The trumpeter is next mentioned. Nehemiah tells us that “he that sounded the trumpet was by me.” From Numbers 10 we learn that the trumpet was blown to call the assembly together and for the journeyings of the camps. Also in times of war, an alarm was to be blown. Only the priests should blow the trumpet, only one who was in that place of nearness to the Lord so that He might know His mind. In verse 12 we read of those Jews who were in the secret of the Samaritans; here the trumpeter was in the secret of God. And this is what the holders and blowers of trumpets represent. The trumpet would not only call the people together, but it also would bring God in, who would fight for His people. Nehemiah then told the people: “The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.”
So they labored in the work from the rising of the sun until the stars appeared. Nehemiah tells us that neither he nor his servants nor the guard put off their clothes at night, except for washing. Those serving the Lord needed to be kept free from all defilement and must wash themselves, as was also required of the priests. This corresponds to what we have in New Testament times — the cleansing which we receive by the washing of the water by the Word. The Word being brought before us, we realize that the Lord is speaking to us, to keep us from going on in a way that is not pleasing to Him. We are not called to build walls of stone nor to fight with the weapons of this world, but the Lord would have us know that He wants His people separated from this world. (John 17: 14-17.)
Many of God’s people have made a mistake in not realizing that when the Lord Jesus came into this world, there came also a change in the ways of God with His own. In answer to Pilate’s question, “What hast Thou done?” the Lord Jesus gave the answer: “My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence.” John 18:3636Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36). The Lord no longer has a nation for a people, but He is calling His people out of all nations. (Acts 15:1414Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Acts 15:14).)
Chapter 5 gives us a glimpse of conditions among the people during the activity of building the wall. There are always those who in heart are not up to the spiritual devotedness of those who have made and are making sacrifices of personal gain and comforts for the Lord’s glory. If we do not judge ourselves we can all fall to this level, and instead of our bearing the infirmities of the weak, the old nature takes advantage of them. Such was the case of some whose ways were brought before Nehemiah at this time.
Those engaged in building the wall did so at personal sacrifices to themselves. They could not provide for themselves while engaged in such work; furthermore, at this time there was a dearth in the land. Then too each one had to pay the king’s tribute levied on them. The result was they had to borrow money from some of their brethen for these things, who instead of acting according to the law, charged them interest. When this could not be paid, it allowed their creditors to take over their lands. They even took away their children as slaves to satisfy these debts. How different the spirit among those early saints, whom we read about in Acts 4:32-3732And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32‑37)!
ML 08/02/1959