits[c] of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.

Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. Next to...

Why?

Everyone or a family in charge of part of the wall of Jerusalem, and they share part of the wall closer to their home. So almost the whole city people work together to rebuild the wall.

This is a successful progress in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, and Nehemiah put himself in charge of this mission.

The high priest involved in the work of rebuilding the wall means everyone is involved in this task, no matter what your job or title is.

Even in the church today there are some person do not attend the work of church service, they are nobles. But it could not affect the work of the Lord, and they could not share the glory of the Lord.

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王國歷史結束，尼西米記重要的是分別為聖。生活中須要每天分別為聖。重建城牆抵抗外敵，另外一個意義是城內與外界隔離開來，與外邦人分別出來。

v1-32 似乎只是建築的名單。羊門最靠近聖殿，所以由祭司來建造。建造城牆也是屬靈的事物。說到許多不同的祭司、商人，銀匠，官員，也有外邦人。官員也放下身段聽從尼西米吩咐。可以領導人也願意被人領導。同樣在教會中無論什麼身份，大家都一樣。建造中人多少還是有點私心，私心也可以成為有果效的原因。自己房屋前面的城牆當然要建的比較堅固一點，工地在家門口也節省時間，工作和服事從家門口開始，服事也不能放下家人不管。建造的位置不同難易度也不同，位置不同工作環境也不同，在大祭司門前祭司看得到，然而這些不重要，重要是神知道。

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How?

Everyone shares the word of the church, this is the responsibility of each Christian.

Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.

Nehemiah 2:1-20

so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Why?

Nehemiah did not fear and did not keep quiet, after the king asked him before he answered he prayed to the Lord. Nehemiah is a prayer man.

Nehemiah not only asked for the permission of the king but also gave him the timber and other supplies to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

The enemy came to disturb Nehemiah's plan, but he was not afraid of them. 

There is no record of how long Nehemiah went to Jerusalem. actually, Nehemiah went to Jerusalem 12 years.

Nehemiah shared his vision with all of the people in Jerusalem, for this work needed everyone to work together. 

How?

How job needs a good plan, so Nehemiah looked around the city at night for three days.

Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name; Nehemiah

 Nehemiah 1:1-11

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.  Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

Why?

Nehemiah is a servant under the king of Keilve in Susa.

Nehemiah heard the situation of Jerusalem now he fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, then he prayed before the Lord.

Nehemiah confessed the sins and transgressions before the Lord, for they have acted very wickedly toward the Lord.

Nehemiah prayed to the Lord that he may be granting favor in the presence of the king.

All of us to be Christians, not only do our best to be good followers of the Lord but also do more things in our jobs to honor the holy name of the Lord and grant the delight of the Lord.

How?

Don't be a none action Christian be do something for God is love, and our strength and grace are given from the Lord.