Burdens of the Past
“The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall” (Nehemiah 4:10).
The wall absolutely had to be rebuilt. But where the work of God begins, the devil immediately brings out the heavy artillery.
Through blasphemy, insults, resistance, and open attacks, the enemy tried to hinder the work.
Our verse now shows us another danger that discouraged the hearts of the workers at that time: all the rubble from more than 140 years (destruction of the city in 586 BC - the arrival of Nehemiah in Jerusalem in 445 BC) was in the way!
For the workers, the legacy of the past was an obstacle to working in the present, and future work suffered as a result.
Even today, we may perceive the burdens of the past as so overwhelming that we prefer to throw in the towel straight away. These can be mistakes in the family (for example, a father whose harsh upbringing has damaged us). They can be mistakes among siblings (for example, a tough break-up that we experienced first-hand). It could be mistakes in your own life (for example, sins from your youth or a debilitating addiction). Incidentally, it doesn't even have to be your own failure—the workers under Nehemiah weren't even alive when the rubble was piled up—the failure you see around you alone may be enough to hinder your work.
We don't want to be discouraged by the legacy of the past but want to tackle it with courage. There is much to do, and the Lord wants to give us the strength to do it. Let us not allow the past to obscure the present.
Incidentally, just a few verses later, we read: “And the laborers carried burdens” (Nehemiah 4:17). Courage returned, the work was taken up—and a short time later, it was successfully completed!
