OPPOSITION OUTSIDE AND INSIDE With every good work from God, there will be opposition from the devil. With every step by Nehemiah to work, the devil moved in some way or another to make it void. 1- The arrival of Nehemiah to Judah was confronted by dismay from the leaders of the surrounding nations 2- The decision of the congregation to rebuild was confronted by mocking and despite. 3- The progress of the work was confronted by the enemies with anger and ridicule. This is the third time we see Sanballat the Samaritan, and Tobiah the Ammonite, seem to be holding an official meeting in Samaria, with the goal of attempting to stop the rebuilding of the wall; where Sanballat showed his despite of the Jews and their work. Being fully aware of those destructive moves, Nehemiah’s reaction was not to enter into any debate, but to resort by the heart and tongue to God, and to keep on working without ceasing. The enemies start by using the language of mocking and ridicule to destroy the psyche of the Jews . But once the work started to show progress, and the enemies were to be excluded from it, they changed their tactics to violent opposition. ………Here we wish to confirm that that the opposition Nehemiah https://coptic-treasures.com/ confronted, is a living portrait of the opposition of the devil and his hosts against the believers all the time, and in many ways 1- Sanballat and Tobiah mock the Jews 1 - 3 2- Nehemiah cries out to God 4 - 5 3- The Jews keep on working 6 4- The hosts of evil join forces 7 - 8 5- Praying and setting watch 9 6- The enemy provoke the spirit of failure 1- - 12 7- Nehemiah exhorts of the spirit of strength 13 - 22 8- Nehemiah the laborer 23 1- SANBALLAT AND TOBIAH MOCK THE JEWS: “But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews” (1) It was not possible for Sanballat, the governor of Samaria to stand still looking at the progress of the building. Like all other Samaritans who had their own way of worshipping God, recognizing only the five books of Moses out of all the Holy Scripture, the revival of Jerusalem, as far as they are concerned, meant the destruction of Samaria, and a rebuke to them for having marital relations with the Assyrians, creating a race, a mixture of the Jews and the Assyrians; and for mixing between the worship of the living God and the pagan worship. Sanballat received the news of moving to rebuild the wall by: 1- He was stirred-up with anger https://coptic-treasures.com/ 2- He moved from anger to indignation to act with the spirit of hate and envy. 3- He started by mocking them with his tongue, counting the Jews as weak (2), not up to stand before him. But when a man of God like Nehemiah sit with God, his holy feelings set forth to seek the divine council, and the work to the account of the kingdom of God. The wicked, on the other hand, react with anger, indignation and envy; and finally move with the ferocity of words and action. Sin produce sin, and brings man forth, into a series of sins, difficult to get rid of, unless he seeks the grace of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit, who “convicts the world of sins” (John 16: 8)/ + As long as sin, by necessity, is there in your members, do not give it authority on you to reign; but, at least, drive it away, and do not obey its requests Do you have an anger issue? Do not submit to it by your tongue to utter evil words, nor by your hand or feet to strike. The irrational anger would not stir-up in you, unless sin is there in your members. Drive away its tyrant power; to deprive it of its weapons to fight against you; for then, it will learn not to stir-up in you, when it finds itself with no weapons. So it is befitting of everyone of us to strive for perfection; that when the evil desire finds no response from the body members, its power gets less and less through its journey (St. Augustine) + Anger loosens the tongues to utter evil talk without control, provokes acts of mocking, slander, and even physical violence. https://coptic-treasures.com/ (St. Basil the Great) + I recommend the confessors and the martyrs, who have the teachings of Jesus, to be both wise and meek, to liken both the serpents and the doves. Doves, abiding to their meek nature; they will never feel hate against those who rob them of their young; ……Can you see an angry dove, desert the place where its young are robbed? …….With no anger nor hate, and full of meekness, it keep on dwelling together with its robbers; …….The disciples of Jesus acquired such features as instructed by their Lord; ……. Their possessions are robbed, and their children are killed by persecutors, and they still hold their peace; and keep on dwelling with their killers; ………Be meek when you are killed; and wise when you are called to be slaughtered. (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) Sanballat started by mocking and criticism of what Nehemiah and those who were with him were doing; as the Jews did to Jesus during His trial. And even when He was crucified for their sake, the two robbers crucified together with Him, mocked Him; before the one on His right hand perceived the divine truth. Every work to the account of the kingdom of God is met with mockery; The Lord Himself was described as “out of His mind” (Mark 3: 21). And St. John Chrysostom was mocked by the rich and the nobles. + Let them laugh, and let them mock! …… I shall never be preoccupied with that; For I did not come to my position except to be rejected and become a laughing stock; …….I am ready to endure everything. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Yet, whoever persist on his actions, and does not listen to my warnings, I shall prevent him from entering into the church, as though with the sound of the trumpet, even if he is a prince or an Emperor. + Relieve me of my mission; or else, do not commit me to become accursed. How can I sit on this chair if I do not do what is befitting to it? …….. It is better for me to come down of it; for there is nothing worse than a bishop who does not benefit his flock. (St. John Chrysostom) The fathers of the church, speaking often of the attempts of the devil against us; say that we should not assume that he has authority upon us, and would accordingly fall into despair and belittling of our soul; even though by Jesus we enjoy conquest over him. + The devil is called strong, not on account of that he is so by nature, but of gaining authority upon us because of our weakness. + In case we actually wish for change, we should seek the help of the Lord Christ. And in case you wish for reform, nothing and no one will stop you; even the devil will have no authority upon you; as long as you choose the best for yourself, and draw God to help you. ………..But if you do not wish to do that on your own, and avoid the issue altogether, how could He protect you? ………..There is no obligation on your part, but with your own free will, He will save you. https://coptic-treasures.com/ (St. John Chrysostom)’ + The soul can control herself. Even though the devil may suggest things to her, yet he has no authority to force her to do anything against her will He may provide you with the thoughts of adultery. It is up to you to receive it, or to reject it with despise. ………….For if you are an adulterer by nature, God would not have prepared hell. And if you are righteous by nature, and not by your own free choice, He would not have prepared crowns of glory for those who are worthy of them. …….. Although sheep are meek, yet they are not crowned for their meekness, for it is not by choice, but by nature. (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) + The thoughts provoked by the devil are only mental imagination of some evil action; which if they have the chance to reign over our minds, it would be because of the weakness of our faith. For after receiving the commandment to rid ourselves of all confusions, and to keep our hearts with all diligence (Proverb 4: 23), to seek the kingdom of God which is inside us; if the mind happen to forsake the heart and the goal https://coptic-treasures.com/ we should seek, we instantly would open the door of our heart wide before the imaginations of the devil, and the mind would easily receive any evil council ……. To this extent, the devil has no authority to move our thoughts, or else he would not have mercy upon us, but would provoke all kinds of evil thoughts into our minds; and would never allow for any goodness to enter them.; ….. Yet his ability is limited to present a false council; to test which direction our heart inclines; whether to receive his council, or to receive that of God; on account of that they are contradictory. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + Someone may say :’hasn’t Satan harmed Adam, when he corrupted his being, and made him lose paradise’? The reason for this lies in the negligence of him who is harmed, and his lack of self-control, and of strife. For if Satan, with all his diverse strong ways, was not able to submit the righteous ‘Job’, how could he, therefore, by much less ways submit Adam, unless Adam himself, helps Satan to submit him. What then? Will harm not come upon those who are slandered and robbed of their possessions and goods, denied of their inheritance, and come to strive in utter poverty? https://coptic-treasures.com/ No! ……..but they will benefit if they are reasonable…………Have those things harmed the apostles? Haven’t they strived under conditions of hunger, thirst, and nakedness? have come, accordingly, to be glorified and famous; and got for themselves bigger help from the Lord? What harm has come upon Lazarus because of his sores, poverty, and lack of a roof over his head? …………..Have those things not woven for him a crown of flowers of conquest? When Joseph’s brothers intended to do him harm; was he actually harmed? Yet, God will not relieve the plotter of harm of punishment, because his victim became more glorified; but his punishment will be more confirmed because of his iniquity. (St. John Chrysostom) “And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish— stones that are burned?” (2) https://coptic-treasures.com/ Sanballat’s heart became kindled with the fire of envy. Looking at the stones of the wall that were burned with fire to become heaps of rubbish, he did not perceive that the fire of envy and evil has turned his own heart into dust and ashes. What came upon his heart was more horrible and serious than what came upon the stones of the old wall.. With ridicule and mocking, he attempted to destroy the psyche of those who were building the wall. Envy is more vicious than wild beasts, for the beasts are moved by hunger or fear; whereas doing the envious good, is like oppressing them. The work of the devil is to break down the believer’s will to strive, and to provoke him with the spirit of despair,; and in case he starts work, he would soon stop.. Sanballat looked at the Jews as foolish people who do not perceive their weakness, and unwisely dream that in one day they will finish building the wall, and in one day they will be able to celebrate it and offer their sacrifices; they think their God is capable of turning the dead stones into living ones. Many are those who ridicule those who work in the vineyard of the Lord; forgetting that it is the work of the Almighty God Himself; who does more than we ask, and beyond what we think. + There is no sin that can separate God from men like envy; which is even worse than the love of silver; for the later will rejoice once he gains something; whereas the envious will rejoice when someone loses something, or when his labor is in vain; he counts the loss of others as his gain. What could be more evil than this?! The adulterer will fall into sin for the sake of a temporary pleasure; while he practices the sin, then he will most probably regret it, repent, and be saved. Whereas the envious tortures himself, even though he may probably is https://coptic-treasures.com/ unharmed by the one he envies. The sin of envy is therefore the most horrible of all sins; for the envious, being unable to forsake his sin, becomes “like a sow, having washed, returns to wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22), and, by his work, he likens the devil. ………..I may tell you therefore, that even if you perform miracles, keep your virginity, fast, stretch your hands with mercy, or sleep on the ground, in an attempt to reach the virtue of the angels; but you have the sin of envy, you would be worse than all sinners. + The devil is envious, but he envies men, and not another devil; while you, man, envy your brother, and even those in your own family; something the devil never do. (St. John Chrysostom) + Being the governor of Samaria, with an army under his command, he was speaking, most probably to the governors of the surrounding regions, to stir them up to stand by for military action in due time; although he believed that those who were building the wall were weak, and with no military capabilities. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “ Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall” (3) With ridicule he refers to the fox, on account of that Zion became desolate and a dwelling place for the foxes, according to the words of the prophet Jeremiah, saying: “Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, with foxes walking about on it” (Lamentations 5: 18). …… According to some, he did not say ‘Jackals’, but said ‘foxes’; for jackals go out hunting in groups; whereas foxes hunt individually by night; In ridicule, therefore, Tobiah the Ammonite says that to break down their wall, it needs nothing more than a thin single fox to walk on them. The opposition of the enemies was all around the city:: The Samaritans in the north, the Arabs in the south, the Ammonites in the east, and the Ashdodites in the west, on the Mediterranean Sea coast, The enemies felt that, as long as their request for debate was to no avail; they were ready for military action. 2- NEHMIAH CRIES OUT TO GOD: “ Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity” (4) Nehemiah did not pay the mocking back with mocking, nor criticism with criticism, He did not incline his ears to the words uttered by Sanballat, but raised his heart up to the God of heaven who called him to work. He counted what is done by the enemies, as not against the city and its wall and stones, as much as it is against the people as a whole. Nehemiah did not preoccupy the minds of the people with what the enemies say or do (see Romans 12: 17-21); but motivated them to keep on working with an unconquerable spirit. His reaction was not to flee from the battle, nor to stop the work, or even to enter into a debate with the opponents, but to resort to the Owner of the vineyard Himself. In his own name and of all https://coptic-treasures.com/ those who were working with him, he stood seeking from God to intervene, to make the efforts of the hosts of darkness, against the divine truth, to no avail. His prayer was recited by his co-workers by their whole hearts. It became a song by everyone of them while working. All along the eras, the devil did not cease to reproach God on the tongues of his proud and ignorant idol-worshipping followers: “Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me” (Psalm 69: 9) “Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily” (Psalm 74: 22) “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law; Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults” (Isaiah 51: 7). “You have heard their reproach, O Lord, all their schemes against me” (Lamentations 3: 61) “I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the insults of the people of Ammon, with which they have reproached My people, and made arrogant threats against their borders” (Zephaniah 2: 8) “For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written: ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me’” Romans 3: 15) “A fool is ungracious and abusive, and the gift of a grudging giver makes the eyes dim” (Sirach 18: 18)” “Mockery and abuse issue from the proud, but vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion” (Sirach 27: 28) https://coptic-treasures.com/ “There was very great joy among the people, and the disgrace brought by the Gentiles was removed” (1 Maccabees 4: 58) + How can we follow the lead of Christ?.............. By doing everything we can for the sake of the common interest, and not just for our own. The apostle Paul says: “For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written: ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me’” (Romans 15: 3; Psalm 69: 9); for truly man seeks what is for his own good when he takes the good of his neighbor into consideration, What is for the good of our neighbor is for our own good; for we are one body, and members of one another. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + The Savior says: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6: 38). And as the Jews, in protest, condemned Him to death as a sinner, the Psalmist, putting himself in Christ’s place, say: “The reproaches of those who reproached You have fallen on me” (Psalm 69: 9). https://coptic-treasures.com/ Nehemiah carried no spirit of hate or envy, but his prayer was with the spirit of prophecy about those who persist on opposing God Himself. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders” (5). Nehemiah did not hasten to confront those who opposed and mocked him, but sought the intervention of God; the same way the prophet Jeremiah did when his brethren came against him and accused him of treason, and said: “You, O Lord know me; You have seen me; and You have tested my heart toward You. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter” (Jeremiah 12: 3); “Indeed they say to me: ’Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come now! ….Let them be ashamed who persecute me, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be dismayed. Bring on them the day of doom, and destroy them with double destruction” (Jeremiah 17: 15, 18); “Yet, Lord, You know all their counsel, which is against me, to slay me. Provide no atonement for their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from Your sight; but let them be overthrown before You. Deal thus with them, in the time of Your anger” (Jeremiah 18: 23). If the prophets, by the spirit of prophecy, talked about what will dwell upon the opponents of God; the Lord Christ came to confirm to us our commitment to show love even toward the enemies, the opponents of the divine truth; to discern between the evil and the evildoer; between the sin and the sinner; and to desire the salvation of all, saying together with the Lord: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23: 34). That was also said by St. Stephen while he was stoned to https://coptic-treasures.com/ death, when “he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin’” (Acts 7: 60) 4- THE JEWS KEEP ON WORKING: “So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (6) The people kept working, and did not enter into debate with the opponents or their followers. For when the heart concentrates on work, the soul exults in the work of God; and not preoccupied with the opponents. So, everyone did his role, and with the spirit of unity they finished building half the wall; namely they built the whole wall, up to half its height. The practical response to the destructive criticism is to keep working. We can say that the secret of their success was working with one heart. For God, being pleased with the language of the heart, and listening to it, he is equally pleased and will bless the work of the heart. 5- THE HOSTS OF EVIL JOIN FORCES: https://coptic-treasures.com/ “ Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry” (7) The circle of the opponents against Nehemiah and those working with him got wider when Sanballat and Tobiah were joined by the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites. The continued progress of the work provoked the enemies to a more vicious war in which they joined forces together 8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion” (8). That was the third level of opposition by the enemies, which moved from mockery, to threats, and now they seriously intend to go to battle to destroy Jerusalem, once and for all, not just to destroy the wall. 5-. PRAYING AND SETTING WATCH: “Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night” (9) Nehemiah and those with him confronted the opposition against them by praying, together with continuous watch, day and night, for the enemy was not to be trusted. Trusting in God, and leaning upon Him, does not mean to be slothful and lazy. Setting watch and preparing to confront any attack does not mean falling under fear. https://coptic-treasures.com/ There is no point of comparison between a military pact of the Samaritans, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites; on one side, and a very few remnants who came back from captivity with no military experience whatsoever. . Nevertheless, Nehemiah and those with him did not forsake the work, and flee before the opponents who intended to attack them; bur resorted to God by prayer to the Lord Christ calls us, saying: “Watch and pray” (Mark 14: 38; Matthew 26: 38, 41). God allows for us to pass through many troubles, afflictions, persecutions, and injustice, in order to confront all that by watching and praying; and to perceive our need to hide in God, being the stronghold of our life, greater than all the hosts of darkness; as according to the prophet: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 kings 6: 16). Nehemiah did not order those who work with him to watch and pray; but called them to join him in watching and praying. In that he was a symbol of the Lord Christ, who, before He delivered Himself, asked His disciples to partake with Him as much as they could, saying to them: “Sit here, while I go and pray over there……..Stay here and watch with Me” (Matthew 26: 36, 38). + It is good for us to watch and be alert, to pray with zeal, lest we enter into temptation (Mark 14: 38). For unless the Lord Christ gives us grace, ‘Judas’ in us will betray; and Peter in us will slumber.. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Let us then stay where Jesus commanded us to do ……….Let us do as much as we can to watch with Him; “For He who keeps you; He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121: 3, 4) https://coptic-treasures.com/ 6- THE ENEMY PROVOKES THE SPIRIT OF FAILURE IN THE BUILDERS: “Then Judah said, ‘the strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall” (10) The war never slows down. On the outside the hosts of evil join force against the children of God, and even against God Himself; and on the inside some fall into a state of failure and despair; which is more dangerous than the outside war. When they, with an exalted pace have built the whole wall up to half its height, the enemy started to attack them on the inside, by claiming that there is so much rubbish to move, that resulted from digging for the foundation and building the wall, beside the fact that the strength of the laborers was already failing. ….So have men of Judah attempted to provoke the spirit of despair in the laborers. . “ And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease” (11) The enemies plotted secretly to kill the laborers who were building the wall; but God exposed their evil plots to Nehemiah………. How? we do not know! “ So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.” (12) Ten times”, an expression that refers to the repetition of an issue several times. Unfortunately, even the Jews who came from other regions, instead of supporting the laborers, they were breaking their spirit down by provoking the spirit of fear from the enemies…………….. The opposition of the enemies is temporary, https://coptic-treasures.com/ whereas our conquest by the Lord is eternal. The apostle Paul says: “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6: 9); and, “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4: 18). : 7- NEHEMIAH EXHORTS THE SPIRIT OF STRENGTH: “ “Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows” (13) As the enemies seemed to succeed to provoke the spirit of fear among the laborers; Nehemiah, beside lifting up the mental spirit of the laborers; and turning their fear from the enemy to the fear of God…he planned an elaborate scheme to set watch without ceasing to work. He positioned armed men to guard the lower parts of the wall, more vulnerable to the attacks by the enemy; and on the tops as well, where watchmen could spot the enemy from afar, and give the alarm of any coming danger. . “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (14) What was Nehemiah’s reaction?......... He says “I looked”, namely I explored the situation, and thought of what I should do. Then by saying, “I arose”; he means that https://coptic-treasures.com/ he did not stop at exploring the situation, but he arose to move, and to move those who worked with him, from the great and leaders to the common people. He gathered all according to their families, and turned their sight to God the Leader of the battle; so that fear would have no place in them. The apostle Paul say: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of sound mind” (2 Timothy 1: 7) Life is full of events that could provoke in man the spirit of failure and fear; but if we perceive that we are in the presence of God, we shall never be disturbed. When the unarmed children of Israel who came from the wilderness, confronted the armies of the enemies in Canaan, it was said to them: “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people” (2 Chronicles 22: 18). The best way to scatter the fear is to remember that God alone is awesome. “You must not fear them, for the Lord God Himself fights for you” (Deuteronomy 3: 22) “Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies to save you” (Deuteronomy 20: 3, 4). https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Be strong, and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you; He will not leave you, nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31: 6) . “And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work” 15) Once they remembered the Lord and His might, everyone of them returned to his work. They were building while armed and prepared to fight; for they became sure that in the middle of the narrow road, full of risks and continuous opposition, God Himself will fight together with them. . “ So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah” (16) According to Adam Clark, such a situation was not strange for that region, for in Palestine until recently, when someone intends to sow seeds on the land, he has to be accompanied by a guard, lest someone may come and attack him to rob his seeds. .”Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon” (17) https://coptic-treasures.com/ According to some, as no one can build with one hand, while holding a weapon with the other; they believe that what came here refers to that half of the laborers were engaged in building, while the other half stood guard with their weapons; and most probably, they exchanged position every now and then. Thus, they seem as though everyone of them builds with one hand and carries the weapon with the other hand . . “ Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me” (18). The author portrays every laborer as doing the following three duties: a- He builds the wall b- He has his sword girded at his side c- He stands beside the one who sounds the trumpet These three things are integral in the life of every believer who is serious in working to the account of the kingdom of God: a- The believer does not cease to build to the account of the kingdom of God inside himself, as well as in that of others. b- As a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ, he carries the perfect weapon of God; for he fights a spiritual battle. c- His gospel, as a trumpet, perpetually reveals to him the way to the kingdom of God, and exposes the plans of the devil. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall” (19) As the work is great and wide, and the laborers are few, the Lord Christ commands us to pray the Lord of the harvest” to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9: 38), and to work together with the spirit of unity and love. . “Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” (20) The believer should not only rejoice in the success of his work, and in that of the others, as well, as much as in the unity of all together as one body working by the Head Jesus Christ, the Grantor of success. Every spiritual war against a believer or a congregation, is a war against the church of God, that is committed to strive together by the a Spirit of the Lord against the devil, to the account of the kingdom of God. And as we partake of the spiritual strife of the others, and support them by love, prayer, fast, metanoias, and counsel, and do not ridicule them, we shall see God transfigured to fight for us. + The prophet have already prophesied about this battle, with which the Lord was preoccupied, and was consummated by the apostles. (Cyprian the martyr) . “So we labored in the work, and half of the men held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared” (21) https://coptic-treasures.com/ Work usually stops by sunset (Deuteronomy 24: 15; Matthew 20: 1-12). But to work until the stars appear reveals the people’s great zeal to work. The spiritual man does not seek physical rest, nor relaxation, but strives working as long as it is still daytime. + “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6: 13). By “the evil day”, he means the present life; which he also calls: “this present evil age” (Galatians 1: 4); because of the evil practiced in it.. He says “having done all”, Namely, having resisted all the evil and unclean desires, and all what disturb us. ….. Here he does not speak about just practicing the works, but consummating them , Namely, that after having conquest over sins, we should stand fast; for many may fall after having conquest; and an enemy, after being struck and fallen, may stand up again to resume his attack……. As long as we do not falter the enemy will fall again if we stand fast. By saying,: “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day”, the apostle encourages us against the time, being short (calling it one day). To have conquest there is need to stand fast with no weakness. (St. John Chrysostom) . At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day” (22) Even those who used to dwell outside Jerusalem, came to city by night to work as guards. Here everyone, together with his servant partook of every work; a living portrait of the fellowship between the successive generations; every https://coptic-treasures.com/ generation appreciate, and do not despise the new one; the way Joshua was in the company of his mentor and spiritual father Moses; so was Elisha and his mentor and spiritual father Elijah. The elders need the strength of the youth; and the youth need of the wisdom and the experience of the elders. . 9- NEHEMIAH THE LABORER: “So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing” (23) Going to water for washing or drinking with his weapon, refers to alertness and perpetual readiness. …….. + “Let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13: 12). Yes! For the day calls us to put the weapons on, and to fight (spiritually). ……..Do not fear when you hear the word “weapons”; for the seen armor is heavy and troublesome to put on; whereas the weapons here, are desirable and worthy of praying to have them, for they are weapons of light, that give you more splendor than the sun, and makes you more secure. “Let us walk properly, as in the day” (Romans 13: 13)……… He did not tell you to “Walk”, but said, “Let us walk”, to make his exhortation gentle and more acceptable. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13: 14) ,…….. Here he does not talk about specific works, but refers to greater issues. For whenever he talks about iniquities he would refer to its works, but talking about virtue he https://coptic-treasures.com/ refers to its weapons, to show that virtue makes its possessor in perfect security and great splendor ……… He presents the Lord and King Himself as a garment, that whoever puts Him on, virtue will absolutely be his. (St. John Chrysostom) ---------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM NEHEMIAH 4 LIBERATE ME, O LORD, FROM THE SPIRIT OF ANGER + Grant me the meekness of doves, that anger would find no place in me; That I, in simplicity, and in wisdom of the spirit, would love all; And if someone became angry with me, I would only fear you; For the anger of men would not harm me, as long as You are pleased with me; Liberate me and them from the spirit of anger; For us all to become an icon of Yours; + Behold, the enemy mocks me; He counts me weak, and is not able to work; That what I build, a single fox can break down; If it walks on it, its foundation would be shaken; https://coptic-treasures.com/ He counts my heart as a desolate place, a dwelling place only for foxes. + I confess to You that I am just dust and ashes; I have nothing inside me but thorns and thistles But Your grace can set heaven out of dust; It drives out every enemy away, to make You dwell inside me; Your Spirit sets out of me a holy sanctuary for Youself; It make me a fortified Jerusalem; It turns my energies into an army with banners; By You, I enjoy the resurrected life, the deposit of heaven. + Turn my eyes away from the opponent enemy; That the spirit of failure would not dwell in me; Let me look at Your works, so that my heart would be filled with zeal; That my hands would be strengthened to work That all my being would move to pray and to work at the same time; Let all the hosts of evil join forces against me; For Your pleasure in me, is greater than all the hosts of darkness; And Your right hand is stronger than all the evil energies. + Let all the evil energies plot against You; But let me work with the spirit of love and unity, together with my brethren; For then, You would bless the work, as long as it is done by the one heart. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + Together with every success You grant me; The enemy attempts to lessen my trust in You; To provoke the spirit of failure in me; But You grant me the spirit of strength, of understanding, and of love. + The enemy intends to destroy me with all ways; But you are the secret of my life and prosperity; Let me lean on You; for You are the Stronghold of my life; Let me work with the riches of Your grace, so as not to know any slothfulness; + Grant my hands never to stop working in Your vineyard; Let me bear the perfect weapon of God; Let me bear the shield of righteousness, and faith; And the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit; Let him who blows the trumpet of the gospel stand beside me; + Grant me to rejoice in that You work in every believer; That in You, all assemble together; That by You, the building would become one and heavenly.
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