This week we are studying Nehemiah 6.
The city wall was almost complete. All that remained was setting the doors in the gateways. With the window of intervention closing, Judah’s local enemies kicked their opposition campaign into overdrive. This time around, they focused all their efforts on Nehemiah. Chapter 6 is a record of the various intimidation tactics they brought against him. As the visionary and leader of the wall project, he had a target on his back.
In earlier stages, the local opposition mocked the workers and insulted their craftsmanship to try and kill the morale (4:1-4). When that did not work, they threatened to knock off individual workers as soon as they let their guard down (4:8,11). With Nehemiah’s constant encouragement, the scared and tired workers refused to quit. Nehemiah, as governor, was at the forefront, reminding them, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome and fight for your kin” (4:14). Nehemiah’s habit of regular and spontaneous prayer sustained them spiritually. With intimidation and opposition coming at them from every angle, Nehemiah asked God to “strengthen my hands” (6:9).
