9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 10 Thus in Judah it was said, “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, yet there is much rubbish; and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.” 11 Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. Nehemiah 4:9-13
Despite the division of labor and the effectiveness of Nehemiah’s plan, like a bathroom remodel, “there was much rubbish.” The word “rubbish” can mean “dust,” which is also true when you undertake demolition indoors. Perhaps the haze limited the worker’s visibility, which compounded the problem of hearing the rumor that they were surrounded by an enemy now ready and able to physically attack. The focus was shifting to their own strength, not God’s. It says in verse 12 that the Jews closest to the threat complained to Nehemiah “ten times” that, “they (their neighbors) will come up against us from every place where you may turn.”
It seems apparent that Nehemiah was initially unfazed by the threat, since it took ten pleas to move him. Most likely he was unimpressed by the enemies’ capabilities to organize an attack and stop the work. You would hope that our leaders do remain resolute in times of challenge and don’t fold. Since we learn later (Nehemiah 6:15) that the wall was finished in just 52 days, it’s possible that Nehemiah was projecting the time necessary for the enemy to muster its troops for any kind of effective multi-front attack, and how much could be accomplished on the wall during that time. The opposition was obviously overconfident, which is evident with their statement in verse 11.
The presence of “much dust” was both good and bad. While it might afford the element of surprise to the enemy, it also shrouded the work and any provisions for its security and defense. As an aside, good leaders can assess the enemy’s capabilities. Nehemiah was perhaps seeing adversaries with too many heads, Sanballet to the west, Tobiah to the east, the Arabs to the south, and others with them chiming in. By the time they got going in a straight line, the wall would be substantially complete. His God was organized and effective and of course stronger.
But it got to the point that the pace of the work slowed. Necessary changes needed to be made. You can’t put your shoulder to the work when you’re looking over it. The people were paralyzed by fear. So Nehemiah fashioned a plan that would provide for protection and readiness, while at the same time allow for the work to continue. It’s not always “all or nothing.” Effective leaders make crucial adjustments. It may be going to rain, but we’re not going to huddle together indoors. We’re taking our rain gear with us!
Here was Nehemiah’s plan from the text. Number one. Obviously, pray. Verse 9. Number two. Acknowledge the elephant in the room: that the people’s fear and frustration was real and justifiable, and so was the looming threat. Verses 10-12. Number three. Shore up where you’re most vulnerable and use natural affinities and relationships to unify and fortify the effort. Verse 13. Number four. Reinforce the reason for the work at hand and the cause for hope. Verse 14 (below).
“Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14)
When the people could sense the hope and see the result of Nehemiah’s “protection” plan enacted, that God had the upper hand (and he always does!) (verse 15), they returned and remained at the work from that day on.
From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. (Nehemiah 4:16)
They would indeed divide and conquer.
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