Nehemiah 6:1-19
1 Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmua saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sentb many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my wordsc to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Nehemiah 6:6. Thou mayest be king. Sanballat accused this very old man of a crime that was in his own heart, had he but seen an opening, for he kept a standing army in Samaria.
Nehemiah 6:7. There is a king in Judah. The hostile governors thought to intimidate and unman the governor, by charges of high treason. They construed those who conducted the public worship, to flatter Nehemiah with regal dignity.
Nehemiah 6:10. Mehetabeel who was shut up, as an ascetic. This religious traitor endeavoured to work on the fears of the governor, to save his life by hiding in the sanctuary. Noadiah and others seconded his views. What a reproach must they have brought on themselves by their venality!
Nehemiah 6:15. The wall was finished in fifty and two days. No work is done like that which is done with a willing heart.
REFLECTIONS.
Wisdom is better than might; but here the courage of the governor equalled his years, and is worthy the imitation of christians. The answer he gave his enemies is very proper for us, when attacked by the temptations of Satan. He was employed in a great work; the business of religion is the most important of all; let it not cease that we may go into bad company, either for the sake of compliment or ceremony. Shall we flee, who profess the religion of Jesus, and are his by solemn engagements? We who have families that will be influenced by our example? Let us be resolute that we will neither do that which is evil, nor decline that which is good, on account of any solicitation or importunity whatever.
When any attempts are made to weaken our hands, let us earnestly pray that God would strengthen them. This is a proper petition when we are entering upon duty, when surrounded by enemies, when temptations present themselves, especially at a time when iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. We have need of strength to stand resolute; it is a great comfort to reflect that God is able and willing to strengthen us, and that those who come to the throne of grace shall find grace in time of need. Stedfastness and resolution in a good work will overcome all difficulties, and at last be crowned with success. Had Nehemiah been discouraged and intimidated by these various artifices, the rising glory of Jerusalem had been covered with a cloud. Had he fled to the temple, and shut himself up there; it would have been taken as a proof of guilt, and would have proved the ruin of himself and his work; but his stedfastness brought the work to perfection. Let those who are desirous to serve God themselves, and promote the interests of religion, be resolute in the good cause. Let no allurements draw them aside, let no threatenings or banters dishearten them, and let us all learn from this example, to be stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58.