From Chapter 3

Under Nehemiah’s capable leadership, work commences on the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. The work begins at the Sheep gate (3:1) and concludes there (3:32), thus signifying that the entire wall circling the city was being rebuilt.

It might appear strange that an accounting of something as mundane as the rebuilding of a wall ? and especially in such detail ? would find its way into Holy Writ. Why do you think the Spirit of God would choose to give us a record of this event?

One author writes: “This is a careful description giving important detail of which much is today unintelligible. About forty sections of unequal length were chosen and each section allotted to certain persons. Nehemiah was an excellent organizer to divide up all this work and to ensure that the work was carried out properly. We may presume that the work started immediately, because of the deplorable state in which the inhabitants lived with an open city around them.”

From Chapter 4
Soon after the beginning of construction, opposition arises from the inhabitants of the land. Since the king of Persia had given him authority for the rebuilding of these walls, those in opposition were powerless to do anything about it. From the verses in chapter 4, how do you see their frustration growing at something happening which they are powerless to stop?
See what you can find out about the following men:

(1.) Sanballat
(2). Tobiah

Since they possess no legal recourse to stop the work, what tactic(s) do they employ in this chapter?

Do you feel that people today use similar tactics in opposition to things that frustrate them, but that they are powerless to change?

Notice Nehemiah’s prayer in verses 4 & 5. Does this prayer sound strange to you? Is it ever appropriate to pray “against” our enemies rather that “for” them?

The opposition did not success in stopping the building at this point. The wall is completed half-way in height. The reason for this success is given in the words of verse 6, “for the people had a will to work.” What other times in the Bible do you recall that willing work done by committed people accomplished things which almost seemed impossible? What are the implications of this for the Pleasant Valley church?

As the gaps in the wall begin to be filled in, the opposition to the work intensified. Nehemiah senses that the workers are in danger. How does he address this situation? Since the people were working under authority of the king of Persia, how is it that those opposed would consider using force to stop this work? Would that not jeopardize them in the eyes of the king?

It does appear that much of their attention has to be turned from building to self-defense. Seemingly this would drain much of their energy and resources. Yet there appears to be no alternative.