March 02 2025 // Nehemiah 4:15-23
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to Nehemiah 4:15-23
Nehemiah 4:15-23
The Sword and the Trowel
Intro: The people continue the Kingdom work!
Charles Spurgeon – Spurgeon began a magazine in 1885 named the Sword and the Trowel – taken from
the section the scripture we are studying today. The purpose of the magazine, in short, was to fight the
decline of church doctrine/theology with the word of God (Sword) and to labor intensely for the cause
(trowel).
We have the same task today. To do so we ….
We must rely on Gods power. vs. 15
We must respond to the call. vs. 16-18
We must remember the purpose. vs. 19-20
We must remain ready. Vs. 21-23
Closing: Matthew 16:18
Life Application:
Work On Your Knees
Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Work as if it all depends on you; pray as if it all depends on God.” The life of faith is a cooperative effort, “for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).
With the taunts and threats of Sanballat and Tobiah ringing in his ears, Nehemiah prayed to God. He asked for divine retribution, for judgment upon those who dared insult God’s people and work. Then he and the people kept building. Later, when it became apparent that there were serious plans to mount an armed attack against Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the workers prayed once again to God “and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Neh. 4:9).
Persistently Nehemiah went to God in prayer. It was his habit because he fully trusted in God. But he didn’t sit around waiting for God to do everything. He released to God what only God could do, and then he fortified the city with armed soldiers. But at every point in which he implemented a defense measure, he depended on God as his true defense. He told the people, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome … and fight for your brothers” (Neh. 4:14); whenever “you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (Neh. 4:20).
In every situation Nehemiah began on his knees before God, and he ended with bold action. He clearly understood that God was the eternal judge, the universal sovereign, the Holy One. He also understood that God had bestowed upon man certain responsibilities. The proper relationship between God and his creation is a joint interaction, a united purpose in which the Creator and his people work together.
Many times we pray about someone in need and leave it there. We should also do something to help meet the need—perhaps visit or call, cook dinner, or even offer a financial gift. Prayer cannot be neglected in a frenzy of busyness, but the hard work of service cannot be ignored because we are praying.[1]
Digging Deeper:
Hardship
It is one of the clearest messages of the Bible, and it is demonstrated every day in our own time: pain and trouble are part of life, especially for those who follow God. And yet we are always asking, “Why?”
The simple answer is, Because we live in a fallen world. The fall of man reverberated throughout creation and sent shock waves into the future to disrupt continually God’s original intent. We do not live in a morally neutral universe but on a planet in upheaval, a place assaulted by sin and the powers of disobedience and rebellion. When we pretend that life should be uninterrupted happiness, we play into Satan’s strategy. We begin to think that God has not done a good job.
Rather than asking Why?, perhaps we would do better to prepare for when. Preparation comes by doing God’s will day after day.
We may never have full understanding about the “why” of certain events or circumstances. But we can grow more confident in God’s compassion and care as we loosen our grip on the things of this life and look with anticipation toward the life to come. As we live in the reality of God’s eternal promises, we will more readily agree with Paul: “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Questions to Consider:
Prayer Time:
[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 176–177.
[2] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 178.
Nehemiah 4:15-23
The Sword and the Trowel
Intro: The people continue the Kingdom work!
Charles Spurgeon – Spurgeon began a magazine in 1885 named the Sword and the Trowel – taken from
the section the scripture we are studying today. The purpose of the magazine, in short, was to fight the
decline of church doctrine/theology with the word of God (Sword) and to labor intensely for the cause
(trowel).
We have the same task today. To do so we ….
We must rely on Gods power. vs. 15
- God frustrated their plan
- How did he do that?
- Prayer – vs. 4 -Nehemiah prays; vs. 9 the people pray.
Prayer is not a preparation for work; it is the work. Prayer is not the preparation for the
battle; it is the battle. – Oswald Chambers
- By the actions of his people vs. 13-14
- By the frustrations/fears of the enemy (in their spirit)vs. 15
We must respond to the call. vs. 16-18
- Half worked/half stood guard
- Leaders gave support
- Some carried the work/weapons
- Some worked and kept weapon at their side
We must remember the purpose. vs. 19-20
- Build the wall
- Our God will fight for us!
We must remain ready. Vs. 21-23
- Day/night
- Working together
- Always ready
Closing: Matthew 16:18
Life Application:
Work On Your Knees
Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Work as if it all depends on you; pray as if it all depends on God.” The life of faith is a cooperative effort, “for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).
With the taunts and threats of Sanballat and Tobiah ringing in his ears, Nehemiah prayed to God. He asked for divine retribution, for judgment upon those who dared insult God’s people and work. Then he and the people kept building. Later, when it became apparent that there were serious plans to mount an armed attack against Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the workers prayed once again to God “and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Neh. 4:9).
Persistently Nehemiah went to God in prayer. It was his habit because he fully trusted in God. But he didn’t sit around waiting for God to do everything. He released to God what only God could do, and then he fortified the city with armed soldiers. But at every point in which he implemented a defense measure, he depended on God as his true defense. He told the people, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome … and fight for your brothers” (Neh. 4:14); whenever “you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (Neh. 4:20).
In every situation Nehemiah began on his knees before God, and he ended with bold action. He clearly understood that God was the eternal judge, the universal sovereign, the Holy One. He also understood that God had bestowed upon man certain responsibilities. The proper relationship between God and his creation is a joint interaction, a united purpose in which the Creator and his people work together.
Many times we pray about someone in need and leave it there. We should also do something to help meet the need—perhaps visit or call, cook dinner, or even offer a financial gift. Prayer cannot be neglected in a frenzy of busyness, but the hard work of service cannot be ignored because we are praying.[1]
Digging Deeper:
Hardship
It is one of the clearest messages of the Bible, and it is demonstrated every day in our own time: pain and trouble are part of life, especially for those who follow God. And yet we are always asking, “Why?”
The simple answer is, Because we live in a fallen world. The fall of man reverberated throughout creation and sent shock waves into the future to disrupt continually God’s original intent. We do not live in a morally neutral universe but on a planet in upheaval, a place assaulted by sin and the powers of disobedience and rebellion. When we pretend that life should be uninterrupted happiness, we play into Satan’s strategy. We begin to think that God has not done a good job.
Rather than asking Why?, perhaps we would do better to prepare for when. Preparation comes by doing God’s will day after day.
We may never have full understanding about the “why” of certain events or circumstances. But we can grow more confident in God’s compassion and care as we loosen our grip on the things of this life and look with anticipation toward the life to come. As we live in the reality of God’s eternal promises, we will more readily agree with Paul: “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Questions to Consider:
- Nehemiah faced multiple challenges as a leader. Discuss at least three qualities of successful leadership. How do these apply to your job, church, and family?
- Nehemiah and the Jews faced threats and insults from their enemies. How did Nehemiah respond? Does this agree with New Testament teachings? Why or why not?
- When the people were discouraged and threatened with violence, Nehemiah told them, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome” (Neh. 4:14). Share times from your own past when God has guided you. Does this change the way you view your future? Why?[2]
Prayer Time:
[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 176–177.
[2] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 178.