Articles
Opposition to God's Work
Opposition to God's Work
God had 'put it into Nehemiah's heart to repair the wall and rebuilt the city' (Neh. 1:18) The people of the land were not happy that he was upsetting the status quo by doing this. They set out to stop this work from being accomplished.
- They were angry with God's people (4:1).
- They slandered and made fun of God's people and their work ("these feeble Jews"; "if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall" (4:2-3).
- They threatened and intimidated by war (4:8; 6:9)
- They enlisted the government against them (6:6-7)
- They tried to discourage the people (6:9).
One of the biggest problems however came from within God's own people. In chapter 5 we read that material greed caused some of them to begin make money by charging interest and enslaving the poor people (5:5, 10). With such internal strife and the pressure of just providing for their families daily needs, the work would come to a halt.
No matter how great the outward persecution and opposition may be, the lack of unity among God's people is a greater barrier to accomplishing God's work.
" I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Hugh DeLong
