Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
April 15, 2021
Commentary
Since Sanballet and his friends had failed in opposing the work at Jerusalem, they decided to concentrate their attacks on Nehemiah personally. The walls had been completed and they were working on the gates (v. 1). Rather than opposing Nehemiah they now want to join with him. Satan used the following strategies in attacking Nehemiah and he is still using these same tactics today.
- Compromise – “We want to work with you.” (vv 1-4) – We are willing to meet you halfway was their approach. They invited Nehemiah to meet with them on the plain of Ono (v. 2), about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. The enemy’s strategy is, “If you can’t whip ’em, join ’em and then take over.” Nehemiah rejected their offer because:
a. He knew they were lying and wanted to kill him (“to do me mischief” v. 2).
b. He was convinced of the importance of the work (“I am doing a great work” v. 3).
c. He refused to be influenced by their repeated offers. Decisions based on conviction must stand. (“I answered them after the same manner” v. 4).
2. Slander – “We will tell everyone about you” (vv 5-9). – When his enemies realized he would not leave Jerusalem and meet with them, they tried another tactic. They sent an unsealed letter accusing him of trying to set himself up as king. They wanted the public to know the contents of the letter because they hoped to undermine Nehemiah’s authority.
Application
When opposition builds it is tempting for me to ask God to get me out of the situation. However, Nehemiah prayed, “Strengthen my hands.” Instead of trying to get out of situations, I need to remain steadfast in my responsibility.
Nehemiah 6:1– 9 (NET)
1 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and no breach remained in it (even though up to that time I had not positioned doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me saying, “Come on! Let’s set up a time to meet together at Kephirim in the plain of Ono.” Now they intended to do me harm.
3 So I sent messengers to them saying, “I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?” 4 They contacted me four times in this way, and I responded the same way each time.
5 The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand. 6 Written in it were the following words:
7 You have also established prophets to announce in Jerusalem on your behalf, ‘We have a king in Judah!’ Now the king is going to hear about these rumors. So come on, let’s talk about this.”
8 I sent word back to him, “We are not engaged in these activities you are describing. All of this is a figment of your imagination.”
9 All of them were wanting to scare us, supposing, “Their hands will grow slack from the work, and it won’t get done.” So now, strengthen my hands!