Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 4:7-15

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God has many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church's enemies.

If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It was the way of this good man, and should be our way.

All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection.

God's care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God another time.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:1-23This description of the building of the wall of Jerusalem may be taken as representing the life of the Church militant. The chief points are these:— I. THE SPIRIT which pervades and actuates it. "The people had a mind t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:1-23The work and warfare of the Church. I. The weak of the Church. 1. Derided. "And mocked the Jews" (Nehemiah 4:1). 2. Under-estimated. "These feeble Jews" (Nehemiah 4:2). 3. Misrepresented. "If a fox go up, he shall even…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Nehemiah 4:7-15We have here, I. The conspiracy which the Jews' enemies formed against them, to stay the building by slaying the builders. The conspirators were not only Sanballat and Tobiah, but other neighbouring people whom they had…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7-15Armed opposition. Ridicule failing and the work progressing, the enemies of the Jews, more angry than ever, conspire to stop it by force of arms. We have here— I. ENEMIES WITHOUT. 1. Various (Nehemiah 4:7). 2. Combined…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7-23The wisdom of the Christian workman in the hour of peril. We are reminded here of— I. THE PROGRESS OF SIN IN ITS COURSE (Nehemiah 4:8). From sneers the enemies of Israel passed on to plots; from taunts to a mischievous…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7-23EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:7It came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, at Samaria, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, in their respective residences, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, or "that the (entire…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8To hinder it. Rather, "to do it hurt." The word used is a rare one. According to Gesenius, it has the two senses of "error" and "injury."Joseph S. Exell and contributors