The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 45

Yers. 16-23.-Armed workers. The enemies of the Jews, who meditated an attack upon them, finding that they were aware of their design and well prepared to receive them, withdrew their forces, and the work of restoring the wall went on again. Nehe- miah, however, thought it necessary that the people should be prepared for resistance at any moment. He therefore kept half his own retinue always on guard, well armed, while the other half worked; he appointed that every labourer should work armed; those whose work permitted, holding a weapon in one hand while labouring with the other ; the masons, whose work required both hands, having a sword by their side ; he placed the rulers behind the people, to direct the work and, if need were, to lead the fight. He himself was everywhere, overlooking the workmen, and on the alert for the enemy; having a trumpeter by his side to summon all the people together to resist any assault that might be made. As an additional precaution, he ordered those of the people whose dwellings were elsewhere to lodge by night in the city; while he, his relatives, slaves, and other attendants, though compelled to sleep, never put o:ff their clothes (unless the last very obscure words of the chapter state an exception) until all danger had passed. The lessons from this paragraph for any Christian Church or society, and indeed for any co=unity, are, the importance of-1. Diligence in work, combined with readiness for contest. It is work that secures prosperity, but conflict may be necessary for the work's sake. 2. Thorough union. 3. Division of duties, Each taking what he is best fitted for, or is thought to be by those in authority. 4. Good organisation. 5. Good rulers. 6. Obedience to them. 7. Self-denial. In all-those highest in authority the most careful to practise it. Vers. 17, 18.-.Building in readiness to fight. "They which builded on the wall, &c. For the builders . . . . so builded." - Regarding the work of building the wall of Jerusalem as an image of Christian edification, whether of the individual or of the Church, notice- I. THE NEED WHICH CHRISTIANS HAVE OF PREPARATION FOR COMBAT WHILE ENGAGED IN BUILDING. 1. In seeking each his own spiritual profit. Must be intent on im- provement and growth, but at the same time ready to fight. For his spiritual foes are near, and may make their onset at any moment and from any direction. 2. In seeking to profit others. Instruction in the truth is of primary importance ; but there must be preparedness to meet objections and reprove or warn against errors and sins. Applies peculiarly to Christian ministers. Their main work is to " edify ; " but in doing so they must not only be ready for but actually do battle against iniquity and false teaching. Besides which, they, like Nehemiah and his retinue, must espeeially mount guard for the protection of the whole community against threatened assaults of unbelief, superstition, immorality, &c., and be ready, if necessary, to summon all to fight against them ( see Ezek. iii. 17, seq.; xx.xiii. 7, seq.). OH. IV. 7-23.) THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. 46