Nehemiah Determines to Rebuild The Wall
November 2, 2019
Commentary
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 (NET)
9 Then I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, and I presented to them the letters from the king. The king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard all this, they were very displeased that someone had come to seek benefit for the Israelites.
11 So I came to Jerusalem. When I had been there for three days, 12 I got up during the night, along with a few men who were with me. But I did not tell anyone what my God was putting on my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no animals with me, except for the one I was riding. 13 I proceeded through the Valley Gate by night, in the direction of the Well of the Dragons and the Dung Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been breached and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 I passed on to the Gate of the Well and the King’s Pool, where there was not enough room for my animal to pass with me. 15 I continued up the valley during the night, inspecting the wall. Then I turned back and came to the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had been doing, for up to this point I had not told any of the Jews or the priests or the nobles or the officials or the rest of the workers. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have—Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” 18 Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard all this, they derided us and expressed contempt toward us. They said, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 I responded to them by saying, “The God of heaven will prosper us. We his servants will start the rebuilding. But you have no just or ancient right in Jerusalem.”