Men to Build the Wall
Building the Wall
Nehemiah 4:10-23
Last week, we looked at Ezekiel, a prophet taken from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon. God had spoken through him, saying He was searching for someone to stand in the gap during a time of turmoil. But no one stepped up.
Seventy years later, Jerusalem was still in ruins. Its protective walls lay in shambles, and the people lived in fear. That’s when Nehemiah entered the picture. He saw the brokenness and couldn’t ignore it. He stepped forward, bringing people together to rebuild not just walls but a sense of purpose and identity.
This isn’t just an old story—it’s a challenge for us today. Just as the walls protected Jerusalem, we’re called to build and defend spiritual walls in our homes, churches, and communities.
1. Nehemiah Answered the Call
Nehemiah wasn’t a builder or warrior—he was a cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:1-3, 2:1-5). But when he heard about Jerusalem’s condition, he couldn’t stay on the sidelines. He chose to be part of the solution, knowing full well that opposition would come.
And opposition did come. Sanballat and Tobiah, enemies of God’s people (Nehemiah 2:10,19), mocked and threatened them. It’s a familiar story—when we take a stand for what’s right, resistance is inevitable. But like Nehemiah, we can’t let it stop us.
2. Broken Walls, Broken People (Nehemiah 4:1-3)
Jerusalem’s broken walls were more than a security issue—they reflected the people’s brokenness. They had lost their identity.
That hits home. In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, it’s easy to forget who we are. As followers of Christ, we can’t afford to lose sight of our identity. The enemy’s strategy hasn’t changed—he still aims to discourage, belittle, and undermine us. But we can’t let that define us.
Even worship had been affected. The temple was rebuilt under Ezra, but fear kept people from fully returning to it. They had settled into captivity, becoming more Babylonian than God’s people. It’s easy to drift when we’re not intentional about staying close to God.
3. Prayer Before Action (Nehemiah 4:4-6)
Nehemiah’s first instinct wasn’t to start building—it was to pray (Nehemiah 1:4-11). He knew the real battle was spiritual.
That’s something I’ve had to learn the hard way. So often, I want to fix things myself, but without God’s guidance, my efforts fall flat. Nehemiah shows us that prayer isn’t a formality—it’s where we get the strength to move forward. Then, after praying, he got to work (Nehemiah 4:20). That’s our model: pray, then act.
4. Overcoming Discouragement (Nehemiah 4:7-14)
Sanballat and Tobiah had no real power over Nehemiah and his team. Their greatest weapon was discouragement. The same is true today. Often, what stops us isn’t external opposition but our own doubts and fears.
That’s why encouragement matters. Nehemiah reminded the people why they were building—not just for themselves, but for their families (Nehemiah 4:14). The next generation was watching. That’s something I think about often. What kind of example am I setting? Am I showing my family what it looks like to stand firm?
5. Strength in Unity (Nehemiah 4:15-23)
The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in record time (Nehemiah 6:15-16). Why? Because the people worked together.
One person can’t do it alone. That’s true in our personal faith, in our families, and in the church. When we come together, each playing our part, the impossible becomes possible.
Jesus: The Ultimate Builder and Defender
Nehemiah’s mission reminds us of Jesus. Jesus is the builder: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is the defender: On the cross, He stood in the gap for us, defeating sin and death so we could be restored.
We need to rebuild the walls in our lives. That might mean strengthening our faith, investing in our families, or standing firm in a culture that pushes against God’s truth. But we don’t do it alone. With God’s help, we can take up our tools and weapons of faith and build something lasting.