In Nehemiah 4, after a tactical plan and some encouragement from Nehemiah (as discussed in the previous article), the people get back to the work that they had started, rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem:
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.
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, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
Nehemiah 4:15-18 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/neh.4.15-18.NIV
As compared to earlier in the project, the work is a little bit different now: Not everyone is working to rebuild the wall, as some serve to maintain a state of military readiness. (Even with the benefit of God’s protection, they were still battle-ready.) This also shows that Israel knew what was going on, taking away any “element of surprise” from their enemies. As they re-fortified and prepared to defend Jerusalem (the holy city of the people and their God), God had “frustrated” the plan of their opponents.
They didn’t just keep building like they had been, but they kept working. They adjusted their approach, adding reasonable precautions (having armor and weapons ready, along with leaders and a plan – see v.19-20), but they kept working on the greater job.
Sometimes, our work for the Kingdom of God might need to change strategy, and sometimes it might slow down, but none of this is a surprise to God. Changing our implementation plan at God’s direction is not a sign of failure, nor is it even an indication that the previous approach was wrong for its situation. It’s just a sign of flexibility, of listening to God, and of seeking out the best solution for the Kingdom of God in each time and place.
I think of Christians in countries where they are persecuted as being like the Israelites in Nehemiah’s time. Even with God’s protection, they take practical precautions to protect themselves from those who are hostile towards them. As a result, even though they don’t worship in the same environment as I do (where there are many freedoms), they still worship the same God.
In fact, I think that the congregation I’m a part of (First Christian Church, Canton, OH, USA) has done exactly this over the years. For instance, people are discipled in a variety of groups (not just Sunday School classes, even though that was a large part of the congregation’s ministry in the past century). In today’s world, schedules and logistics make meeting at the same time as everyone else more difficult, but Biblical communities are still present to help people grow in their faith. Similarly, people are invited to church through the Internet and social media, rather than a band playing on the church roof (a tactic used by a former pastor of FCC Canton), as the reach of the church expands far beyond our local city, but lost souls are still called to meet Jesus.
It’s been said before, but the mission – in fact, the Great Commission – hasn’t changed since Jesus gave it to His disciples in the first century. However, the methods must grow and adapt over time, based on the environment.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 12, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, February 12, 2023, © 2022 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Ezra-Nehemiah, by Keith Schoville. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 