Ne. 4: Opposition

Nehemiah 4:14 "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.""

During the rebuilding, the jews are getting mocked by the local yokels. Anywhere from Israel's strength to their craftsmanship was fair game. Tobiah even claimed that a mere fox could come and knock over their wall. Nehemiah prays that this ridicule be returned to the mockers. By God. Instead of taking vengeance within his own power, Nehemiah chooses to leave it up to the LORD, who is a genius in the punishment department.

Israel is getting tired though. It is a big job. There is lots of rubble and a lots of work to be done (No word on whether or not they will rock down to Electric Avenue). They come to the realization that they can't do it on their own. 

Here is where Nehemiah steps up and takes some leadership, and starts reorganizing things. Where the walls are low or weak, he stations more people, and some people are taken off the project to take up arms to protect against remnants from the HACPHAJ who just want to make life hard for those participating in the reconstruction. Except those Tekoa nobles, who sat around, stroking their beards, wondering "What's to be done with this Nehemiah?" There were even plans for if an attack came. They would blow a horn and all meet at that area and fight off attackers. Pretty neat.