A football team is made up of individuals with great skills — blockers, runners, kickers, throwers — but a single player cannot play the game alone.
Individuals must come together as a team with a common goal, a shared jersey, and a strategy to work hard, be vigilant, and persevere despite opposition.
Vince Lombardi said that individual commitment to a group effort is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, and a civilization work.
In the same way, the people of God in Nehemiah’s day came together as one team with one vision — to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem for God’s glory.
Historical and Biblical Context — Setting the Scene for Nehemiah 3–4
The wall of Jerusalem had been in ruins for roughly Christ’s day Christ’s day Christ’s day Christ’s day 140 years since Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it in 586 BC.
Nehemiah received permission from King Artaxerxes to return and rebuild; he arrived, inspected the wall by night, and rallied the people (Nehemiah 2).
Chapters 3 and 4 record the actual rebuilding work and the opposition that arose against it.
The opposition came from four enemies surrounding Jerusalem: Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, the Arabs, and the Ashdodites (Nehemiah 4:7–8).
Nehemiah 3 — Rebuilding the Wall: The Gates, the Materials, and the People
The Gates of Jerusalem
Ten gates are listed in Nehemiah 3, each with its own purpose and significance.
The Sheep Gate — where lambs for temple sacrifice were brought in and where justice was administered; built by the high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests (Nehemiah 3:1).
Other gates mentioned include the Fish Gate, the Old Gate (Jeshanah Gate), the Valley Gate, the Dung Gate, the Fountain Gate, the Water Gate, the Horse Gate, the East Gate, and the Muster (Inspection) Gate (Nehemiah 3:1–32).
The Building Materials
The wall was constructed of large quarried stones, sometimes pre-cut to size, held together with mortar.
The gates were made of wood — likely oak, cypress, or cedar — strong, durable timber able to withstand attack.
Gates were secured with bolts and bars for protection.
The People Who Participated
Spiritual leaders led by example — the high priest Eliashib and his brothers started the work (Nehemiah 3:1).
Civic leaders — rulers of districts and half-districts organized sections of the wall (Nehemiah 3:9–18).
Families and ordinary people — men and women, fathers and daughters worked side by side (Nehemiah 3:12).
Tradespeople — goldsmiths, perfume-makers, and merchants repaired sections near their own homes or shops (Nehemiah 3:8, 31–32).
Some individuals went above and beyond, repairing a second section of wall (Nehemiah 3:4–5, 21, 27, 30).
One notable exception: the nobles of Tekoa refused to put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors (Nehemiah 3:5).
The work was organized strategically — many people built the section of wall nearest their own homes, giving them personal motivation to build it strong (Nehemiah 3:10, 23, 28–30).
Key Truth — Building for the Glory of God Is a Team Effort, and Everyone Has Something to Offer
A project of this magnitude could never have been accomplished without the mobilization of the entire community, empowered by God.
Nehemiah beautifully illustrates the power of unity — all different kinds of people, each assigned to their own area, working shoulder to shoulder with one vision: that God would be glorified.
Application to the Body of Christ
Before Christ, we were like the ruined wall — a disgrace, without purpose; only the Lord can rebuild our lives and give us a new identity and purpose.
Every Christian is called by God to be part of His family and part of His family business — building His kingdom (Romans 12:4–8).
We may not be equally gifted, but we all have something to offer regardless of age, gender, education, finances, or vocation.
There should be no “one-man band” in the church; the statistic that 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work is a challenge to the body.
The analogy of the book-printing company: salespeople, project managers, schedulers, pre-press workers, plate-makers, press operators, bindery workers, shipping crews — each person essential, each equally valuable.
Reflection: What has God called you to do? Are you using what He has given you to build His kingdom?
Nehemiah 4 — Opposition Arises Against the Work
First Wave: Ridicule and Mockery
Sanballat was furious and mocked the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria (Nehemiah 4:1–3).
Tobiah the Ammonite joined in, saying that even a fox climbing on the wall would break it down (Nehemiah 4:3).
Their tactic: belittling, shaming, and demoralizing the workers to get them to stop.
Second Wave: Conspiracy and Threat of Military Attack
When the wall reached half its height, all four enemy groups — Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, and the Ashdodites — plotted together to attack Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:7–8).
Jews living outside the city overheard the enemies’ plans and reported back to Nehemiah roughly ten times, urging the workers to abandon the project (Nehemiah 4:12).
Third Wave: Internal Fatigue and Discouragement
The people of Judah said the strength of the laborers was giving out and there was too much rubble; they could not rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 4:10).
Fatigue, discouragement, and fear from within compounded the external threats.
Nehemiah’s Response — Prayer, Vigilance, Perseverance, and Trust in God
Prayer — The First Response to Every Threat
When ridiculed, Nehemiah prayed: “Hear us, our God, for we are despised” (Nehemiah 4:4–5).
When threatened with attack, they prayed and posted a guard (Nehemiah 4:9).
Prayer did not replace action; prayer made their actions effective for God’s work.
Vigilance — Alertly Watchful to Avoid Danger
Nehemiah stationed armed people at the lowest, most exposed points of the wall where the enemy would likely attack (Nehemiah 4:13).
He posted them by families with swords, spears, and bows.
From that day on, half the workers carried construction tools and half held weapons; every builder wore a sword at his side while working (Nehemiah 4:16–18).
Perseverance — Continuing the Work Despite Opposition
Nehemiah told the nobles, officials, and people: “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your families” (Nehemiah 4:14).
When the enemies heard that their plot was known and God had frustrated their plans, all the people returned to the wall, each to his own work (Nehemiah 4:15).
They worked from dawn till the stars came out; no one changed clothes except to wash (Nehemiah 4:21–23).
Trust in God — The Foundation of It All
Nehemiah declared: “Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20).
Seeing the wall completed would be a far greater benefit than fleeing to safety in Judea.
God frustrated the enemies’ plans and empowered His people to finish the work.
Key Truths and Application
Key Truths
Building for the glory of God is a team effort, and everyone has something to offer.
The enemy’s strategy has not changed — he uses ridicule, fear, discouragement, and division to stop the work of God’s people.
Our response must mirror Nehemiah’s: pray first, stay vigilant, persevere, and trust that God will fight for us.
God uses the opposition and the messiness in our lives for our ultimate good and His glory.
Application and Reflection
Where is your wall the lowest? Satan will attack at your area of greatest weakness and vulnerability — know what those areas are and set a guard.
Are you trying to persevere in your own strength? It is hard work to persevere all the time, especially without relying on the Lord.
Do not take a break from vigilance; the enemy does not take a break.
Remember: God is great and awesome, He will fight for you, and He will accomplish His will (Nehemiah 4:14, 20).
Like Nehemiah’s workers, hold a tool in one hand and a sword in the other — build the kingdom while staying armed with the Word of God.
Closing Prayer — “Lord, stir in us a desire to get in the game with you. Give us a mind to do what you’ve called us to do. Prepare us for opposition. Help us persevere while holding the sword of the Spirit, because you fight for us. Raise up in us a fresh passion and boldness to pray while we build your kingdom for your glory.”
