Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah 6 describes a time when the rebuilding of the walls is nearing completion, and it shows both schemes of interference from the outside and difficulties arising from within. This chapter unfolds mainly around the various threats brought against Nehemiah and his responses.
- Verses 1–9: On four occasions, leaders of neighboring peoples—such as Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—try to lure Nehemiah to an external meeting place in order to harm him.
- Verses 10–14: Even a person acting as a prophet (Shemaiah) attempts to spread fear and cause Nehemiah to hide in the temple.
- Verses 15–19: Despite all this interference, the wall is completed, and Nehemiah also mentions an internal communication problem between Tobiah’s influence over him and the Jewish nobles.
1verseNow when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
2verseSanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come! Let’s meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to harm me.
3verseI sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”
4verseThey sent to me four times like this; and I answered them the same way.
5verseThen Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
6versein which was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel. Because of that, you are building the wall. You would be their king, according to these words.
7verseYou have also appointed prophets to proclaim of you at Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let’s take counsel together.”
8verseThen I sent to him, saying, “There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.”
9verseFor they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.
10verseI went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within the temple, and let’s shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you. Yes, in the night they will come to kill you.”
11verseI said, “Should a man like me flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”
12verseI discerned, and behold, God had not sent him, but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13verseHe was hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
14verse“Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets that would have put me in fear.”
15verseSo the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.
16verseWhen all our enemies heard of it, all the nations that were around us were afraid, and they lost their confidence; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.
17verseMoreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.
18verseFor there were many in Judah sworn to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.
19verseAlso they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Nehemiah’s Response and Its Meaning
In this chapter, Nehemiah responds to external schemes and temptations, as well as to the promotion of fear from within, with wisdom and a steadfast resolve. He verifies whether the other side is genuine, does not yield to fear, and keeps the community’s mission without losing steadiness. Nehemiah’s example shows the attitude that a community leader must have to deal with the external pressures and internal conflicts they face.
Key Message of Nehemiah Chapter 6
- Despite interference from both outside and inside, the posture of carrying out one’s mission according to God’s will
- Discerning the truth of a situation and not being swayed by emotions
- How a leader’s personal spirituality and trust affect the entire community
- The importance of faith that does not waver even in the face of people’s schemes
Meditation Points
- Let’s reflect on how, in my life or in my community, I face obstacles and temptations in the way I approach my mission like Nehemiah.
- Also, think about what kind of attitude of the heart is needed so that you can judge the situation wisely and not be controlled by fear or misunderstanding.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When moving toward any goal or mission, there may be temptations from the outside and fear from within. Let’s examine ourselves, making sure we judge the truth correctly without losing our center, like Nehemiah.
- Decide to respond with faith and wisdom to even the small challenges I face today.
