Original: July 2, 2007
NE 4:8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
NE 4: 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Nehemiah 4:7
As I have shared before, as the oldest sibling I was taught by my dad that I should always protect my younger brother and sister. In my life I have been in four fights, all of which happened something up to the sixth grade, except a little altercation with my brother. All were over in one push, (Jeff Bromby), one headlock (Mike Gray) or one punch (Ricky Little and Nicky Masseman).
The Ricky and Nicky fights were so long ago and both so similar that I have forgotten most of the details, but I believe it was Ricky Little who was picking on my little brother Tom to the point of tears. When he saw the fury in my fat five-year-old face he ran for home but I caught him at his door step, turned him around and punched him right in the nose. My mom made me go next door to apologize, and when I nervously knocked on his door his giant (why their last name was “Little” I will never know) Sheriff Deputy dad happened to be a in the middle of applying direct pressure to his bleeding nose.
The older I get and the more I see how men have been emasculated by a feminist society the more I believe we have misinterpreted Jesus’ “turn the other check” statement of Matthew 5:39. I do believe we should allow persecution if for the purpose of furthering our faith and bringing glory to God’s Kingdom (2 Timothy 3:12), but let’s face it, how many of our conflicts really involve our faith? I believe the Old Testament gives us a better picture of God’s intent when it comes to the issue of fighting. I believe that my dad was close to the heart of God when he taught me never to fight unless protecting my younger brother and sister. To this day I hold to his command and believe this pleases God. I will gladly turn the other check when persecuted for my faith and I will fervently bloody any nose in order to protect the ones I love.
Nehemiah 4:14 confirms my point. The people were afraid and Nehemiah knew it when he records that He “saw their fear”. However, being a great leader Nehemiah spoke to something greater than fear. He spoke to something that defeats fear every time.
“Remember the Lord who is great and awesome.”
He shouted, “Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and hour houses!” Nehemiah appealed to the primary love of the men of Israel, their families. Note that he was talking to men. It is the men who must fight. It is the men who must lay their lives on the line. It is the men who went into battle. And it is the men who must overcome fear to stand against all that may place his loved ones in harms way.
Paul wrote, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Men reject passivity.
Men do not seek to fight, but when their loved ones are cornered they will fight to the death if need be.
A man is the most dangerous of all warriors.
A man will die on any hill that involves his family.
