’Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night.’

But the billows rose higher.  Three mighty waves came sweeping on, and threatened to swamp Nehemiah’s frail vessel.

(1) The builders grew discouraged and tired.  The cry was raised inside the city, ’We had better give up attempting to work, the rubbish is too deep, it will never be cleared away, the men who are carrying it away are worn out, we cannot build the wall, it is of no use to try any longer.’

Ver. 10:  ’And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.’

(2) News was brought in from all sides, that any day, any night, at any moment, a sudden attack might be expected, for their enemies were boasting loudly to all they met that they were confident of taking the builders by surprise.

Ver. 11:  ’And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.’

And not only was there discouragement inside the city and threatened danger without, but the number of hands was lessened upon the city wall, for (3) men arrived from different parts of the country, saying that it was absolutely necessary that their brethren who had come up to work on the wall should at once return home.  They were needed to guard their families and their homes from the approaching foe.  Ten times over Nehemiah received deputations of this kind (ver. 12); and the spirits of the builders sank lower and lower.

But Nehemiah, like a true leader, rises to the occasion, and does not allow himself to be cast down.  He did not make light of the difficulties he saw around him, but he manfully faced them, and in the hour of trial his people did not desert him.

One day, ver. 14, looking towards the north, Nehemiah suddenly saw the enemy coming.  But all was ready; the weapons were laid where they could be taken up in a moment.  No sooner is the alarm given than the work ceases, and the whole company of builders is changed into an army of soldiers, and swords, and spears, and bows are to be seen on the walls instead of trowels and hammers.  Nehemiah had carefully arranged the position which each man was to occupy; he drew up his soldiers after their families, probably giving to each family the part of the wall nearest to their own house, that they might feel that they were fighting for their homes, their wives, and their children.  Then when all were put in readiness Nehemiah called upon them to be brave in the defence of their city, and not to fear the foe.

’Be not ye afraid of them:  remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.’

The enemy approaches; but instead of taking Jerusalem by surprise, as they had boasted they would, they find they are expected, and will meet with a warm reception if they advance farther.  They are afraid to make the attempt; God guards the faithful city, and Sanballat and his allied forces withdraw discomfited.  No sooner has the enemy beaten a retreat than the work begins again.