The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

God fighting for his people.

"Our God shall fight for us." An inspiriting assurance. Grounds of it in the case of Nehemiah and the Jews.

I. WHEN WE MAY CHERISH THIS ASSURANCE. When we fight for God; which we do—

1. When we contend in and for his cause. When our contest is against Satan, sin, and error; and on behalf of Christ and truth and righteousness and souls—our own and others.

2. When we are actuated by sincere and supreme regard for him. Desiring his glory, and trusting him for strength and victory.

3. When we employ the weapons which he has given us. Not using Satan's arms, but the weapons of truth and love (see 2 Corinthians 10:4).

4. When we fight in the spirit which he prescribes and imparts (2 Timothy 2:25; James 1:20).

5. When we battle with all our power.

II. THE GROUNDS OF THIS ASSURANCE.

1. The relation of God to us. "Our God."

2. His interest in the contest. It concerns his "great name," the accomplishment of his purposes of love to mankind in Christ, the destruction of his enemies.

3. His summons to it.

4. His promises.

III. THE EFFECTS OF SUCH ASSURANCE.

1. Alacrity to engage in the combat.

2. Courage.

3. Confidence of victory.

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Finally, take heed lest any of you fight against God. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker."

HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON

More for Nehemiah 4:20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

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 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 commentaryMatthew Henry on Nehemiah 4:16-23We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over till our work is ended. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which we ought to have always at hand, and never to have t…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Precautions of Nehemiah. (b. c. 445.)THE PRECAUTIONS OF NEHEMIAH. (B. C. 445.) When the builders had so far reason to think the design of the enemies broken as to return to their work, yet they were not so secure as to lay down their arms, knowing how rest…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 4:16-23Armed workers. The enemies of the Jews, who meditated an attack upon them, finding that they were aware of their design and well prepared to receive them, withdrew their forces, and the work of restoring the wall went o…Joseph S. Exell and contributors