Response to Intimidation From Enemies

The intimidation.
1. First, Sanballat attempted to draw Nehemiah away four times in order to kidnap and kill him (1-4).
2. The second attempt was to make Nehemiah afraid by telling him of gossip and slander (5-9).
3. The third effort was to discredit Nehemiah by leading him to do a grievous indiscretion (10-14).
4. The fourth attempt was to sway Nehemiah’s judgments (17-19).
5. See that the clever and persistent attempts of evil men have mighty Satan behind them.
Faith enabled Nehemiah to respond correctly.
1. Specific responses to each attempt.
  1. Nehemiah saw their “mischief” (bad, evil, injury, wrong) (2).
  2. Nehemiah responded to the rumors by denying them (8) and prayed God to strengthen him (9b).
  3. Nehemiah discerned that God did not send Shemaiah (12).
  4. Nehemiah simply stood strong in his faith, not sinking into despair, but found in gratitude continued to work.
2. The enemies’ intention was that their hands be weakened for the work.
The work continued and the “wall was finished.”
1. Nehemiah received strength not to stop but to press on unto the completion of the work via prayer.
2. Prayer and continued in the great work indicates “that this work was wrought of our God” (16b).
  1. Even the ungodly will realize what Nehemiah knew: the strength behind the work is God’s.
  2. This knowledge invigorates us (cf. Col. 1:29).