10 And Judah said, The strength of the workmen is giving way, and there is much waste material; it is impossible for us to put up the wall.
But the men who had gone up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.
For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they took from the children of Israel the desire to go into the land which the Lord had given them.
<For the chief music-maker. Of David.> In the Lord put I my faith; how will you say to my soul, Go in flight like a bird to the mountain? See, the bows of the evil-doers are bent, they make ready their arrows on the cord, so that they may send them secretly against the upright in heart.
Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, made his army do hard work against Tyre, and the hair came off every head and every arm was rubbed smooth: but he and his army got no payment out of Tyre for the hard work which he had done against it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 4
Commentary on Nehemiah 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
We left all hands at work for the building of the wall about Jerusalem. But such good work is not wont to be carried on without opposition; now here we are told what opposition was given to it, and what methods Nehemiah took to forward the work, notwithstanding that opposition.
In all this Nehemiah approved himself a man of great wisdom and courage, as well as great piety.
Neh 4:1-6
Here is,
Neh 4:7-15
We have here,
Neh 4:16-23
When the builders had so far reason to think the design of the enemies broken as to return to their work, yet they were not so secure as to lay down their arms, knowing how restless and unwearied they were in their attempts, and that, if one design failed, they would be hatching another. Thus must we watch always against our spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be accomplished till our work is. See what course Nehemiah took, that the people might hold themselves in a readiness, in case there should be an attack.