Nehemiah 6:1-9

The Voice

6 Once again, we found that our progress had been reported to our enemies. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab (as well as the rest of our adversaries) heard that under my leadership the wall had been rebuilt. Not one gap remained (though the doors still had to be hung on the gates). ²Sanballat and Geshem sent messengers to me.

Sanballat and Geshem’s Message: Come and meet with us in the plain of Ono, at the border village of Cheriphim.

They were planning to hurt me. ³So instead of going, I sent messengers back to them.

Nehemiah’s Message: I am in the middle of a great work and cannot be interrupted. I am not coming down to meet with you. What is so important that I should suspend this great work we are doing to travel to see you?

⁴This same exchange played out four different times: they asked for a meeting; I refused.

⁵The fifth time I was approached by a servant of Sanballat. He came with the same message, but this time he also carried an unsealed letter in his hand.

Sanballat’s Letter: ⁶A report has gone out to the surrounding nations that you are rebuilding the wall because you and your fellow Jews are planning to revolt against Persia. Geshem^[a] confirms this report and suggests you are looking to be crowned as king. Rumor has it ⁷that you have even appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, “Judah has a king!” referencing you. Be assured, this very report will make it back to King Artaxerxes. Meet with us at once.

⁸My message back to him was simple.

Nehemiah’s Message: There is nothing to what you are saying. You are making it all up.

⁹We knew our enemies’ intent was to intimidate us into stopping our work. They reasoned, “These Jews will stop rebuilding out of fear and discouragement. Progress will grind to a halt.” Instead I renewed my dedication, strengthened my hands.

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