What happened in Nehemiah’s time has happened in all generations. The attack is on for the family. This is not just advice; it’s an order. The people had returned from Babylon to rebuild the walls. They met much opposition. It’s a challenge to have a sound home and family. It’s not just a small problem. The devil is out to destroy the family. Nehemiah said fight for the family.
Nehemiah 4: 11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. 13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
It’s almost as if Nehemiah is describing the times today. The home and family is the cornerstone of civilization and society. Regardless of the nation, creed, or color, the home is held dear. People who believe false religions honor the family. Families are intact in China, Russia, the Middle East and the jungles of Africa. In America we boast about being one nation under God, but many have abandoned him. They profess one thing and do another. Homes and families lose their value when this occurs. America is falling apart by forsaking God and the institution of the home.
In medieval times, if an enemy went after a king, he had the people and their families come inside the castle gates. The inhabitants were protected inside. The enemy would surround the castle and cut off the food and water supply in hopes of starving the people out and causing someone to open the gates so they could get in. Home is our castle and it is being stormed by the enemy. Israel was a sound nation when they kept the Lord as their God. When they left God, the walls came down. When they left God and adopted the standard of sin, they were taken into captivity. We see a great falling away and have for years. Jesus built a church with walls able to stand. When we leave God, the devil lays siege upon us. People quit praying. They stop reading the Word of God. Children drift from parents, parents from each other. A home is not made of separate entities going after their own thing. There must be a union of a man and woman and children who follow.
It’s been said that we can’t legislate morality but we sure can legislate a lot of immorality. Our very civilization is in danger of destruction. If the home is destroyed, the church will suffer. When God is dropped from the family, the family will drop out of church. Home and family has been defined yet the definition is being changed. Long before the homosexual movement stormed the castle, the devil began chipping away. This was allowed in and that was allowed. People began living together outside of marriage. We’re so used to it now, but in the eyes of God it is still a sin. The only union sanctioned by God is one man and one woman in marriage. Instead this is becoming the alternate lifestyle. Did is start in Washington D.C.? No! Long before it got there, it was in the home. Failure of homes began. We pretend God will overlook it, but he will not. This is as wicked a time as the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. It brought Israel down. Sure the enemy was at fault, but so were God’s people.
What are we to do? Be a father. Be a mother. Be a brother or sister. Be a Christian and do your best to help others not fall into the depths of sin. I’d protect my home and family with a gun if I had to, but the intruders who come in on the phone, on the internet, and on the television need to be watched. If you lose your identify as men and women—dads and moms—in the homes, it will affect the church. That’s what the devil is after.
Paul listed several sins to the church at Corinth and said such were some of you but now you have been changed. Act like it. Keep sin out of the castle. Arm yourself in the faith. We will need weaponry that will turn the enemy around. Put God back in. Put the enemy out. Know the Word and how to give an answer on the issues of the day. Our opinion doesn’t mean a lot. What matters is what God says and it’s not his opinion. It’s the way it is.
Home is not an institution of man but a creation of God. Marriage didn’t start with the Ten Commandments. It started in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. If the devil was as busy as he was then in efforts to destroy it, he’ll come after us. The castle needs to be defended. Animals treat their families with more care than people do. It’s good to know how to defend the family physically if needed, but it’s better to know how to stop the devil. Nehemiah called for a resetting of positions. They got in place on the wall.
Lots of homes are already gone. People have the title but they are not real dads and moms. I thank God for children who treat parents with respect and parents who live worthy of respect. It’s time to take the castle. Stand. Close the windows and doors to the devil. Build a home on a godly foundation.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 