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warning to all future generations。
In every religious movement there are some who； while they cannot deny that the cause is God's； still hold themselves aloof； refusing to make any effort to help。 It were well for such ones to remember the record kept on highthat book in which there are no omissions； no mistakes； and out of which they will be judged。 There every neglected opportunity to do service for God is recorded； and there； too； every deed of faith and love is held in everlasting remembrance。
Against the inspiring influence of Nehemiah's presence the example of the Tekoite nobles had little weight。 The people in general were animated by patriotism and zeal。 Men of ability and influence organized the various classes of citizens into companies； each leader making himself responsible for the erection of a certain part of the wall。 And of some it is written that they builded 〃everyone over against his house。〃
Nor did Nehemiah's energy abate； now that the work was actually begun。 With tireless vigilance he superintended the building； directing the workmen； noting the hindrances； and providing for emergencies。 Along the whole extent of that three miles of wall his influence was constantly felt。 With timely words he encouraged the fearful； aroused the laggard； and approved the diligent。 And ever he watched
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the movements of their enemies； who from time to time collected at a distance and engaged in conversation； as if plotting mischief； and then； drawing nearer the workmen； attempted to divert their attention。
In his many activities Nehemiah did not forget the source of his strength。 His heart was constantly uplifted to God； the great Overseer of all。 〃The God of heaven；〃 he exclaimed； 〃He will prosper us；〃 and the words； echoed and re…echoed； thrilled the hearts of all the workers on the wall。
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But the restoration of the defenses of Jerusalem did not go forward unhindered。 Satan was working to stir up opposition and bring discouragement。 Sanballat； Tobiah； and Geshem； his principal agents in this movement； now set themselves to hinder the work of rebuilding。 They endeavored to cause division among the workmen。 They ridiculed the efforts of the builders； declaring the enterprise an impossibility and predicting failure。
〃What do these feeble Jews？〃 exclaimed Sanballat mockingly； 〃will they fortify themselves？ 。 。 。 will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned？〃
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Tobiah； still more contemptuous； added； 〃Even that which they build； if a fox go up； he shall even break down their stone wall。〃
The builders were soon beset by more active opposition。 They were compelled to guard continually against the plots of their adversaries； who； professing friendliness； sought in various ways to cause confusion and perplexity； and to arouse distrust。 They endeavored to destroy the courage of the Jews； they formed conspiracies to draw Nehemiah into their toils； and falsehearted Jews were found ready to aid the treacherous undertaking。 The report was spread that Nehemiah was plotting against the Persian monarch； intending to exalt himself as a king over Israel； and that all who aided him were traitors。
But Nehemiah continued to look to God for guidance and support； and 〃the people had a mind to work。〃 The enterprise went forward until the gaps were filled and the entire wall built up to half its intended height。
As the enemies of Israel saw how unavailing were their efforts； they were filled with rage。 Hitherto they had not dared employ violent measures； for they knew that Nehemiah and his companions were acting under the king's commission； and they feared that active opposition against him might bring upon them the monarch's displeasure。 But now in their anger they themselves became guilty of the crime of which they had accused Nehemiah。 Assembling for counsel； they 〃conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem。〃
At the same time that the Samaritans were plotting against Nehemiah and his work； some of the leading men
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among the Jews； becoming disaffected； sought to discourage him by exaggerating the difficulties attending the enterprise。 〃The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed；〃 they said； 〃and there is much rubbish； so that we are not able to build the wall。〃
Discouragement came from still another source。 〃The Jews which dwelt by；〃 those who were taking no part in the work； gathered up the statements and reports of their enemies and used these to weaken courage and create disaffection。
But taunts and ridicule； opposition and threats； seemed only to inspire Nehemiah with firmer determination and to arouse him to greater watchfulness。 He recognized the dangers that must be met in this warfare with their enemies； but his courage was undaunted。 〃We made our prayer unto our God；〃 he declares； 〃and set a watch against them day and night。〃 〃Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall； and on the higher places； I even set the people after their families with their swords； their spears； and their bows。 And I looked； and rose up； and said unto the nobles； and to the rulers； and to the rest of the people； 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。
〃And it came to pass； when our enemies heard that it was known unto us； and God had brought their counsel to nought； that we returned all of us to the wall； everyone unto his work。 And it came to pass from that time forth； that the half of my servants wrought in the work； and the other half of them held both the spears； the shields； and
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the bows； and the habergeons。 。 。 。 They which builded on the wall； and they that bare burdens； with those that laded； everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work； and with the other hand held a weapon。 For the builders； everyone had his sword girded by his side； and so builded。〃
Beside Nehemiah stood a trumpeter； and on different parts of the wall were stationed priests bearing the sacred trumpets。 The people were scattered in their labors； but on the approach of danger at any point a signal was given for them to repair thither without delay。 〃So we labored in the work；〃 Nehemiah says； 〃and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared。〃
Those who had been living in towns and villages outside Jerusalem were now required to lodge within the walls； both to guard the work and to be ready for duty in the morning。 This would prevent unnecessary delay； and would cut off the opportunity which the enemy would otherwise improve； of attacking the workmen as they went to and from their homes。 Nehemiah and his companions did not shrink from hardship or trying service。 Neither by day nor night； not even during the short time given to sleep； did they put off their clothing or lay aside their armor。
The opposition and discouragement that the builders in Nehemiah's day met from open enemies and pretended friends is typical of the exper