We all face opposition: faith, work, health, and in other areas. No one can live their life without facing it. Some people just don't have to see how ugly it can be. How aggressive some people become to prove their point. Lets be honest with ourselves. There are probably times when we have been the oppressor.
Nehemiah was putting everything he had to make Jerusalem beautiful and safe again. This made some people uncomfortable and unhappy. It highlighted how some people did not care or did not do their job. When a person brings about change, it always make some people uncomfortable, afraid, or angry.
When Sanballet and Tobiah became strong oppressors, Nehemiah cursed them. They were forced to face their sin. If they had put that energy into helping, it would have made them look good. Instead they chose the path that made them look like fools.
The Jews worked hard and worshipped God as they worked. It gives a little life back when you have nothing left. It was such a strong spiritual currant in the air. Everyone worked in a way that they could end the day with pride of accomplishment.
However, this passion also brought hate. There were some people that wanted to kill the Jews. For whatever reason, what they did or how they did it, produced hate. Nehemiah was not about to allow hate to stop God's work. He formed a guard to protect the workers as they worked and walk the vulnerable areas at night. Everyone had a weapon for protection, even when washing.
Nehemiah knew that God was fighting the hidden battle for all the Jews, so he worked faithfully and let God do His thing. He prayed through each step of the way with strong faith. He never stopped fighting oppression, but it was done through prayer, not angry words, fist, or weapons. He pushed through the oppression by prayer and faith.
Nehemiah 4
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