6 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;)
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem shows up again. Some people think that it is their duty to harass. A person who has something to do in life does not have time to agitate. Life is pointless if all you have to do is create chaos in others' lives.
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.
Nehemiah recognizes the deceit in the request of his enemies.
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?
Nehemiah said I am working and the work is a lot. Not only is it a lot, but it is also important. Why should I stop what I am doing to come down to have a meeting with you? Please explain. When people want to irritate you or stop you from doing what you are doing, they have nothing else to do. Ask yourselves these questions: 1. What do you want? Are you paying me for wages lost? Why do you think I should listen to you? Why do you think it is your business to tell me what to do? Am I bothering you? If I stop then what will you gain from it? No, these questions are a waste of time too. Just keep doing what you know God has assigned you to do. The questions are what I would like to say sarcastically.
4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Nehemiah did not change his response after they sent the same message four times. Jesus was questioned about his assignment to entangle him. His response was the same. His response was what did the Word say? I am here on assignment and I will finish the work I was sent here to do.
5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then Sanballat put his thoughts in writing. Sanballat was deceived so much so, he believed in his own deception.
6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu 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.
Sanballat is now accusing Nehemiah of wanting to be king. Nehemiah has already stated to the king what he wanted to do and that is all he wanted to do. Why do people make up lies to support their deceit?
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.
Sanballat is disturbed. Nehemiah is a man of business. We may not have a physical Sanballat that taunts us, but the same enemy will use our thoughts to make us second guess ourselves. We must make up our minds to do what is right and don't give in to what is being said by others or by our own mind which sometimes makes us overthink what we need to be doing.
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.
When the enemy seen or unseen sends us a word, send him the Word back. Tell him who is and keep working.
Nehemiah spoke to Sanballat and said
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.
Nehemiah said the enemy made us afraid, saying....then he told God about the fear he had and asked God, to strengthen his hands. He did not say I am afraid of the enemy, Nehemiah was more concerned about the work being stopped by becoming weak. Nehemiah was not alone. He knew that constant harassment can be taxing on him and the people he was supervising. He recognized his fear and cast the fear he had of his strength, who was God.
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.
Could it be that Sanballat knew that Nehemiah would stop by Shemiah's house? Shemiah said let's meet in the temple. We can go into the temple and shut the doors. Your enemies will come and they will kill you tonight. Shemiah told him the plot of Sanballat.
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.
Nehemiah responded no, I will not go in. Even if they want to carry out a plan to take my life, I will be and go where I am assigned.
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.
Did Shemiah send for Nehemiah and Nehemiah came to him? or could it be that Nehemiah went and then realize that Sanballat was behind the words spoken by Shemiah because Sanballat paid him? Why Nehemiah chose to go to the place Shemiah was, I do not know as of yet, but, he did find out for sure he was not speaking on behalf of God.
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.
Nehemiah knew for sure now he was hired. The enemies of God who are the same enemies of Nehemiah thought to make him afraid and break him down so that he would not finish God's plan, therefore, causing him to sin against God.
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.
Nehemiah talked to God about the problems he was having. It seems there are more people giving him a hard time. This time he includes a woman. What we can learn from this is, many may come and that does not matter, God gave the first word and God has the final word.
15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
Nehemiah finished the wall in 52 days. A lot happened. Nehemiah had confidence and at times fear, but the wall was finished.
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.
God prepared a table in front of Nehemiah's enemies. They all saw God's hand on Nehemiah and knew out of all they tried to stop, God finished what he started.
17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
The leaders of Judah sent letters to Tobiah and he sent letters to 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.
Because Tobiah had a family in Judah, some of the people were loyal to Tobiah. They kept him informed of what was going in Judah.
19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
God supported the work of Nehemiah. But that does not stop the enemy from being who he is. If our enemies are relentless, keep doing right and let God finish the work assigned to you. Does this story continue?
My Minute Song
The enemy will come
Like he always do
His only job
Is to mess with you
Whatever he does
It’s nothing new
When he tells one lie
He’ll tell you two
If God started a work in you
Then God will be the one to see it through
So don’t ever be surprised
You’re riding with God and he knows how to drive
Our duty
Is to stay on task
When you work the Word
You know it's gonna last
Nehemiah chapter 6
Is just a reminder to tell you this
Read it on your own and you will see
The God back then will always be!!
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