Nehemiah's Nemeses Return

I. A Scheme to Snatch (vv.1-4)

Nehemiah's enemies now try to trick him, unable to overcome him by previous threat and taunt. Nehemiah perceives the conspiracy of meeting at Ono. After all, Nehemiah has and is facing mocking threats. Instead of entertaining the plot, Nehemiah refuses to distract his time and effort, choosing to remain dedicated to his mission. Furthermore, the meeting was likely a dangerous one.

The plain of Ono is uncertain, but could have been on the borders of Ashdod and Samaria, hostile territories. The time was not right for a meeting like this.

Nehemiah proves to be perceptive, like because of his faithful prayer life. Because he has consistently modeled prayer, it's safe to assume this continual time with God made him sensitive to divine proddings. Knowing his enemies were dead-set on his destruction, Nehemiah refused the offer. Believers would do well to remember to always "test the spirits" to discern if something is "of God."

Nehemiah was persistent. He was firm in his principles and convictions. The mantra today is "tolerance" and "coexistance." Yet, that tolerance is typically withheld from the traditional Judeo-Christian worldview. However, this only proves how much Christians MUST live with firm conviction yet boundless compassion.

Nehemiah was resolute...he maintained his convictions beyond his initial response. Conviction is one thing, but to be unwavering in that conviction is another thing all together. Nehemiah would not be manipulated, and no amount of threat moved him from his stance. The same type of bold character is missing and sorely needed in modern society.

II. A Maneuver to Malign (vv.5-9)

One of Satan's most common ploys is to try and discredit the messenger. When faced with such disparaging remarks, the best recourse may be to refuse the charge and trust God with the results. Remember, the Lord wholly capable of settling all accusations in a righteous manner.

The open letter may have been intended to add external pressure to Nehemiah. Sanballat again uses the threat of rebellion, even claiming that the nations can back this claim up. Indeed, they even contend that Nehemiah wants to be king in Judah. While there were messianic expectations from the Jews, expectations that have been witnessed in the Ezra-Nehemiah already, Nehemiah has indicated no such aspirations.

The threat against Nehemiah is not dissimilar to the one used against Pilate when the pharisees claimed he was not loyal to Caesar if he let Jesus, and innocent man, go. The threat drove Pilate to execute Jesus, and dependent on one's own strength, it's a difficult threat to stand under. Nehemiah prays, then, for God to strengthen his hands.

It's almost certain that Nehemiah had long-term messianic hopes, but he remained loyal to Artaxerxes during the construction of the walls. Further, there is no evidence of Davidic lineage for Nehemiah. Wisely, Nehemiah diagnoses Sanballat's true intention: they all wanted to frighten us. Once again, Nehemiah interjects a quick prayer: O God, strengthen my hands.

The nature of an open letter is that anyone who encounters the messenger is free to read it. This letter accused Nehemiah of less-than-noble intentions and brought his integrity under fire. If it proved true that Nehemiah had traitorous intentions, his recall to Susa would be forthcoming quickly, if not worse. It would have been quite the temptation to take up the challenge, to demand innocence, to seek justice toward the slanderer. Nehemiah did not of that.

While handling ungrounded accusations can be difficult, consider using them as an opportunity to learn something about self, honestly evaluating the heart. Then, return to the Scripture and respond in a Christ-honoring way. Intercede for those who would slander you and resist the temptation to take revenge. If the conscience is clear after introspection, entrust the matter to God with a clear heart. Finally, remember that every trial is an opportunity learn about God and become more like Him.

Nehemiah also found help in the situation in his prayer life and in God's word. As he prayed, strengthen my hands, there seems to be a recollection of Isaiah's "weak hands" where he prayed for strength and courage, believing that God would bring retribution. Scripture can be excellent fuel for the prayer life, and when we pray according to the Word of God, we don’t need to worry about whether or not we are praying the WILL of God.

III. The Intent to Intimidate (vv.10-14)

Not much is known about Shemaiah (his name means “YHWH has heard”), and it's uncertain as to why Nehemiah meets him at his house, though he does have the ability for a possible meeting in the temple. His confinement to his house could be a prophetic symbol that suggests Jerusalem has enemies all around her. He warns Nehemiah that people are coming to kill you.

Nehemiah knows that going into the temple for such a reason meant that he could be executed. And, Nehemiah deems seeking shelter in the temple a cowardly move. Further, Nehemiah knows his prophecy is false and acting in cowardice would be sin because it would not faithfully trust God. To be afraid is to not walk by faith. There were people who were supposed to be godly in Nehemiah's life that tried to turn him from faith. The wording here seems to indicate that this is just an example of what Nehemiah faced.

The plots against Nehemiah become more dastardly. Visiting one of Jerusalem's prophets, he should have felt safe, but instead found a new enemy. Shemaiah was a hired hand in the next attempt on Nehemiah. His suggestion was to meet in the temple -- if political rebel wasn't a charge that would stick, maybe religious transgressor would. Because he was not a priest, Nehemiah was forbidden from accessing areas of the temple.

An assassination plot foiled, the next step was character assassination...damaging Nehemiah's character. If Nehemiah couldn't be stopped, maybe his influence could be. Once again, Nehemiah's response is prayer. It is a fit reminder that when believers face attack, don't seek harm for the attacker...seek God.

IV. A Feat that was Finished (vv.15-19)

The timing here indicates that it has been less than six months since Nehemiah spoke to Artaxerxes. The relatively quick rebuilding of the wall no doubt contributed to the fear felt by Nehemiah's enemies. It seems clear to the neighboring nations that this work was possible because it was accomplished with God's help. Despite their difficulties, it only took 52 days for the work on the wall to be completed. Nehemiah's enemies sought to intimidate him numerous times, only to find themselves the ones who were afraid when all was said and done. Such a large task could only be completed because of God's help. Nehemiah did not rely on his own abilities, but neither did he refuse to work. Instead, he faithfully plodded forward, trusting God and working shrewdly.

Much comes into view in the last few verses. Marriages between Tobiah's sons, remembering that Tobiah is an Ammonite, to Jewish noble families has created quite the alliance. This is rather ironic given Ezra's stance against intermarriage. Perhaps some of Tobiah's hostility is linked to Nehemiah continuing Ezra's work? An oath has bound many powerful Jews to Tobiah in opposition to Nehemiah. It appears that there has been a network of communication between the leadership in Jerusalem and Tobiah as many letters were passed between the two. Marriage appears to be the oath that has bound the Jews to Tobiah, and they tried to convince Nehemiah of Tobiah's good deeds in conjunction with letters meant to make him afraid.

By any means necessary, Nehemiah purposed to acknowledge God as the source of their strength. Throughout the account, Nehemiah begins with prayer, a reminder of how the believer must be dependent on prayer (1:4-11).

The reason he was able to leave Persia to undertake this mission was because God's hand was with him (2:8).

Then, in 2:18, those joining in the building project were encouraged by the testimony about God's gracious hand and scolds the scoffers by confessing that God will give them success (2:19-20).

Next, when morale was low, he reminded the people to remember the Lord (4:14).

As the men soldiered up, again attention was turned to God, this time as the One who fights for His people (4:20).

When the wealthy were oppressing the poor, they were reminded to fear God (5:9). As a matter of fact, it was only out of reverence for God that Nehemiah did not act similarly (5:15).

God had strengthened their hands (6:9) so that their enemies had to acknowledge that the work had been accomplished with the help of...God (6:16).

The attacks continue to come. Whereas the former attacks were rather straight-forward, now they come from oaths and alliances to Tobiah. The seeds of half-hearted covenant commitment again rears its head, a reminder that some Israelites were so in name in only.

Two lessons dominate this chapter: the enemy is subtle, but the Lord is sufficient. No believer is safe from the enemy's attacks. Even Jesus Himself faced harsh temptation from the age-old serpent. Satan said "get bread," a temptation to materialism, "please yourself," a temptation to hedonism, and "ignore God," a temptation toward a secular worldview.

And again, remember: the Lord is sufficient. No matter what you go through, the Lord is going to come through! It’s all part of his plan! Sometimes we are grieved — that’s His grace to remind us this world is not our home. Sometimes we’re tested — that’s to prove the genuineness of our faith, that we might find Him faithful. Sometimes we face trials…hardships…difficulties…valleys called “the Shadow of Death” — He’s teaching us how to loosen our grip on this world that we might cling ever-so-tighter to Him, that He might become our greatest joy, that we might willingly follow Him, that we might have the edges that don’t look like Jesus knocked off of our lives that we might live more and more for His glory. Yes, sometimes in life we have to go through some things, but no matter what you go through, the Lord is “gonna” come through, and at the end, we’ll remember that every hardship along the way was worth it…worth it! Why do we suffer? It’s God’s redemptive LOVE at work in our lives that we might shine our lights before men, that they would see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven, shaping us to hear one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Yes, no matter what you go through, the Lord is “gonna” come through, and the end of it all is His all-surpassing glory.