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WORK WITH ONE HAND…WEAPON IN THE OTHER

"From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other"

  For the past two weeks we have studied two lessons of Nehemiah—chapter 1 and 2. The event occurred a few thousands years ago. The context and experiences are quite from ours.  Even so, timeless truths from these studies are still relevant to us.  One important lesson is the power of one person. In this case, Nehemiah (one person) makes a huge difference in the lives of many people. One person’s concern and prayer makes difference. One person’s prayerful, careful planning and motivation makes difference.

  As the drama unfolds, this becomes clear.  One person’s leadership alone is not adequate.  It requires the unified efforts of large numbers of people that make difference. Any great projects in this life all include constraints. No one will ever be in a position that everything is provided for. As the work of rebuilding the wall was progressing, the external oppositions were slowly intensifying. For this Nehemiah and his team of leaders provided responsible and coordinated actions of  “working with one hand and weapon on the other”.  

  First, building the ten gates (3:1-32).  The book of Nehemiah is his memoir. Chapter 3 is the detailed work report.  In this chapter Nehemiah report 42 groups of people that participated in the building of the wall.  Building the wall in Jerusalem was not an easy task.  This project involved careful planning and assignment of the detailed portion of work in each group of people. Each group was responsible to complete a particular section. There are 10 gates listed by name in this chapter, and each one of them is significant. We may regard the names of these ten gates as merely arbitrary ones. On the other hand, we gain some definite spiritual lessons for us as we examine the names and order of the gates in the walls of Jerusalem. Yesterday I searched through and found information about these gates. In the book of Nehemiah ten gates are mentioned in chapter 3 and 2 other gates The Gate Ephraim (Neh. 8:16) The Prison Gate (Neh. 12:39) are listed as well. The same number of gates will be in the walls of New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12-13). The following table summarizes all the major wall sections and the names of people who worked them.

  This table shows that broad section of people (42 groups) participated in the construction of the wall together. Great deal of collaboration made this construction of the wall possible.  Nehemiah was very careful in recognizing all these people. 

  All these gates refer to the various aspects of Christian life. Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep”(Jn 10: 7). To enter through the fellowship with God we may come through any one of the above gates. We all need to know Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away our sins and enable us to stand before the awesome God.

  I came through the Old Gate (through the ministry of God’s word). Then, I passed through the Fish Gate and learned to teach the Bible to others, then the Water Gate for the rich work of the Holy Spirit These days I enter through Dung Gate for spiritual renewal.  As a leader I had to go through the Valley Gate for humility and God’s mercy. Each time I attend the funeral service I feel like entering through the Inspection Gate being reminded of God’s judgment.  

  Ultimately, it is destined for us to die once and after that we face God’s judgment someday (Heb 9:29). Two types of judgment are recorded in the Bible. One is the judgment as a believer. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” On the other hand, the great white throne judgment is God’s judgment on the unbelievers. In Rev 20:12 we read, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” Consider our definite appointment with death and be prepared to meet God.

  Second, the oppositions against the rebuilding the wall (4:1-8). There are different patterns of oppositions. When Nehemiah and his people showed the rapid progress in their work, there were some people who were quite angry and greatly incensed about it. Look at verses 1 and 2. Sanballat tried to damage the work through his threatening and ridiculing words. In the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he told; (1) The Jews were feeble and weak; (2) The Jews really cannot do it. He kept asking questions to plant doubt in the hearts of people and planted doubt by asking questions about their capabilities (4:1-2).  

  Look at verses 3 and 4. Tobiah, the Ammonite, made fund of the quality of workmanship of the Jews. He suggested that the gate would be so weak that even the fox would break down after climbing up there.

  Nehemiah did not argue with them. He did not waste his energy fighting them.  Instead, Nehemiah prayed.  Look at verses 4 and 5; “ Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.”  In his prayer (1) he asked God to hear them, for they were despised.  He also requested that God might turn their insults back on their own heads.  He prayed for God’s just judgment against them. 

  What was the progress of the work? Rapid and effective.  Look at verses 6 and 7: “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” People worked very fast till all of it reached half its height.   The people worked with all their heart. 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.” The opposing leaders were very angry as the work progressed so rapidly. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.

  Third, Nehemiah and the people focus on work and defense at the same time (4:9-23).  In addition to prayer, Nehemiah took practical measures to deal with the threats while continuing the work.  Look at verse 9: “But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”

  Additional problems arose within.  Look at verses 10-12:  “10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” The strength of the people were failing, the threats of the enemies became more obvious and the appeal for help was growing.

  What did Nehemiah do?  Look at verses 13-14. Nehemiah stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. Second, Nehemiah also said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes”.  In this way the plot of the enemies was frustrated and the people were motivated to work harder than before.  

  Look at verses 16 and 17; “From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other”.  In this way both leaders and their men were all united to work together.

  Besides, Nehemiah instituted another crisis intervention system. Look at verses 18-20: “18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

  Here we learn some important principles on how to keep going for our important projects in life.  The most critical one is to overcome fear. Our enemies are not flesh and blood (i.e., visible people that might discourage and oppose us).  Rather, they are invisible forces that work against us.  God’s message is this: “Do not be afraid.  Do not fear.” As we try to do anything meaningful in this life, we try beyond our normal capacity. Immediately we fall into doubt and fear saying, “Can I really do this?” Do not be afraid.  Do not quit.  This is God’s message.

  Secondly, God wants us to come up with effective actions to counter the threats and make the important project going. Face the reality and know what is doable. We cannot work based on vague wish hoping that no problem should occur.

  Third, leaders set examples and keep working with the people together.  We all rather want simple life. We just want to work and that’s it.  But this life requires more than one thing from us. We must work with one hand and hold a weapon in the other. This is life. It is good to accept this reality early and learn to live with it.

  Each time I visit Germany I consider how this nation has rebuilt so quickly after two World Wars. They worked and studied at the same time. America, with its relative short history (about 300 years), has grown with great infrastructures and effective systems of governance. How is it possible?  American people worked and fought hard to build this nation. 

  Next week Dr. John Seo and Dr. Ezra Park will present in Chicago UBF entitled, “Challenges and Opportunities of Ph.D. faculty for Campus Mission”. It is challenging to get a Ph.D.  The challenges then start with a Ph.D. Getting a faculty position, working through tenure process, integrating faculty work and mission work, and most of all, being able to participate in Campus Mission in larger scope are quite challenging. The challenges are mostly about being an effective and exemplary leader.  Yet, the opportunities are also great.  The opportunities are those of being leaders as well.  These opportunities are to teach, motivate, inspire and influence people’s lives in large scale and eternal sense.

  Christians are called to love God and serve him in this world. Therefore, we must all learn to work with one hand and weapon in the other. We all feel (at one point or another) that your Christian life is demanding.  You want some relief. Then, take some break.  Some of you may feel that life in UBF is not easy.  So you rather want to hide so that you may do whatever you need to do for your life only. If that’s what you really want to do, that’s what you will do.  Yet, you may miss great projects in your life.

  Last week I attended the funeral service of my friend’s father.  Seeing a person lying in the casket reminds me about the essence of this life?  What is this life about? This life is meant to live by faith, love and hope. Nehemiah or his parents probably went to Babylon as prisoners of war in chains. Within 30 to 40 years these families became prominent in their new world.  How did they become like that? They learned to be faithful and therefore competent in their youths. With competence and excellence they become successful in their lives. With their success they have opportunities to serve larger world and learn leadership.  At this time they practice humility and learn to work with others. The book of Nehemiah shows the primary active period of Nehemiah’s life. By faith Nehemiah was faithful for his personal success. In love for God and his people he practiced humility as a successful leader. Later in his life, he as an old man lived in hope and therefore practiced gratitude. This is what the seasons of life are all about.  

  This semester we have two prayer topics: (1) raise up Bible teachers for Christ and his kingdom; (2) prepare for our remodeling work.  Both require hard work—discipline, devotion and dedication. May God give you spirit of Nehemiah and his people—“Work with one hand and weapon in the other”.   But this is not only about Nehemiah.  This is what Jesus teaches his disciples.  Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”(Lk 9:23). Have you passed through any gate to know Jesus?  Are you a disciple of Jesus? Do you come after Jesus? Do you deny yourself and take up your cross? May God give you the spirit of joy and hope as you bear the burdens of this life and challenges and opportunities to serve Jesus and his kingdom.

      September 14, 2008.  Toledo UBF

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®;. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.