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More Nehemiah commentaries
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Nehemiah prays for his people
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Nehemiah was fearful of what others may think
Nehemiah 2:9-20
Nehemiah determines to rebuild the wall
Nehemiah 3:1-14
Delegation of the work load
Nehemiah 3:15-32
Helping everyone to feel a part of the objective
Nehemiah 4:1-6
Ridicule and Criticism comes to Nehemiah
Nehemiah 4:7-14
Nehemiah reminds the people of their calling
Nehemiah 4:15-23
Nehemiah sets up a communication system
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Nehemiah determines to rebuild the wall
Nehemiah 2:9–20
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in its defense are the constitutional rights secure. (Source Unknown - Lou Nicholes, Missionary/Author) … More
Even though Nehemiah took the shortest route possible, the journey to Jerusalem would have taken at least two months. The king appointed captains and horsemen to go with him, both for his protection and to show that he was a man who had the king’s stamp of approval (v. 9). As soon as Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem he began to face opposition (v. 10). Two of his strongest opponents were Sanballet and Tobiah. Sanballet was governor of Samaria and Tobiah was probably governor of Transjordan, which was under Persian rule. They immediately began to plan how they could stop Nehemiah from achieving his goal. A rebuilt Jerusalem would be a threat to the authority of the Samaritan officials who had been in charge of the land since Judah’s exile.
However, Nehemiah’s determination to rebuild the wall was not dampened. He knew that God had brought him to this moment in Israel’s history and he was about to tackle a project that others, for almost 100 years before him, had been unable to complete. Nehemiah demonstrated an excellent approach to problem solving. He first of all took three days; presumably to think and pray (v 11). Then he made a careful survey of the walls to see what problems he might face. He kept his mission a secret as he surveyed the walls by moonlight to prevent his enemies from being alerted to his plans (vv 12-16). Also, a premature announcement could have caused rivalry among the Jews as to the best way to proceed.
After developing a workable plan to rebuild the walls he shared his vision with enthusiasm and challenged the Jerusalem leaders to rebuild the wall (vv 17-18). Immediately Sanballet and Tobiah labeled this project as rebellion against the king (v. 19). But Nehemiah was ready for their attack and stated that the God of heaven would help them succeed (v. 20).
Application
When I attempt to do a work for God, I can expect some will oppose me. Knowing God is behind me, as He was with Nehemiah, I just need to plan to move ahead in the face of opposition.
Nehemiah 2:9-20 (English Standard Version)
Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."
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