Herein is a lesson for us when we feel that we are being opposed in the work of the truth.

It has been said that man proposes, but God disposes. In Neh 4:15 we read that God had brought the enemies’ counsel to nought, enabling the Jews’ work to proceed. In a similar way, we must ensure that we are on God’s side.

4:6Having ‘a mind to work’ in the things of God is more important than having the worldly skills that some might think are necessary – how often do we hear ‘I could not do that …’ or similar words. God’s assessment is according to what a man hath, not what he doesn’t have - 2Cor 8:12

4:14 In response to the antagonism and warring of the enemies Nehemiah, rather than encouraging the people to go out and fight against these enemies encourages them to trust in God. Whilst this might seem a very passive action it is just the sort of thing that God seeks from His servants Moses told the people Exo 14:13 "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,"

4:3 Notice that Tobiah is with Sanballat. This is the way of mockers. They seem to think that there is strength in numbers. In reality each of them is encouraging the other in a hopeless situation! So if we come up against a number ‘mocking’ they are no more effective than an individual unless we allow ourselves to be intimidated with numbers.

4:1 Notice Sanballat’s approach. He ‘mocked’ Nehemiah’s response is interesting. He prayed to God. We so easily rise and respond to mockers. We should realise that the mocker can do little else.

4:4 In despising the work of Nehemiah and his helpers those opposing him were in fact also opposing God. Hence Nehemiah could reasonably expect his prayer to be answered. We need to be clear in our prayers that we are concerned for God’s position rather than simply making requests which focus on our own desires.

Neh 4:1 - in modern times when true believers go to weekly memorial services, take the Bible seriously, worship Christ as a figurative wall of protection from the world and its ways there can be mocking, ridicule and sometimes persecution. We need to constantly strengthen our spiritual defenses to protect against such adversaries.

 Neh 4:2 - Sanballet and the army of "Samaria" [(8111) means "watch station, watch mountain"] watched but they had poor spiritual understanding of they saw. Similarly, not all will seek protection in Christ when he returns to earth ( Rev 17:14). Neh 4:4 - when faced with insults and trouble the Jews didn't respond in kind but turned to God in prayer (James 5:13). Neh 4:9 - they prayed and set a watch day and night (similarly, Peter was told to watch and pray Matt 26:41); believers are to pray without ceasing (1Thess 5:17), self examine (1Cor 11:28) and be on watch day and night (Matt 25:13).

Neh 4:10 - "...The strength of the bearer of burdens is decayed..." (Christ will give us rest and his burden is light Matt 11:28-30).

Neh 4:14-15 - credit given to God for having brought their counsel to nought; be not ye afraid (Isa 41:10;43:5) - believers don't have to worry or be afraid either as God knows our needs (Matt 6:28-34;Matt 7:9-11).

Neh 4:9,17-18,21 - prayer plus devoted action in doing the Lord's work.

Neh 4:9,22,23 - staying awake with clothes on perhaps echos waiting for Christ (Rev 16:15).

Neh 4:22 - (coupled with "habergeons" v.16, perhaps we have an echo in 1Thess 5:5-8); V.22 "lodge within Jerusalem" - the chosen ones were to take their rest in Jerusalem - perhaps this reminds us of a future rest (Heb 4:1-11).

14:1 return unto the Lord Isaiah 55:7
14:2 calves of our lips Hebrews 13:15
14:3 in thee the fatherless find mercy Psalm 10:14

14:5 'I will be as the dew ...' uses the ideas of Proverbs 19:12 to contrast the wrath of Yahweh against Israel with the greatness of His mercy and love if they were to repent and turn to him. Israel was the 'foolish son' of Proverbs 19:13. Israel's 'contentions' [Proverbs 19:13] was unbecoming of a wife. Yahweh was the husband who had to tolerate the contentions.

14:4 That God’s anger will be turned away contrasts with the recurring theme in Isaiah (5:25, 9:12,17,21, 10:4, 12:1)

If Israel returned to God in repentance, then He promised to be "like the dew" to them (v5). The dew is different from rain in that it appears every day rather than every so often. Back in the days of Eden, when everything was still "very good", everything was watered by dew, and in the wilderness journey Manna appeared every morning with the dew. The point is made is that there was no variation in those days. No feast or famine.

The fulfilment of this promise can be found in John 15 where Jesus picks up these words. The vine mentioned in Hos 14:7 here applies to Jesus and his followers who are part of him. Their growth and fruitfulness are assured through Jesus (v5). The interesting conclusion to matching these two scriptures together is that the "dew" in Hosea becomes the "words" of Jesus in John, which are taken up into the vine to make it grow(v7). God was promising to feed and water His people every morning with this word which would assure their growth. This is why Jesus tought us to pray "give us this day our daily bread", reminding us of God's promise to feed us spiritual food each and every day.

14:2 ‘the calves of our lips’ is a ‘spiritual sacrifice’ as defined by Peter – 1Pet 2:5 – and is used in this way in Heb 13:15.

14:4The wonderful promise of healing from God for a backsliding people did not have much effect on Judah for Jer 31:22 shows that the call was still being made years later.

14:3 The repentance of Israel and turning away from idol worship will be fulfilled in the kingdom – Zech 13:2

3:7 Paul was comforted in his affliction by their faith. That is their confidence in the word provided support to Paul when dealing with his problems. See also 2 Corinthians 1:4 2 Corinthians 7:6, 17 2 John 13.

4:9 'taught of God' quoting Isaiah 54:13. One of the very few quotations I have identified from the Old Testament in 1 Thessalonians. The context of Isaiah 54:11 - 14 is that of blessings flowing out of tribulations just as can be seen in 1 Thessalonians 4.

ch.3 - The two mentions of Timotheus (:2 6) refers to the events of Acts 17:14,15 and 18:5 when Paul left Thessalonica in haste because of the constraints tat the magistrates laid on him he left Paul and Silas there to continue building up the brethren. Acts 18 records their return to Paul with news on the development of the ecclesia at Thessalonica.

4:11 In encouraging the brethren and sisters to 'study to be quiet' the Apostle is not suggesting that quietness comes from an academic study of the Scriptures. Rather the word 'study' <5389> here carries the sense 'be ambitious' - see RV margin. Consider the two other uses of the word Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived <5389>2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour <5389>

3:13 That Christ will come 'with all his saints' quotes Zechariah 14:5

4:14 'God will bring with Him' quotes Isaiah 56:7. Isaiah 56 speaks of the call of the gentiles so an appropriate quotation to an ecclesia where there are a significant number of gentiles. Jesus used this area of Isaiah 56 (:7) -Matthew 21:13) to highlight that the gentiles were to be included in God's plans

3:6 The time when Timothy came from Macedonian - that is Thessalonica - is recorded in Acts 18:5

4:11 In encouraging the brethren to 'do your own business' Paul is warning against one of the biggest problem that Adam's nature brings. That of being a busybody. This must have been a problem throughout the Roman world for Peter (1Pet 4:15) also warns about it.

4:16,17 These verses are taken by Evangelicals (particularly) to describe the rapture which will take place just before the Tribulation.  They reckon that raised believers together with believers who are living at the time will be taken out of the earth while the Tribulation occurs.  They believe that the Tribulation will be a seven-year period in which the Antichrist (a Jew) sets himself up as king in Jerusalem.  He will finally be deposed. 

Unfortunately, they have based scriptures, which are ascribed to Jesus, as belonging to the Antichrist.  Thus, when Jesus returns to earth and sets up His kingdom in Jerusalem, He will be opposed as the Antichrist.  He will not be deposed but He will instead destroy those who oppose Him.

Those who think that they will be taken out (caught up 4:17) at His coming (the supposed Antichrist) will be greatly surprised that they have not gone anywhere. 

3:10 Clearly Paul is concerned about the welfare of the brethren in Thessalonica – doubtless because of the way he was treated at Thessalonica and the fact that he had been barred from coming back to the city –Acts 17:9

4:8 The principle that despising man is equivalent to despising God draws on the teaching of Jesus – Matt 25:40

4:12 ‘them that are without’ is language that Jesus used – Mark 9:11 – to describe those who would not understand his teaching. So we would be safe in concluding that Paul is using the phrase in the same way.

3:5     It is reasonable to presume that the ‘tempter’ was in fact the authorities in Thessalonica who, having barred Paul from the city, would have tried to silence the ecclesia as well.

3:12 Abounding in love one toward another is a fulfilment of what Jesus taught was the first and second commandment – Matt 22:37-39. The way we behave towards others shows how we view God.

4:16 Maybe Paul had in mind the words of Jesus – Matt 24:30-31– when he speaks of the trumpet.