Rebuilding the Walls – Opposition

Westhill Episcopal Church

Neh 2:10,19-20; 4:1-3, 7-15

They frustrated the building of the temple, causing it to cease (Ezra 4:1-4)
When the temple work re-commenced Tattenai opposed them, but this time it was completed (Ezra 5:3-5)
When Xerxes became king of Persia the opposition complained to him about the Jews (Ezra 4:6)
When Artaxerxes sent Ezra to Jerusalem to administer justice the opposition secured permission from the king to stop the re-building that was taking place (Ezra 4:7-23)
But the problem was a spiritual one, as Malachi the prophet points out (Mal 2:9).
Honouring God (Mal 3:14-17). Dependance on God (Neh 2:20; 4:4,9,14,15)

God’s purpose for His kingdom – to grow and fill the whole earth (Dan 2:34-35)
Jesus’ purpose for His church – to grow and to overcome the gates of Hell (Matt 16:18).
The problem – broken walls across the length and breadth of this country.
Opposition – challenge, cynicism, mockery.
The problem has a spiritual cause. The opposition can never break down the walls of the city of God – only God himself will do this if his people turn away from him to depend on other rocks.
The need – a people with a burden, who feel God’s passion, who repent and mourn before Him, who cry out for His mercy and grace, who believe He will respond, who commit themselves wholeheartedly to him, who seize the opportunities He gives, who encourage others, who stand firm against the opposition.