Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 29:78 (Spring 2025)
Article: Editorial
Author: Ron J. Bigalke, Jr.

Editorial

Ron J. Bigalke

Nehemiah 4 reveals the disappointment and discouragement of the Jewish people in rebuilding the walls and repairing the gates in Jerusalem. The project was half completed, yet the people wanted to quit. Fatigue was one of the reasons and another was frustration. Verse 10 reads, “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, yet there is much rubbish; and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.” Allusions of the glory of the project had been overtaken by the enormous task for those involved, so they were discouraged.

Serving the Lord can be challenging. There are times when (as the ancient Jews confessed), “there is much rubbish,” whether indifference, sin, stubbornness, or tradition. Rubbish is the very thing that hinders a person from accomplishing tasks with excellence. The process can become a “halfway syndrome” where a project reaches the midway point and things seem more demanding than at the beginning.

In verse 6, the people rebuilding the wall “had a mind to work” but, at the halfway point, they became fatigued, tired, even mentally frustrated. The workers in Nehemiah’s day were becoming less guarded, less vigilant. They exclaimed, “Yet there is much rubbish, and we ourselves are unable.” The people were exasperated and exhausted, and did not think they had enough strength to finish the work. They were anxious. They had been guarding the city walls both day and night, but they did not guard their own minds. The world, the flesh, and the devil can always put thoughts in a person’s head that should not be there. The ancient Jews were allowing their enemies who were surrounding the city to overtake their mindset.

The enemy threatened to come against the Jews “from every place where” they turned (v. 12). The people were collapsing mentally, partially because of their physical exhaustion but just as much from mental fatigue. The enemy was overtaking their minds. They did not believe they had the strength to continue. As their strength was diminishing, Nehemiah told the people, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome” (v. 14). He said in verse 20, “Our God will fight for us.” They needed to heed the Lord’s word and not become preoccupied with the enemy.

Present circumstances can easily result in too much focus upon the challenges, which is why it is always good to remember the words of 1 John 4:4b, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” God continues to build his church, and the Lord’s promises are true. We trust this issue of the Journal of Dispensational Theology will be an encouragement from like-minded believers amidst present challenges and joys that are characteristic of life. By fortifying the mind and strengthening faith in God through the reading of t...