What do these feeble Jews?

“But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that 

we builded

the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation,

and mocked the Jews.

And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews?”

Nehemiah 4.1-2a

God had prepared the way.  God had opened the doors.  God was supplying for the needs.  Nehemiah and the Jews were serving the Lord with all of their heart – they were busy about their heavenly Father’s business – they were focused... “But it came to pass...”

Guess what..?  Somebody didn’t like it!

This man, Sanballat, and his evil friends heard that “we builded” .

Note that it does not say, “had built”, or, “were going to build”,  - in other words they were not resting on the work that others had ALREADY DONE, nor were they just thinking/talking/dreaming about what they MIGHT DO somewhere... sometime...  NO!

“Sanballat heard that we builded...”  and he was angry, very angry and he was ridiculing these “feeble” Jews.  And he would work very hard to discourage, distract and dishearten them from doing the work God gave them to do!  “What do these feeble Jews?”

So, were God’s people going to “take the bait”?

No.

Even though it would be a struggle, Nehemiah would tell them (and ask them): “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” (Nehemiah 6.3)

Because, if Nehemiah and the people do go “down” to them, if they give in to the anger of others, and the ridicule, the discouragement, distraction and disheartening attacks, then the work would not get done!

So, don’t quit!  And don’t “go down” to their level – whoever they are that say we are “feeble”!  Especially if we truly believe that we are “doing a great work”!  It is the Lord’s work – isn’t it? (Mt. 16.18, Lk. 12.32)

Run with patience,

Pastor