Walls are Divisive

Nehemiah 4

So, allow me to begin this post by saying "Duh!" The very nature of a wall is to divide. Walls are intended to keep some people out, and to keep others in. Sometimes there are even dual purpose walls intended to do both. Everybody has walls! We like our walls, but can have mixed opinions about other people's walls. This is not a 2019-20 issue, it has been around for thousands of years. As long as people have built walls, there have been those who wanted to hinder the building, or tear them down. Ronald Reagan has a famous quote, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

As I read through the book of Nehemiah, the whole purpose of the book is about "wall building". There is the literal wall rebuilt around the city of Jerusalem, and there are spiritual walls rebuilt in people's lives. In both instances, the very intent of these walls are to keep people and practices out. Nobody wants evil to hurt or kill them or the ones they love. Thus walls are built.

Not only do walls divide physically, but they divide based on opinions as well. We have witnessed this in America over the last few years. There are those in favor of walls, and there are those opposed to walls. No matter what side you are on, opinions run strong and deep. Also, there are strong arguments on both sides. Even the Bible has mixed views on walls.

Since I mentioned it, I will run that rabbit for just a moment. On the pro wall side, Nehemiah is the hero building the wall. He is also the hero calling for God's people putting up spiritual walls between them and their pagan neighbors. This even meant excluding some Jews by birth from their company.

On the other hand, Paul wrote that Jesus tore "down the middle wall of partition between us" and God. By this, he meant that when we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God's righteousness no longer separates us from God because of our sin. Just as when the Berlin wall was torn down and families were reunited, when Jesus died on the cross, we (mankind) was able to be reunited with God.

Neither situation was right or wrong. The issue of right or wrong depends on the context and intent of the wall. If a wall is intended to keep out evil, or contain evil, it is good. If the wall is intended to imprison the good, it is evil. Also, perspective comes into play. God was completely justified in isolating man from himself because of sin. After all, we did that to ourselves. However, He was not content with this and He did the work to tear down the wall. He could not violate his own holiness and righteousness, but he could find a way to redeem mankind and restore the broken relationship.

So, what does that have to do with Nehemiah chapter 4? Well, as building of the wall began, people God mad. They even protested!

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But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

Nehemiah 4:1-3

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The people outside of Jerusalem hated the walls. When the walls were torn down, they had free reign to cross the border of the city as they saw fit. They did not have to come through the gates. They could cross wherever they wanted to. Now, they were not only going to have to go through the gates, but they would have to have permission to enter. Frankly their attitude was disrespectful, rebellious, and childish. Oh, and I might add ungodly.

As Christians, we are called to put up walls. Paul wrote:

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Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

II Corinthians 6:17-18

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There are to be spiritual boundaries between us and those of the world. This does not make us superior to anyone. Actually, we are all the same by birth. However, by new birth (Salvation) we are called to be different. We are called to live different. We are called to not let the world influence us. All of this while living among the world. Jerusalem was a physical representation of what we are to be spiritually. Jerusalem was in the world. It was surrounded by wicked people. Yet, because of the physical walls that were build, they were shielded from the wicked. Our walls are spiritual, but they are essential. One of the greatest tragedies among saved people is when there are not walls present. Then, just as in Nehemiah's day, it because impossible to tell those called by God, from those in opposition to God. They live together and alike.

Father, help me to build strong, tall, wide spiritual walls in my life. I pray that you would be the architect of those walls. May they be walls of protection from the enemy, but not walls that isolate me from being a witness. I pray the walls will be visible. Even though there will be those who hate the walls, and mock the walls, may I be resolved to build, just like Nehemiah!