Beatrice Picon Supporter I'm a homemaker taking care of what God put in my care.

Obviously there is not a contradiction. Nehemiah was praying in everyone's presence that they would understand that God hates greed in anyone, and for them to allow the transformation that God does provide.

In Matthew we read that compassion should come for our hearts for anyone that persecutes us, the children of God.

I hope this was helpful,
Blessing to all

May 13 2015 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H. Supporter prayer warrior

We have to remember that two themes run through the Bible. Earthly and spiritual.. In the Old testament the basis for prayer was a covenant relationship with God. These people were very concerned with the things of the world present in every day life.

Nehemiah and the people were honoring God by the building of the wall. Those around them were criticizing the work of God. The work God had given them. Nehemiah prayed that God see their sin. He appealed to God to see what was happening to the people.

In the Matthew 5:44 scripture, Jesus is speaking. "LOVE your enemies..."
At first it could seem as if these verses conflict, but, they do not. The activities of anyone who is against righteous work is to be despised. Such as those mocking the workers in Nehemiah. THE ACTIVITIES! 

We are to pray for our enemies, but we can disagree with their actions. Kind of hate the sin love the sinner. 

Nehemiah was well within his prayer boundaries. Actually mild mannered.

The earthly and the spiritual theme starts way back in Genesis. A good comparison would be to look at the prayers of Moses, then look at the prayers of Paul.

First the natural, then the heavenly. Cain, the earthy man, Be Abel the spiritual man. 

It is all so complex, and yet oh so simple. God Bless!

May 20 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Does Nehemiah 4:4-5 contradict Matthew 5:44?

In short, no, the verses do not fundamentally contradict each other because they represent different contexts: Nehemiah's prayer is a plea for God's divine judgment against persecutors, while Jesus' command in Matthew is a directive for personal conduct toward enemies. 

Nehemiah asks God to act against his enemies who are attacking God's people. In contrast, Jesus' teaching is a moral and spiritual standard for individual believers to follow in their daily interactions, as explained on Bible Hub and greggcaruso.blog.

Regarding Nehemiah 4:4-5, Nehemiah and the Israelites pray for God to judge their enemies who were opposing the rebuilding of the temple walls. The prayer asks God to "turn their reproach upon their own head" and deal with their iniquity. This was a plea for God's justice and protection, entrusting the vengeance to God rather than taking personal action. 

Whereas Matthew 5:44, Jesus commands his followers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". This is a New Testament principle for how individuals should behave towards those who mistreat them.

It is a call to a higher standard of personal behaviour, rooted in the character of God who shows mercy to both the good and the evil.

Conclusion:

Why are they not in contradiction?

Different purposes: Nehemiah's prayer concerns the public, divine judgment of those who threaten God's people, while Jesus' command concerns the personal, individual response of a believer to an antagonist.

7 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report