Nehemiah 4:10
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
The complaint belongs to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall amid opposition from neighboring chiefs. It expresses the discouragement of the workers on that wall, whose failing strength and extensive rubble left them feeling unable to continue building. The words were spoken by disaffected Jewish leaders who claimed the burden bearers had lost strength and the rubble was so great the wall could not be built.
Their report exaggerated the difficulties and was used to discourage Nehemiah and the builders, weakening courage and creating disaffection. The discouragement shows the work was opposed not only by open enemies but also weakened by unreliable friends and helpers. This experience is typical of those who work for God, who may face contempt and reproach before enemies turn to more violent measures.
It pictures faithful builders on the true foundation perplexed and hindered when the rubbish of false doctrine obstructs the work. The decayed strength of the bearers of burdens means weariness from constant struggle against persecution, fraud, iniquity, and every hindrance Satan devises to stop progress. In that weariness some who had been faithful builders become disheartened and turn away from the true foundation for the sake of peace and security for property and life, and so are not able to build. Others stay undaunted and keep building despite the hindrances.