The wall is halfway up, but rubbish still heaps high, and the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed. In Nehemiah 4 the builders look away from what is already raised and declare they are not able—while those who mocked now gather to fight. How do you keep building when the work is unfinished and you are already spent?
What looks successful is not always healthy, especially when everyone depends on one gifted leader. In Exodus 18, Jethro watches Moses carry the people’s disputes from morning until evening and warns that both Moses and the people will wear themselves out. How does God actually intend his people to serve together?