Thoughts for the Day

Now when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah and to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall and that there was no gap left in it (though up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates). Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, ‘Come and let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.’ But they intended to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?’ They sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, ‘It is reported among the nations—and Geshem also says it—that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall; and according to this report you wish to become their king.... And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. So come, therefore, and let us confer together,' —for they all wanted to frighten us..’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

One day when I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house, he said, ‘Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, tonight they are coming to kill you.’ But I said, ‘Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!’ Then I perceived and saw that God had not sent him at all, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem; for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

As we can see the opposition now comes from the Gentiles around Jerusalem, as well as from within. It was difficult for Nehemiah to decide who to trust. He, and those rebuilding the walls were constantly plagued with doubts as to who were friends and who were enemies. Men they trusted often proved to be employed by their enemies. Failing to succeed by attacking those building the walls, they now turn their sights on Nehemiah's leadership, accusing him of planning to rebel against king Artaxerxes.

Shemaiah tries to deceive Nehemiah by getting him to lock himself in the Temple, which would have been disastrous, for it would have desecrated the Temple. However, Nehemiah takes stock of the idea and realises that such a suggestion cannot be what God wants. As always, he turns to God in prayer, before making a decision.

We can learn a lot from Nehemiah. When we follow God's ways we may face opposition, and life won't necessarily be easy. Sometimes, friends will turn out to be anything but friends, and will seek to lead us away from God. But if we depend on God and face our difficulties he will give us the strength and wisdom to proceed. With God's help we can make the right decisions and come through victorious.

Lord God,
help us to involve You in all that we do:
to make decisions,
and to plan the future.
Give us the wisdom to see what You want,
and help us to carry out Your wishes.
Give us courage and discernment
as we step into the future
knowing that You are with us.
Amen.