“Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate . . . The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate . . . And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah . . . And next to them Meshullam the son of Berekiah . . . And next to them Zadok the son of Baana . . .” (3:1-4). And so the story continues, one section of the wall after another; everyone pitching in and playing a part.
When Sanballat heard how well the work was progressing, “he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews” (4:1). In response, Nehemiah encouraged the people just to keep on keeping on, and he prayed to God for his help. But Nehemiah also put into place practical measures to address the threat: half the people worked, while half the people held weapons, ready to repel any encroachment from their enemies.
Another problem: the mistreatment of the poor by their own people (ch. 5)! With a righteous anger, Nehemiah called a council and demanded fair and right treatment among the people. Nehemiah even gave up the food allowance given him by the governor of the province. If the people were suffering, it was only right that the leader commiserate with his people and forego the luxuries of his office.
So many challenges! Would the work ever be completed? I am reminded of Paul’s instruction: “My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). As Elisabeth Elliot would say,
Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing.
Whatever that is, just do the next thing.
God will meet you there. –Elisabeth Elliot