06.17.2016 Old Testament: Neh 4.21

To read the Bible in a year, read Nehemiah 4–6 on June 17, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

The enemies of the Jews threatened them because they sought to rebuild their protective wall around the city. Therefore, while the work of restoration went on, some of the men had to prepare for war,

So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared (Nehemiah 4.21). 

Wisely, Nehemiah had men filling both positions, workers rebuilding the wall, and warriors ready to fight. If everyone rebuilt, then when an attack came, they would not be ready. Then they would lose the battle and the work of restoring the wall would cease. If everyone prepared to fight, the wall would not be completed. While they did finish the wall rather quickly, yet, it could have gone even faster, if everyone had worked.

Sometimes you have to settle for a lesser schedule, but keep at it, and the work will get done.

Questions:

• Are you a builder or a fighter?
• Can you do both? One time doing one thing, and other time doing the other?