Tyndale Open Study NotesNehemiah 4

• The Persians placed Samarian army officers in Jerusalem to maintain peace.

• feeble Jews: Sanballat's mockery had some truth. The Jews were not wealthy, powerful, or numerous. However, Sanballat did not understand the strength of the God the Jews served.

• Can they restore...Will they offer sacrifices?: Sanballat might have mocked the sudden increase in sacrifices at the temple as the Israelites dedicated their work to the Lord.

• burnt stones...mounds of rubble: When fire destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, it heated the stones, causing some to crack and crumble. The people used these stones to rebuild the walls.

Nehemiah prayed intensely for God to stop those who opposed God's will. Nehemiah often called out to God when he needed help (Nehemiah 2:4; 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31).

Do not...let their sin be blotted out from Your sight: See also “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note.

half its height: The wall might be 3.0 to 3.7 meters (ten to 12 feet) tall. Some scholars think the original wall was six to 7.3 meters (20 to 24 feet) high.

Enemies of Israel from the north (Sanballat), south (Arabs), east (Ammonites), and west (Ashdodites) were angry about Jerusalem's fast and successful rebuilding. This progress threatened their political power in the area.

we prayed...and posted a guard: This wise approach to the threat involved both trusting in God and taking necessary actions.

The constant psychological attacks from Israel's enemies were lowering morale.

Wherever you turn, they will attack us: Jews from nearby areas might have urged the people working in Jerusalem to return to their villages to avoid being killed in an attack.

Nehemiah responded by placing armed guards at the weakest parts of the wall. He ensured that opponents outside could see the forces ready to defend the city.

The greatest reason for hope was Israel’s powerful and glorious God, who had saved them from strong nations before (compare 2 Chronicles 32:7–8; Exodus 14:13–14; Deuteronomy 8:1–3; 20:3; Joshua 10:25). Another reason was to protect their families and properties.

Nehemiah credited God (see also Nehemiah 2:20; 6:16). God had thwarted them through the people's prayers, the 24-hour patrol, the visible show of force, and confidence in God's protection.

Nehemiah used the trumpeter to sound the alarm and direct workers to any part of the wall under attack.

Our God will fight for us!: Nehemiah used Israel’s ancient holy war tradition (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; 20:4; Joshua 10:14; 23:10) to assure the people that they would win if they trusted in the Lord.

Nehemiah and the other leaders were not elitists who rested while others worked hard.