Reading for December 9th

Read Nehemiah 4.10-23. In verse 10: But Judah said, "The stregth of the burden bearers is failing": Facing not only external pressure to cease, Nehemiah now had to contend with wavering resolve among the builders. Judah is a metaphor for the whole community. The burden bearers hauled materials up to the points on the wall where they are needed. In verse 12: They said to us ten times is an idiom for "repeatly." These informants want to be sure the community understands that rebuilding may provoke a general raid. In verse 13: So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places: Nehemiah's strategy was to place the people where they would be ready to respond to an attack anywhere along the wall line. The lowest parts may have been chosen to conceal the force from any attacker. In verse 14: Do not be afraid ... remeber the Lord: In the Biblical tradition of the holy war the armed forces is promised that God will fight on their behalf. In verse 15: We all returned to the wall: The immediate threat of military challenge having passed, the community could now return to the task of rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah's subsequent orders are designed to maximize the work on the wall while demonstrating a preparedness for defense. In verse 16: Half of my servants: Probably a chosen group of individuals under direct employ of Nehemiah and whose loyalty he could count on. With such careful provision,the danger of general military action aagainst the community was stymied. Comments or Questions..